Letters: 3 Eyed Fish, face masks and more | May 29

Don’t shred safety net while cutting

State revenue is estimated to drop $7 billion through 2023 (Seattle Times, May 5). People want to make cuts to the state budget, but please don’t forget the mistakes made during the 2008 recession: cuts to critical safety-net programs will only further hurt those already impacted by this crisis.

By law, only 15% of Washington state’s budget is discretionary. Do you know what falls in that 15%? Support for affordable housing, social services and other investments that allow our communities to thrive. Cutting services (which you may need some day) is not the solution.

Instead of cuts that will keep Washingtonians down, we should assist people to regain their ability to contribute to our economy. Let’s consider bold new ways to create sustainable jobs (i.e. modernizing infrastructure) and increase revenue. A capital gains tax, making only marginal impact on wealthy residents, would be a start. How about using revenue from fines on people who refuse to wear a mask? These funds could be used to help pay the costs from COVID-19 illness spread by these selfish people. Contact Sen. (Sharon) Brown and Reps. (Brad) Klippert and (Matt) Boehnke to tell them to repeal some of the 500 plus tax exemptions, not shred our safety net.

Restaurant event endangers us all

I was astonished to read that 3 Eyed Fish, a locally-owned restaurant in Richland, chose to host a party in violation of the state's Stay Home, Stay Safe order. Despite advanced warning that the event would be in violation of the law, they chose to host more than 200 people, who were observed to be flouting social distancing and mask wearing guidelines.

COVID-19 is not a game. 3 Eyed Fish has put our entire community at greater risk. There is a very real chance that members of our community will pay for this foolishness with their lives. And by making it easier for the virus to continue its spread, they've made it more likely that this area will be stuck in Phase 1 even longer, making survival even harder for businesses that are making the painful but responsible choices required to keep our community safe.

I am saddened to see the community's safety betrayed by a local institution, and I will certainly never visit 3 Eyed Fish again. Any business that puts its profits above my, my family's and my community's safety has no business in the Tri-Cities.

Leaders need to take same risks

One doesn’t have to look hard to see a cause for one of the major problems affecting our society today—polarization of income and wealth.

We are facing a serious dilemma between saving lives and saving jobs. I am very sympathetic to people who want to return to work, to support themselves and their families, who think the cure is worse than the disease. But who gains most from this with the least risk is the business owner.

The working man is the one putting himself, his health and his life on the line. He should therefore be able to negotiate his value with his employer. I worry about the alternative, that those returning to work might have to accept a reduction in pay because businesses are struggling.

The “elites” are not just the governors and the medical experts who are making difficult decisions keeping people at home. The “elites” also include members of the presidential staff and Fox News pundits. They are not assuming a similar risk to their health, despite aggressively encouraging others to return to work.

As leaders, shouldn’t they be demonstrating that they are willing to take similar risks?

Too many ignore need for masks

I am deeply troubled by the number of people who are still not wearing face protection in public. Even more alarming are the people who, gathered in large groups, loudly protest the stay-at-home orders. I finally came to the realization that only one thing will change this behavior — intubation.

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: 3 Eyed Fish, face masks and more | May 29."