Letters: Readers discuss coronavirus woes, government overreach and Brookside care
The long game
War requires sacrifices from everyone. I gave up the freedom to leave my house because I have a heart condition. I gave up seeing my family until we have a vaccine for the coronavirus.
I think you will survive not going to school for a couple of months. You will also survive not playing baseball or softball for one season. I’m sorry you have lost something you love, but that is better than losing people you love.
This difficult time will pass.
In all U.S. wars combined, an estimated 1.4 million Americans have died. In this epidemic, 2.2 million Americans could die this year if we don’t take drastic measures, according to a new report from British researchers.
Buckle down and do your part. It’s painfully hard for all of us.
- Sarah Kabala, Overland Park
Out for No. 1
To my hoarding friends: Congratulations — you’ve squirreled away 1,000 rolls of toilet paper, 20 cases of bottled water and 500 rolls of paper towels. You’re set. Good job.
Oops. Word on the street is that supplies of ketchup, duct tape and Spam are running low. Go!
- David Springer, Kansas City
Gone too far
The Third Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ... or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
Has Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas gone too far? The mayor has no authority to abridge the right of the people to assemble freely. Neither does the president, Congress nor anyone else.
“You apparently healthy people can’t come together for any reason because you might, possibly, have an illness” seems like a giant leap of overreach.
If any church, synagogue, temple or mosque in Kansas City decided to have services as usual, any interference by government would be an illegal usurpation of its authority and resources.
It could be argued that such assemblies would be unwise. I suspect that everyone will comply out of common sense and self-interest. But such broad infringement should not be overlooked nonetheless.
- Michael Sands, Kansas City
That’s leadership
We watched Tuesday night as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke to the people of his city and our nation. How refreshing it would be to have someone in the White House who could speak directly to all of us in such an articulate way and without bragging or blaming others for problems.
I hope someone who can do this will be elected soon. Perhaps a few years from now, Cuomo will be president of the United States. He might be the strong leader whom many of us have been hoping for.
- Herman Kirkpatrick, Leawood
Letting us down
Where are those millions of test kits for the coronavirus? It seems that if we have a confirmed local transmission in Johnson County, we should be doing more testing, not less.
This doesn’t make sense. The government’s management of testing kits is ridiculous.
- Lawrence A. Schulte Jr., Leawood
Hotel owner
How much of the recovery package aimed at the hospitality and travel industries will go to the Trump Organization and the president’s supposed “blind” trust?
- John Nelles, Shawnee
More than service
Here’s a story to brighten your day. I was so excited to put together a unique science lab for my almost-10-year-old granddaughter’s birthday. She had wistfully perused the aisles at Brookside Toy and Science with me quite a few times. I had already bought a book — Rachel Ignotofsky’s “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World” — to go along with her gift.
However, enter COVID-19. To my amazement, I find myself in that high-risk category: Apparently I am “old.”
I called the store and described what I was trying to do. Holly spent 25 minutes describing beakers, flasks, squiggly and fun tubes. She sent me photos and prices, helped find things on sale and compiled a price list. One hour later, I drove to the back door of the store and Holly brought the lovingly wrapped birthday gift to my car, while she kept a safe distance. She was as excited about the present as I was.
I told Holly that I grew up going to this store. What I did not tell her was that my beloved granddaughter suffers from celiac disease and is determined to find a cure for it.
This entire experience was like a beautiful hug. Thank you for your kindness.
- Christine Glenski, Overland Park