Letters: Readers discuss Tyrann Mathieu’s ‘toxic’ truth, Alzheimer’s care, road trash

Some are toxic

I am asking as politely as possible: Please quit bashing the players and coaches of the Chiefs, this remarkable team we all so adore and love. Allow these men and women to make mistakes and learn from them, without making them feel that they are horrible players and coaches. Hearing about what Tyrann Mathieu and Anthony Hitchens said about the culture among some Kansas City fans is true and embarrassing. (Nov. 1, 1B, “Mathieu says he regrets calling Chiefs’ fan base ‘toxic’”)

What these men do on and off the field for the city is remarkable, and we need to support and appreciate them. Please remember that nobody is perfect, and that includes all those who want to send horrible hateful remarks to people who give you the ability to have pride for such a great city.

I am a forever Chiefs fan, and I accept the good and bad games. It is not like we won every game for 50 years. Come on, everybody. Be better fans, win or lose. Go Chiefs!

And thank you, Tyrann and Anthony, for the truth. Sorry for the haters.

- Jennifer Lambertz, Corolla, North Carolina

Lead hazards

When I read the American Medical Association’s findings that Missouri children have higher lead levels than children in Kansas, I was disheartened but not surprised. (Oct. 2, 15A, “Study: Most children in Kansas, Missouri have lead in blood”) The findings are consistent with racial segregation and income inequality that also divide the two states.

While the study found higher lead levels for children living in poverty in Missouri, for the Kansas City metropolitan area, high lead levels probably also skew toward communities of color. The region has some of the sharpest lines of segregation in the country, with African Americans making up a quarter of the population to the west of Troost Avenue and 70% to the east, according to the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A single lead testing center is located on Troost Avenue, but my search for lead-testing centers on the Kansas side turned up little information, signaling the problem’s locality is well known.

Any “significant progress” to remove lead exposure mentioned by the study is clearly still disproportionately absent for lower-income and African American families on the Missouri side, and that should urgently signal city planners to replace their decrepit piping.

- Sarah Lynn Milgrim, Prairie Village

Down the drain

I’m sorry, but I can’t figure out for the life of me why fiscal conservatives keep voting into office people bent on wasting taxpayer money on lawsuits that cost their states millions of dollars and generate nothing but more lawsuits.

- Sue Wright, Liberty

Lend a hand

Recently, President Joe Biden recognized November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. His calls for more research for a cure and support for caregivers rang true to me as a caregiver for my wife, who suffers from Alzheimer's. The caregiving needs for someone living with Alzheimer’s are extensive and increase over time — on average four to eight years following a diagnosis. Many family caregivers juggle competing work and family priorities. Caregivers are often stretched thin. Most could use help but are too overwhelmed to ask for it or reluctant to prioritize their own needs. Few feel arrange for self-care when their spouse is suffering from this disease.

This November, the Alzheimer’s Association-Heart of America Chapter is asking Kansas Citians to lend a hand. Take time to support a caregiver you know. Run errands. Help with a household chore. Give caregivers a break by spending time with the person with dementia, and educate yourself about the disease.

The more you know, the easier it will be to help. Reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org to learn more and get involved. These small gestures will go a long way in supporting caregivers during a year that has been challenging for all.

- Steve Kidwell, Kansas City

What a mess

I totally agree with the Oct. 31 letter writer who noted that our highways look like the city dump. (20A) It is a disgrace and an embarrassment to our city that this has not been taken care of. It truly gives visitors to Kansas City a bad impression. I hope this can be addressed.

- Phyllis Sell, Lenexa

This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Tyrann Mathieu’s ‘toxic’ truth, Alzheimer’s care, road trash."