Letters: Readers discuss COVID-19 haircuts, mandatory masks and thanks for caregivers
It would move me
The Prairie Village City Council is scheduled to consider at its May 18 meeting an ordinance requiring the wearing of masks inside public places. (May 6, 9A, “Prairie Village considers indoor mask requirement”) Based on a recent experience, I strongly encourage it.
On Monday, I sat in my car outside the Price Chopper at K-7 highway and Shawnee Mission Parkway as my grandson drove in a separate car to buy my groceries. I counted the people wearing masks, and it was about one in 10.
I would gladly drive to Prairie Village to do my shopping in a safer environment. We all need to step up to the plate to stop this virus.
- Lorita Crane, Shawnee
In his hands
I was in the same boat as Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly recently.
I have a favorite hairdresser, but with the coronavirus pandemic, I have not left my house since March 12. Consequently, my hair has grown to a state of wild superfluity.
Melinda Henneberger, your fine columnist, wrote about Kelly’s haircut predicament Monday. (7A, “Laura Kelly reveals the stylist behind her lockdown haircut”) After reading the column, I asked my husband, Chuck, if he could trim my hair. He cut our sons’ hair when they were little fellows. Today, they are in their 60s.
I began to have second thoughts. My husband is good with his hands, and being a retired wheat buyer, he could qualify as a barber.
Yesterday, I said, “Let’s do it.” My husband placed a bar stool on our back patio and instructed me to sit. He wrapped a towel around my shoulders and, using his office scissors, he cut my hair.
When this pandemic has passed and we are back to our regular routines, I will have to explain to my hairdresser when she says, “I told you not to put a scissors in your hand.”
- Betty Swisher, Kansas City
Mask snitches?
There is a major difference between manners and morals. Manners help prevent hurt feelings. Morals help prevent serious damage. Columnist Cynthia M. Allen has the two deeply confused. (May 6, 11A, “Be a neighbor, not a ‘Karen,’ as life resumes”)
She thinks it is wrong to call out neighbors who disobey health regulations such as orders to wear masks. No doubt social pressure would hurt your feelings and create conflict. But wearing masks has the deadly serious purpose of preventing your own undetected and asymptomatic coronavirus from infecting and killing other people. (As an added benefit, it might save your own life, without you being aware it happened.)
Social pressure is society’s first line of defense against harmful acts. Allen’s idea that “no greater good is served by ratting out your neighbor’s kids” is exactly the logic that helps so many criminals escape justice.
I grant that refusing to wear a mask is an attenuated evil that most of the time doesn’t directly matter. Nevertheless, those who refuse to wear masks are indirectly encouraging the social conditions of masklessness that, with perfect certainty, will sometimes make all the difference between life and death.
- David Burress, Lawrence
Left’s wish list
Congratulations, Democrats: You are well on your way to fulfilling your dream of destroying America, with China’s help of course. What’s next on your agenda?
- Bob Berry, Oak Grove
Keep thanking
The coronavirus pandemic has had a drastic effect on all our lives, but I want to take a moment to recognize our local health care professionals who are working tirelessly to treat those in our communities. Many are on the front lines, sacrificing their time, energy and even their own health to ensure our health and safety.
A newfound appreciation for these individuals comes as we celebrate National Nurses Week, which runs May 6-12. As businesses in parts of the Kansas City area begin to reopen and we transition into the next phase of battling COVID-19, it’s more important than ever that we thank our local nurses, doctors and health care professionals.
As a registered nurse and program mentor helping to train future nurses and health care professionals at Western Governors University Missouri, I have had the privilege to support our front-line workers during these difficult times. I’ve witnessed their passion and dedication to serving those in need, and because of their efforts, we have made immense progress combating COVID-19.
These local heroes deserve our unending support. Today, this week and in the months ahead, be sure to take a moment to reach out and express your gratitude to them.
- Rebecca McGaughy, Kansas City