Fear is powerful

Dear Editor,

Many state politicians rushed to increase restrictions to position themselves as proactive. Many policies were counterproductive. Several stay-at-home restrictions were created based on the assumption that people would forget to implement the measures. We would forget our masks and to remain separated by six feet. The policies took this into account. However, they forgot that people are social beings. Long periods of overzealous restrictions would eventually be ignored or openly fought. Less restrictive realistic scientifically based measures would have been more likely to be followed for a prolonged period of time.

Quality of life is as important as quantity.

Several policies are counter to known science. Even prior to COVID-19, we knew that outdoor elements reduce respiratory disease transmission. UV light dries droplets reducing virus lifespan. Wind disperses droplets reducing geographic viral load. The sheer volume of evidence demonstrated that outdoors are safer than indoors. However, parks and playgrounds were closed. Still, several individuals feared COVID could be different. So, epidemiologists demonstrated that even COVID infections were much more likely to have occurred indoors than outdoors. Fear wasn’t calmed. So, the CDC showed, scientifically, that COVID particles live much longer indoors than outdoors. It seems nothing can calm unrealistic fear. Nature parks and playgrounds should never have been closed. Once the science proved fears incorrect, they should have been opened immediately. They should not be included in reopening phases. Based on scientific evidence, they shouldn’t have been closed.

Several news organizations loudly supported continuation of over restrictive policies in article headlines. They pointed out that premature removal caused large rebounds during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918. Buried in the articles are much less totalitarian restrictions. In 1918 only “indoor public gatherings” were prevented. Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters, were closed. Schools were closed. Churches were allowed to hold services outside. Factories do not meet definition of public gatherings.

The worst part of COVID fear is that realistic facts and concerns are censored. Discussing supply chain implications and economic impact is “heartless.” Some want to do everything possible to isolate society, to stop COVID, regardless of implications. They want those they silenced to pay for the extreme measures even if, in the end, nobody can afford the cost. It is easy to ignore reality when you expect someone else to pay. You cannot force others to bury their heads in the sand.

Alan Burke

 

 

Ready For November

Dear Editor,

Our medical commander in chief, Donald Trump, has commented in a press conference that disinfectants could perhaps be taken orally or injected into the body to fend off COVID-19.  The November election can’t come soon enough.

Bob Kollar

 

 

Words to Live By

Dear Editor

…We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

From the NC Constitution

Right of assembly and petition.

The people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the General Assembly for redress of grievances; but secret political societies are dangerous to the liberties of a free people and shall not be tolerated. 

Religious liberty

All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.

Alan Marshall

 

 

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