Letters: KC readers discuss an anti-vaccine deal, Josh Hawley and Arrowhead drinking
Two simple steps
With acknowledgments to Jonathon Swift, I have a modest proposal that would address our disputes over vaccines and mask requirements and provide an opportunity for anti-vax, anti-mask adherents to put their words into action:
1.They could simply sign an advance directive waiving medical treatment for COVID-19 infections for themselves and their families. 2. They could then sign a document accepting legal liability should they infect innocent parties.
This would be a bold move that demonstrates their convictions and allows them to walk freely among their fellow citizens.
- Mark Hastert, Kansas City
Dangerous games
People of Missouri, pay attention: Your attorney general, Eric Schmitt, has sold you out and forced your Department of Health and Senior Services, local public health departments and school districts to try to protect you with their hands tied behind their backs.
He is trying to destroy public health when we need it more than ever. He is restricting the type of information health departments can disseminate and services they can provide with regards to statistics, quarantines and isolation of contagious people.
Schmitt is following the attempt of his predecessor, Josh Hawley, to throw Missouri residents under the bus when he filed a lawsuit that would have permitted insurance companies to deny coverage for preexisting conditions. Our current attorney general has issued rulings upending restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the worst possible time.
I am a 79-year-old retired military veteran and a proud Republican for most of my life. If Eric Schmitt thinks he is a Republican, he has been drinking too much of Donald Trump’s Kool-Aid. Trying to destroy Missouri’s public health system to garner a few misguided votes tells you a lot about Schmitt’s priorities and moral compass.
- James Porter Gann, Lanagan, Missouri
Super service
I recently read a letter from a reader who was very frustrated by efforts to contact the Kansas City city manager. I, too, have had frustrating experiences of late.
However, in following up on several issues, I had the pleasure of talking with two exemplary customer service representatives in the Kansas City 311 action center. They are Karin and Nichole. They are true assets to the city’s staff and deserve to be celebrated publicly.
We need more people like this in these very important positions. In many cases, “customer service” is a misnomer.
- Kathleen Leach, Kansas City
Not for all of us
Many thanks to The Star for telling the solid truth about Sen. Josh Hawley. Sunday’s front-page story “Josh Hawley vs. the truth” offered a deep analysis not only of Hawley’s lies but of the strategic practice of many politicians’ lies, of which Hawley has become an expert. What he has done and, with others, is doing is outright dangerous to our democracy.
Former Sen. Jack Danforth’s better-late-than-never insights about Hawley were encouraging, and I hope he can do more. So soon after the death of Sen. Bob Dole, who knew how to lead in effective across-the-aisle governance, this article draws the contrast sharply.
For me, it is an embarrassment that Hawley is one of Missouri’s senators. I can’t claim him as “my” senator.
- Jane Fisler-Hoffman, Raymore
It’s irresponsible
A Chiefs superfan ejected for fighting, and another fan killed in a fight after he tried to get into the wrong truck at Arrowhead Stadium — both instances allegedly involved drinking. If you have been to a recent Chiefs game, you’ve witnessed the amount of alcohol that is consumed. Legally drinking is great. Abusing it isn’t.
We’ve all seen the traditional “kiss cam.” The camera scans the crowd. When it stops on a couple, they are expected to kiss. I attended a recent Chiefs game and was disappointed to see that the “kiss cam” has turned into what I would call a “chug cam.” When the camera stops, the crowd expects you to chug your drink. I think most people would agree that this doesn’t encourage responsible drinking.
For the sake of the fans who drink responsibly, I wish the Chiefs would do away with this practice.
- Frank Fernholz, Overland Park