Letters: Readers discuss KCI post-COVID, uplifting news and making masks political
The fallout
Have we considered what the loss of air travel revenue will do to the bonds issued for the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport? Default, anyone?
- Rich Beck, Olathe
More uplifting
I am a print subscriber and really appreciate the Uplift section, especially in these times. I do have some suggestions for improvement, however:
▪ Use more local subjects for landscaping; California advice doesn’t apply to Kansas City.
▪ KCQ is wonderful, but we could use some shorter, more frequent articles about the same type of subjects.
▪ Suggest local trails to walk.
▪ Point out impressive local architecture.
▪ Feature descriptions of native plants and birds with photos and where to find them.
▪ Write about more local nonprofits, volunteers and innovative helpers, and not just for COVID-19.
- Laura Bosnak, Overland Park
Let’s see names
I thought your recent editorial about the ridiculous last-minute bills being introduced in Jefferson City was spot-on, and I hope you can take that subject a little further. (May 8, 8A, “Allowing brass knuckles and feral hog hunting? Lawmakers have gone off rails”)
In a future opinion piece, why don’t you print summaries of those bills with the names of the representatives or senators who introduced them, together with the names of cosponsors? I think we voters ought to see what our elected representatives are doing, and printing those names would give us something to discuss with those politicians. It would be interesting to see how those folks defend their positions.
Similarly, I’d like to see the names of representatives and senators who believe that overturning Clean Missouri is a good idea. I sure want them to face us and explain why voters are so stupid.
- Jim Carney, Gladstone
Hot-potato masks
Sunday’s front-page story about the use of face masks (“Emotions unmasked: Do you wear a mask? Kansas City and the nation divided over this COVID-19 question”) was interesting and anecdotal, but it did not present scientific or medical facts about the effectiveness of wearing a mask to prevent the spread or contraction of COVID-19. There are plenty of experts on both sides of this issue.
People can choose to wear or not wear masks for their own level of comfort. Some say wearing a mask helps prevent spread while others say a mask does not block the tiny COVID-19 particles. Touching the mask and prolonged use of the same mask can cause problems as well.
It would be nice to read actual facts on the positive and negative aspects of wearing a mask, as opposed to just offering a lot of people’s opinions while making the issue about politics.
- Karen Miller, Kansas City
More for them
I read with interest Sunday about the folks who refuse to wear masks. I wore my first mask in 1973. If only some people would, or could, read news that’s been reported widely, they would see that the paper or fabric masks protect you from barely anything.
To protect yourself, you need a flexible, form-fitting mask that has the proper filters and has been pressure-tested on your face so it is airtight. These paper masks do help protect those around you — namely your spouse, kids, mom and dad and so on.
- Warren Hood, Joplin, Missouri
Still rocking
With the death of Little Richard, the last man standing of the 1950s rock greats, which included Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, is “The Killer,” Jerry Lee Lewis. (May 10, 20A, “Flamboyant musical icon was self-proclaimed ‘architect of rock ‘n’ roll’”)
Long live rock ‘n’ roll.
- Mike Brown, Kansas City
Safe in Indy
As a lifelong resident of Independence, I want to thank the Independence Police Department for the wonderful job it does protecting our city. I feel safe living in Independence, and I believe getting tough on crime is a very effective policy. Most residents agree.
Independence has a fraction of the drug-related problems, murders and other crimes that Kansas City has.
- Tim McCullough, Independence
Back to eat
When you dine in at a restaurant reopening under social distancing guidelines, be kind enough to not sit there for an extra hour just because you haven’t done this for a while. Tip well and move along so they can clean and serve more customers. The waitstaff and owners need the turnover to offset the fewer number of tables they’re allowed to fill, besides the months they had little or no income.
- Laura Easley, Olathe