Letters: KC readers discuss coronavirus tips, Jerry Moran’s help and grocery workers
Keep yourself safe
We all thank those of you who are working at grocery stores and restaurants that offer carryout and delivery. Be careful. Pretend you have the contagious virus without symptoms. You want to protect yourselves and your coworkers, parents and grandparents.
Don’t crowd together. Stay six feet apart or more. Wash your hands and change gloves often. Handle products carefully. The coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours.
And when you get off your shift, wash your hands before you go home, and your car’s steering wheel and door handles. When you get home, change clothes and shoes at the door, then bathe.
- B.J. Maddox, Kansas City
Personal liquidity
I continue to read about more and more companies and government agencies adjusting payments or extending terms. With so many of us staying home, KC Water, the city water department, should adjust water rates and especially wastewater fees.
- Larry Janacaro, Kansas City
Helped home
We read mostly negative comments in these letters, but here is one of high praise for Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran.
My son and his wife were on a trip to South America and became stranded in Lima, Peru. After making a call to Moran’s office to ask for help in getting them home, I was so surprised to get a call back within 20 minutes from a person requesting the names and phone numbers of my son and his wife.
My son received a call from Moran’s office, and the couple got a plane home two days later, along with many other Americans. Five days later, I received a call asking if all was well with my son and his wife, and my son got a call as well.
That is a real testimony of great service from the Moran office. Thank you.
- Karen Lillian, Overland Park
Make it wider
I am a retired registered nurse, and I recently sent a letter to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson with my recommendation that he issue a statewide stay-at-home executive order.
In it, I stated that because of my background growing up on a farm in Saline County and working in health care, I see public health from a statewide and national perspective. I know it’s of the utmost precedence at this time.
My daughters are also nurses, and we all know the importance of protecting the health care workers marching into the fields of war each day to fight this battle. They return home after work and hope not to spread the virus to their families and friends.
The current plan of allowing individual cities and counties to institute their own stay-at-home orders is totally inferior to a statewide effort. This patchwork approach allows for the spread of the virus to more people.
I believe failing to institute a statewide order will allow the virus to spread more rapidly and cause an increase in the number of deaths of Missourians.
I request your urgency on this issue, Gov. Parson.
- Clay H. Marcusen, Kansas City
Just sitting there
The state closed Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri, this past year. What is the possibility of using that former men’s prison for emergency hospital beds?
It probably could hold 1,000 patients. It has a food service area, medical examination rooms, a pharmacy and plenty of office space.
Has anyone asked the governor about this?
- Jim Helton, Kansas City
Keep us fed
Friday morning, I set my alarm so I could join others who are 60 or older during the 7 a.m. shopping hour at my local Hy-Vee for those whose health is at highest risk. The mood among the shoppers was quite somber. They were polite and kept their distance.
I was so amazed at the store’s employees. They were upbeat and helpful, and I find it amazing that they are there for me and my fellow Mission residents.
I was worried about going to the grocery store in this pandemic. The Hy-Vee workers are there most of the day just for us, and they show great attitudes and work ethics.
Thank you to all those workers in the grocery industry. I appreciate you more than ever.
- Cindy Long, Mission
Pet paean
My sister has a rare lung disease and has a compromised immune system. She is grateful Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas locked down the city.
When her daughters bought her a cat to keep her company while quarantined, she named it Lucas to honor the mayor’s actions.
- Charles Bishop, Kansas City