Letters to the editor: Clean energy, mask shaming, voting, workers

Clean energy

Since 1901 and the state’s first hydroelectric plant, clean energy has provided a steady current of opportunity to our state. Our long-standing resourcefulness has put us at the forefront of the United States’ clean energy boom and only behind Vermont in the highest share of clean energy produced. But clean energy keeps Idaho running in more ways than one.

Closing out 2019, the clean energy industry supported more than 13,000 jobs statewide. While the pandemic squeezed these numbers in the short-term, a history of consistent demand growth, at both the corporate and individual consumer level, paints a promising picture for continued growth post-pandemic — given the industry is appropriately supported in recovery.

I’m thankful to Gov. Brad Little for recognizing Sept. 21–25 as National Clean Energy Week in Idaho and for his leadership on this issue. Recognizing the critical importance clean energy has played in Idaho’s prosperity over the last century shows how it will continue to play into the 21st century.

Judy Strickland, Meridian

Stop mask shaming

This letter is in response to the letter from Kat Lee, Boise, on Sunday, Sept. 6.

You dressed down an elderly woman who you obviously frightened at The Home Depot. Shame on you and shame on the Idaho Statesman for publishing your temper tantrum.

You referred to this woman as elderly, so she’s part of our vulnerable population. Maybe she is diabetic or has a spouse with heart disease. COVID-19 could be fatal to her or loved ones. You could easily be asymptomatic and shedding virus. It is less likely to spread the virus from 6 feet away (if you were actually 6 feet away), but it is not impossible. How was she to know you’re not one of the 40% of virus spreaders who show no symptoms. It seems to me that the woman was the one exercising common sense.

Nicole Haworth, Boise

Voting by mail

President Trump’s mouth says, “Voting by mail is going to cause the worst election problems ever seen.” Why, then, did his fingers send me this text: “ Pres Trump: I have an urgent message. I need you to request your ballot like I recently did myself for our FL Primary. Request your ballot now.” Maybe he’s suggesting I try to vote in Florida and mess up their perfect system. All I know for sure is that it’s imperative that we all find a way to vote. And, do it just once.

Dennis Hall, Boise

Protect workers

As COVID-19 jeopardizes people’s jobs and livelihoods, Idaho workers unfortunately can not count on our state for protection. Idaho ranks a disappointing No. 43 on the annual Best States to Work Index (oxfamamerica.org/covidmap) published by Oxfam America. Even worse, we were almost at the bottom — 47 — when it comes to unemployment assistance.

So what did the state Legislature do last month in its special session? It protected businesses by passing civil liability immunity protection against COVID-19 lawsuits but did nothing to protect workers.

Unlike so many others, our state does not mandate paid sick leave or protect workers from forced return to work, nor has it placed a moratorium on shutting off utilities. This leaves working families exposed to the pandemic with few protections against poverty and despair.

With such deep peril and no action from the state, the federal government should be stepping up now, passing more relief packages that tackle the current emergency and providing support to the unemployed. At the very least, the $600 federal unemployment supplement should be continued until unemployment rates fall below a reasonable threshold.

We can do better, and we must.

Betsy Dunklin, Boise