Letters: KC readers discuss pandemic alcohol, AMC’s business model and society mourning
Not to drink
According to recent Nielsen data, U.S sales of alcoholic beverage sales have risen 55% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hard alcohol had jumped 75%, wine sales 66% and beer sales 42% at the end of March.
I have noticed the liquor department at my grocery store has had no problems keeping the shelves filled. Why have I not been able to find a single bottle of rubbing alcohol in the last five weeks?
- Mary Rouen, Blue Springs
Service, please
Your April 16 editorial, “Moviegoing and AMC Theatres are at risk,” (10A) looked at problems the local movie chain faces. I’m afraid those problems are much greater than just getting people back into its buildings.
Over the years, AMC and other chains have looked for ways to cut payroll (and customer service) and have turned their concessions into almost self-serve areas. You grab your tub of popcorn from a warming tray, then go to the soda fountain and fill your cup. I can’t see this continuing in the world’s current situation.
On a good contract with film companies, theaters may receive 15% of every dollar spent at the box office. This will not be enough to keep them profitable. Their money comes from concessions, where a large popcorn’s cost to the theater (tub, raw corn, oil and labor to pop it) is less than $1.50 but it’s sold for as much as $9.
Should self-service food and drinks become off-limits, it’s obvious that AMC will have to pony up and have employees actually help customers if it is to remain in business.
- Michael Smith, Lee’s Summit
Greatest needs
For Missourians with developmental disabilities, preserving funding in the state budget for residential support, disabilities, employment and day habilitation services is essential.
Without proper funding, essential front-line staff cannot maintain the health, safety and lifelong support of Missourians with disabilities who strive to live as independently as possible and maintain employment. Furthermore, without proper funding from the state, it is nearly impossible to attract, hire and retain front-line workers. Cuts in funding mean Missouri’s most vulnerable get left behind.
The pandemic has exacerbated the issue. Expenses from COVID-19 continue to grow. The Center for Developmentally Disabled has spent $50,000 on personal protective equipment to keep our staff safe while we care for residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There has been no financial help from federal or state resources, and the provider community cannot absorb these expenses.
I am asking the Missouri legislature and Gov. Mike Parson to preserve funding for essential services that help ensure Missourians with disabilities are able to live and work successfully in the community, and to request federal funds to address the expenses of caring for people with developmental disabilities during this global crisis.
- Sarah Mudd, CEO, Center for Developmentally Disabled, Kansas City
Observe together
Now that the national COVID-19 death total has passed 58,000, it is time for President Donald Trump to declare a national day of mourning with a service at the Washington National Cathedral. May Day on May 1 would be an excellent date for this sad ceremony, which should be broadcast on TV and radio nationally.
Such an event would salve the hurting nation’s wounds as we collectively continue battling this invisible enemy. Who could possibly not be in complete support of honoring the tens of thousands of our fellow citizens cruelly taken away by the vicious virus? The president would be derelict if a major recognition is not planned soon.
- Joe H. Vaughan, Prairie Village
Sincere caring
New York hearts go out to the Kansas farm family who gifted our state an N95 mask. (April 24, KansasCity.com, “Retired Kansas farmer donates mask to NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo with this heartfelt letter”)
America the beautiful — one America. God bless these new honorary New York family members. Our governor was truly touched by this gift, as were all New Yorkers.
We have family members in the health care field, whom we worry about, and when strangers care for them, too, we appreciate it.
Our prayers go out to them and to all Americans affected by this terrible crisis. God works in miraculous ways. He sees this country in disarray and stress and sends us all the same mountain to climb together — or fail together. This gift of one mask shows the test has had an effect.
We will return this gift some day when Kansas is in need, from our family to all of you. You won’t have to ask. Thank you for caring.
- Frank C. Fox, Mahopac, New York