Letters: KC readers discuss good press for Greitens, COVID-19 masks and GOP attacks
Don’t forget
I am trying to understand why Eric Greitens should have received a positive news story for distributing face masks. (April 2, 4A, “Former Gov. Greitens delivers protective masks to KC police”) And just where did he find all these masks?
He is a disgraced ex-governor who had to resign. Unless you read to the end, the story made it seem as if he just stepped down, not that he was accused of violently sexually assaulting a woman and using a phone app that allowed him to get around Missouri’s Sunshine Law. The state couldn’t convict him of using the Confide app because nobody could find any messages. Duh — that’s the whole point of using the app.
I think any government representative caught using message-destroying apps should be removed from office. If they are using these apps, it’s because they have something to hide.
Please don’t hold up Greitens as a good man, because he’s obviously not.
- Teresa Hellman, Prairie Village
Mask details
The press and internet are abuzz about homemade masks for coronavirus protection, mask shortages, mask-making and mask regulations. The only thing nobody discusses is cloth.
As a home sewer, I wish to pose questions about homemade masks.
Many sources say that T-shirt fabric is good. Now, T-shirts mainly come in two fabrics: 100% cotton and poly/cotton blend. Is one better than the other? Is a new T-shirt better than an old one? What about a brand-new T-shirt that has been treated with sizing to make it look nice in the store? Will a smooth polyester strand let a droplet slip through the mask? At the molecular level where viruses live, these are important questions.
The same questions apply to woven cotton, which is often suggested for masks. (How many of us can tell the difference between pure cotton fabric and a blend?) Perhaps an absorbent face mask damp from one’s breath is a breeding ground for viruses that would otherwise dry up and die.
Some hard-hit nations have ordered all citizens to wear masks. But unless the masks are of fine quality, they could make the danger greater, not less. We need scientific answers to questions like these.
- Eileen Chase, Kansas City
Safety mindset
I have been following the mask-versus-no-mask debate with great interest, and I understand the issue with ordinary people taking masks away from medical professionals who have the potential to save many lives.
However, as a recent retiree from a company working hard to develop an employee culture of safety, I believe one element is missing from the national discussion. That is that the simple act of wearing personal protective equipment can not only reduce an individual’s likelihood of harm but also can raise people’s level of safety awareness, making them more alert to dangerous situations.
An N95 mask may be more protective against an airborne virus, but even a folded paper towel held on a person’s face with rubber bands will cause a person to be more safety-conscious and to avoid dangerous situations.
The coronavirus pandemic is a clear and present threat to our lives, and every available precaution should be taken to protect ourselves and our communities.
- Frederick H. Gustin, Leawood
Confusing rules
I have been staying home, and I closed my little business to keep my family and partners safe. But most people I know who have small businesses — tanning salons, for example — are staying open. Even some huge companies are operating, not to mention liquor stores.
So my main question is who can stay open and who can’t? It confuses me.
In my opinion, everybody should stay home. It seems as if 20% cooperate, and the rest just don’t care.
- Epi Haro, Bonner Springs
So one-sided
The Star’s email “Coronavirus Update” newsletter Tuesday had an entry saying, “Partisan politics are still in play,” naturally citing as an example Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s observation that the impeachment effort distracted the federal government from focusing on the coronavirus outbreak. I say “naturally” because The Star’s knee-jerk reaction is always to attack Republicans.
There are thousands of examples of unending partisanship from the left (House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s constant railing against the president’s response or Rep. Adam Schiff’s insistence that his response must be investigated).
Why must The Star always attack only the right and always give a pass to Democrats? Don’t you realize how unfair your reporting is, or do you just not care?
- Donald Bayer, Overland Park