Letters to the editor: Ginsburg, masks

Fair play

Most of us learned about fair play during school recess, including the basic idea that everyone played by the same rules. Now, in the wake of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, that rule is going to be tested. In 2016, with more than 8 months to go before the presidential election, Senate Republicans refused to consider President Obama’s choice to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, insisting that it was too close to the election. Yet with just a bit more than a month to go until the 2020 election, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already said that yes, of course, the Senate will be acting on President Trump’s nominee, whoever that is. We should keep a close eye on Idaho’s Republican senators, Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, to see whether they believe in fair play or whether they think the rules should change depending on who’s at bat.

Lindy High, Boise

Ginsburg

Literally within hours of Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s passing McConnell revealed how duplicitous, despicable and unprincipled he is. After using the upcoming 2016 Presidential election- then 10 months away — to deny hearings for Obama’s nominee McConnell suddenly decided that now — less than 2 months from the 2020 election — to hold hearings as soon as a nominee is named. McConnell’s actions over the years are proof that the man cares nothing for the American people.

My sincerest hope is that the other GOP senators examine the depths of their souls and do what is right. They must put honor and principles ahead of party and the retention of power and honor RBG’s final wish: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”

The very soul of the GOP will be affected for a generation if those GOP senators do not honor her final wishes. They need to follow the precedent they themselves set in 2016 if there is even a flicker of honor and integrity in their souls.

Gilbert E. Beyer, Sandpoint

Masks

I am appalled at the number of people I see still not wearing masks in public places! The wearing of face coverings has been shown to significantly reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Yet I continue to see large numbers of non mask wearers in public places. Just this past week I was in Albertsons on Meridian and Fairview and saw no fewer than five customers maskless. I was in Wal-Mart on Ten Mile and saw up to 15 customers without masks! Come on people wear masks for my protection, I wear one for yours, plus I want the economy to open up so I wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19 so it will open up sooner.

I am a nurse at a local hospital and I have seen first-hand the power and destruction of COVID-19. The virus is not a hoax, it won’t go away on its own, we have to fight it with everything we have. One of the most effective is wearing a mask. It’s so simple folks!

I wear one over eight hours a day at work and then in public.

Judy Riley, Meridian