Letters: Coronavirus, Bill of Rights, Medicare and more | May 21

Wear masks to win his business

With over one million Americans infected and over 70,000 dead from coronavirus, the forecast is for the pandemic to continue into next year. Magical thinking has failed to reduce the disease and no miracle made it disappear.

Coronavirus is known to be very contagious and a cough will send a mist of infection up to 12 feet with the mist lingering in the air. Masks provide a convenient means to mitigate the threat of spreading infection.

Economic forces are compelling our return to work, shopping and school, but authorities acknowledge there will be a cost in human sickness and death.

I commend businesses requiring their employees and customers to wear masks when stores are open for shopping.

For the near term, my preference is for on-line ordering with curbside or parking lot delivery. Drive-through windows should be staffed by workers wearing masks and workers approaching my car to deliver my orders should also wear masks. I will do business where having employees and customers wear masks is policy.

Contrary to some, all isn’t lost

Well, as expected, our political Monday afternoon quarterbacking and second guessing has started, including contributions from our local 30-day political pundits. Many more guesses and criticisms will appear from others too who have been untested by the pressure of command responsibilities during a crisis. Have mistakes been made? Of course. Have there been over- and under-reactions? Of course. Could we have done better? Yes. Rather than complain, let’s contribute what we have learned.

I have learned that I have better things to do than sit and watch overpaid adults play a game and perform Broadway and Vegas shows when they make any play. I have learned that the book is better than the movie. I have learned that my family really is a joy to be with. I have learned that my neighbors step up and meet the problem head on. I have learned that most of the nation voluntarily sacrifices for the general good. I have learned that most of us are not panicked by the Chicken Little assumptions of many media know-it-alls. I would like to expect that others will contribute what they have learned in a nonpartisan context. Keep positive. Contrary to some, all is not lost.

Bill of Rights allows worship

Thank you, Carolee Brydon, for your fine letter on May 10. Yes, actual earthy water for Holy Baptism, bread and wine for the Eucharist! The Word became flesh, receive, eat and drink, Christ is truly with us in Word and Sacrament, and couples together before the altar exchanging the sacred vows of marriage. In boldness and in faith, church doors need to be open for all. The Bill of Rights declares freedom of worship.

Letting folks catch virus really dumb

Regarding Clint Didier suing Gov. Jay Inslee, over alleged violations of the right to bear arms, free-speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to fish.

Before the virus hit, I became very sick. Since I believe “Jesus (God) still heals the sick,” I went to a church hoping to be healed by Jesus or his delegate (the minister). They were not very friendly, including the minister who told me to leave. I told him I believed in “the freedom of religion” and the right to go to church! I also wanted to tell him that “I’m also free to take a gun wherever I go…. (like those John Dam Plaza protesters) and may return with one. But, I didn’t. I wonder if I have a case.

Everyone should have “the right to bear arms!” Even children, and with recent school shootings, who better to defend children then children? (they wouldn’t be afraid to shoot guns). Terrorists and the mentally-ill should also, that way we’d “know” who they are, and could “take care of them.”

… No, wait!!! That sounds about as dumb as when Didier said, “We can take care of the virus by letting people catch it.”

Now that was really dumb!

Battelle campus closure not clear

Saturday afternoon I was taking photos of the water feature near the submarine sail on PNNL campus. A security guard informed me that I was not allowed to take photos; however, if I moved 35 feet off PNNL campus, I could take photos.

This situation made no sense. I called (PNNL) Public Relations and complained that I had been removed from campus. Pete Tensmeyer, Physical Security Manager, returned my call and informed me that I was trespassing. He stated that only visitors invited on campus were allowed. I indicated that I was willing to submit identification, etc., to access campus for taking photos of water features. He stated that was not considered official business and therefore not allowed.

I further stated that signage seems to be appropriate if the public is restricted from the campus. He stated that two signs are posted on George Washington Way. The next day, I tried to find these signs and found two small signs that could not be read from the curb. Trespassing was among the restricted activities. It appears that the PNNL campus is more restrictive than our two major state military installations. All PNNL land, including Battelle Boulevard, is now closed to the public.

Simple solution for leveling COVID

(It’s) Shocking our media has not clarified: USA “levelling” of 24,000 new COVID-19 cases/day is appalling compared with Korea “levelling” of 0 new COVID-19 cases/day even while much business is open.

Walla Walla can easily eliminate COVID-19 using and scaling this model** which is much less invasive than has been reported.

1) One walk-up and one drive-up test booths manned by one person.

2) A lab that can analyze seven tests per day with 24-hour turnaround.

3) Tracing and tracking are done by the County Health following strict HIPPA privacy. Alerts are sent to your cell phone to avoid areas with known anonymous positives. (software available: Korea and Microsoft).

4) Positives requested to immediately quarantine at home or hospital if short of breath.

5) Businesses not wishing to participate display “NOT SCREENING:” avoid at your discretion

**http://www.moef.go.kr/com/cmm/fms/FileDown.do?atchFileId=ATCH_000000000013739&fileSn=2

He can’t imagine Medicare for all

I would like to thank Rick Stachowiak. His response to my letter proved my point by mentioning the options available when you reach the Medicare age.

Also, does he or any other reasonable person think that “Medicare For All” would in any way resemble the current Seniors Medicare program?

No! It would be a socialist program delivered and managed by democratic socialists. Meaning, very simply, it would be deficient in every area of service to those dependent on it. It would limit even more the reimbursements to doctors and hospitals and could, if implemented in the way I foresee, trash our pharmaceutical industry and prescription delivery system.

We’re not talking about a program being the equivalent of the system which serves our elder population well. And, “supplemental policies?” Does anyone think that these will even exist? Socialists want the control over the populace and economy that this system would allow them.

Nope. I think most citizens analyzing this issue will see that this is not a benefit, instead it’s a control issue that will be extended in future generations.

It’s not about health and welfare “for all.” It is a far-reaching plan to domination by a segment of government!

This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Coronavirus, Bill of Rights, Medicare and more | May 21."