Letters: KC readers discuss Kansas COVID quackery, Chiefs memories, failed Spain coup
This is harm
Do no harm: This sums up the core tenet of the Hippocratic oath. This oath is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “embodying a code of medical ethics usually taken by those about to begin medical practice.”
Kansas state Sen. Mark Steffen, who is also a physician, probably took this oath upon getting his medical degree. However, one wonders about his expertise because of his promotion of the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19, both of which have been shown ineffective against the virus and are in some cases harmful to individuals. Neither drug is an antiviral.
“Do no harm” can also apply to people who don’t work in health care. For example, the Legislature has passed a bill to block the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts’ ability to investigate doctors (including Steffen) who promote the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19.
The board of healing arts’ mission statement reflects safeguarding the public through licensing, education and disciplinary measures of those who practice the healing arts in Kansas. It is our firewall against malfeasance.
It is unconscionable that Kansas legislators have passed a bill that ties the hands of the board of healing arts because one of their own is being investigated.
- Rhoda Wisman, Topeka
That’s hope
I remember the sunrise two years ago: It was red. Literally. This was a sign, along with the fight music on the radio. I was fired up for the Super Bowl with our Kansas City Chiefs versus the enemy, the San Francisco 49ers.
Soon, we gathered with our friends for the game. We believed in superstitions. Halftime came, and we moved inside to switch things up, because things weren’t going well for our Chiefs.
The tide started shifting in our favor. Slowly, step by step, play by play, we started to come back. Maybe it was more than superstition. Maybe it wasn’t. But the Chiefs did it. They not only made a comeback, but they won. In the final minutes, the last seconds, our hearts went crazy.
Looking back, what I especially remember was that this was one of my happiest memories before the pandemic. Life was “normal.” We didn’t worry so much. People weren’t hurting and suffering so much. I pray we get back to that place very soon.
I thank the Chiefs for giving us hope (for the third year in a row), for teaching us to persevere, to believe, to never give up — and for making winter, and even this global health crisis, more bearable.
- Carla Thomas, Lee’s Summit
From history
An interesting example from history might prove enlightening for us today.
In 1969, totalitarian dictator Francisco Franco of Spain was nearing the end of his life, and he signed a law of succession naming Crown Prince Juan Carlos as his successor. He and his fellow fascists believed that Juan Carlos would be their puppet, but he proved them wrong. He carefully and steadily moved Spain toward democracy, as he reintroduced political parties and loosened restrictions on the media.
However, Francoism refused to die. In 1981, 200 of the Civil Guard, a fascist group led by Lt. Col. Antonio Tejero waving his pistol, entered the parliament building and staged a coup d’etat. He and his men threatened Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez and even shot submachine guns into the air. Suarez calmly faced them down — all of this being shown on TV to the entire country.
King Juan Carlos later appeared on television and said, “The Crown, the symbol of the permanence and unity of the nation, cannot tolerate, in any form, actions or attitudes of people attempting by force to interrupt the democratic process.”
Tejero and his ringleaders were sentenced to 30 years in prison, and Spain remained a democracy.
- Terry C. Rodenberg, Greenwood
Past censored
I recently watched a “60 Minutes” story about indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to forget their cultural upbringing and heritage. It was very hard to watch through my tears.
Might Republicans in power move to ban similar shows that might be offensive, as they think some books are? What’s to stop the so-called “critical race theory” morons from burning TV shows next?
- Jerry England, Kansas City
This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.