Letters: KC readers discuss world population, banned workouts and COVID-19’s aftermath
Too many people
The coronavirus outbreak is truly a terrifying crisis. Millions, maybe tens of millions of people could die. But this pandemic has been predicted by scientists for a very long time.
In Biology 101, one of the first things you learn is that if an animal population increases unchecked, it will eventually reach a point where it will crash, or at least be greatly thinned out.
The world’s human population has more than doubled in the last 50 years, and we are now seeing the effects of this huge burden on Earth’s resources. Pollution, climate change, mass starvation, wars and deadly diseases are all mechanisms by which nature is trying to limit a further increase in the number of people.
As a species, we need to learn to self-regulate the human population, instead of just trying to mitigate these mechanisms. We might manage to control the coronavirus pandemic, but if we don’t learn to control the world population, humanity will face one crisis after another, potentially much worse than this.
- James Meyer, Lenexa
Christmas gifts?
With the stay-at-home rule in effect, should my obstetrician colleagues be getting ready for a tidal wave of “coronavirus babies” arriving around Christmas Eve?
Ho, ho, ho.
- John R.W. Taylor, Kansas City
Look for light
Back in the day — two weeks ago — when you could just stroll into the gym and exercise, a woman called me a curmudgeon. Never mind why. I wanted to be offended, but she was right.
I have been called other things, but never Pollyanna. Understand, therefore, that the idea I now share is not rooted in naivete, rose-colored glasses or failure to grasp the seriousness of this crisis.
I hereby challenge everyone to take one (or more) of three actions every day: First, make someone smile. Or laugh out loud. Second, share a piece of good news, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. And, finally, commit a random act of kindness.
Yeah, these actions will have to be completed electronically, or at least within the confines of social distancing. The alternative? There really isn’t one.
Sam McDowell’s article “Kansas City bands together to help during coronavirus” (March 22, 8A) is an admirable example of how the news media can show a modicum of balance in a landslide of otherwise tragic news.
Mother Maybelle Carter exhorted us to “Keep on the Sunny Side.” She was no fool. Dig as deep as you can for any shred of hope. And share. There’s a pony in there somewhere.
- Mike Kreiter, Overland Park
Health in action
I rely upon a workout regimen developed over the years with physical therapists and physicians. Research has shown that exercise is the best medicine. It is better than pills for many conditions. I cannot just move my workout outdoors. I don’t have the money or space to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of fitness equipment.
By shutting down health clubs, the government has essentially cut off my prescription medicine and is providing no options or assistance. Within another week, I expect hip problems that previously required shots to treat. Back problems and blood sugar issues will quickly follow .
I doubt I can even get in to see all the doctors I will need to cope with issues that I have been treating with exercise.
Please, reopen health clubs with suitable precautions: masks, disinfectants, gloves or whatever is needed. It is criminal to take away medically tested and approved medical treatments from people like me.
- Dave Wakefield, Olathe
The long game
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is this: When facing a difficult decision, ask yourself, “Who do I want to be on the other side of this?” We all have difficult decisions to make in the wake of COVID-19. So who do we want to be on the other side of it?
Do you want to be the person who followed medical guidance for the common good, or the person who chose to disregard it as media hype?
Do you want to be the person who supported our local businesses, restaurants, health care workers and grocery store employees in uncertain times?
Do you want to be the person who has enough toilet paper to get through the 2030s, or the one who shared with those in need?
Living through this time of trial and trouble, do you want to be a person who changed for the better?
We will get to the other side of this. How we do that will depend largely on how you — yes, you — answer this question today and every day: Who do I want to be on the other side of this?
- Brandon Frick, Site pastor, Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch, Olathe