Letters to the editor | Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019: Health care, Trump, environment, personal data

You miss it most when it’s gone

I’ve had health care most of my life. Growing up, I never realized that having regular checkups could become such a privilege. I had no worries when it came to sickness or poor health because I knew I would get better after a visit to the doctor.

That all changed when my father lost his job three years ago when his health deteriorated and he could no longer meet the physical demands. Not only did he lose his income, he lost his health insurance that everyone in our household was on, including my mother, my sister, and me. Now that I don’t have health insurance, I’m afraid of getting sick. Getting sick for me now means that I stay home and hope I get better.

It’s worrisome how common it is for people in my community to lack health care. Many of my peers in school don’t have the benefit of going to get checkups. I wish health care were more affordable so I could have that luxury again. Everyone should be able to afford it. People should be more concerned about healing their injuries instead of how much their bill will be.

Supreme frustration with health care

I am a working American, and I’m frustrated with our healthcare system. We have to endure high copays and premiums, but we don’t receive the health care we pay for.

When I had MediCal, it provided better coverage than the insurance I receive with my current employer. Now, I have to fight with my insurance company to pay for doctor visits because they are quoted wrong, and I have to wait very long to get approval before procedures are done. One time, my primary care doctor had to call to call my optometrist to urge them to see me immediately, otherwise my vision would be at risk. The optometrist refused to see me without a referral for fear that they would not get paid. Luckily, I had a doctor who cared; otherwise, they would have sent me in circles.

We recently got an email at work notifying us that our health insurance would go up. Everything seems to be going up but wages. We need a living wage that helps us to keep up with the cost of living. We need free health care for all, at all income levels.

Thoughts on loyalty oaths

The Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that it is just as much a violation of your First Amendment rights for the government to make you say something you don’t want to say as it is for the government to prevent you from saying something you want to say. Some think it’s a good idea to call out those who refuse to recite the pledge as disloyal. These sentiments are an open invitation to tyranny.

The oath taken by new citizens includes, “I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.” There is no mention of a biblical deity or flag. It also suggests that our national loyalties are negotiable: We are rejecting previous loyalties as we choose new ones. Those new loyalties are subject to scrutiny also.

During and after the Civil War, loyalty oaths to the country were pervasive. One result was described as the “cult of the flag.” Loyalty, it seems, cannot be instilled by an oath but by being convinced that one’s country is worth living in.

Keep a tight leash on that guy

If Trump was so concerned about corruption in Ukraine, he should have made Giuliani stay home.

One veteran’s perspective on Trump

I don’t know when or where you served, but to me (Army vet/82nd Airborne), the draft dodger-in-charge will always be a slimeball.

For the “believers:” God did not make Trump president!

Just say “no” to plastic straws

Did you know something as small as a plastic straw can be detrimental to our planet? Plastic straws don’t decompose. This can create a problem by harming animals and the environment. Marine species are often victims to this plastic epidemic because they unfortunately mistake plastics for food. This can cause blockages within their digestive systems and ultimately lead to death.

There is a solution. Plastic straws can be replaced with a more sustainable product. It’s important to say “no” to plastic straws and start using reusable straws made of steel, bamboo or glass. These straws can be used multiple times and can be recycled.

Ditching plastic straws reduces the amount of plastic swirling around in the ocean. This can positively impact underwater life by decreasing their chances of ingesting plastic.

Although we are living in a plastic world, it’s important to realize that there are alternatives and your actions make a difference. Vow to never use a plastic straw again and make the switch to a reusable straw.

Coffee pods hurt the environment

Nearly one in three households own a single-serving coffee maker using coffee pods. They may claim to be recyclable, but the reality is that almost none are. Most coffee pods are plastic and enough are discarded each year to circle the earth many times over. The metal cover also adds to the waste stream. Plastic straws were banned in some municipalities, but I’ve heard of nothing regarding the plastic waste from these single-use coffee pods.

There are alternatives. I used to use a cheap funnel drip unit which had a small filter basket. It sat upon a mug and used boiling water from a tea kettle. I believe that it cost about $2 many years ago.

Reusable filters can be used with your single-cup machines. Keurig has a disposable filter for their machines. Others are Ekobrew and Fill N Save which may be compatible with others. After they are used, you could go another step further and compost the grounds and filters and add nutrients to your garden.

Nature attests to climate change

I have been vegetable gardening in the country for 35-plus years. Listen when I say, I haven’t seen a bumble bee for five to seven years. I’m not interested in the news but I have been listening to what’s being shouted (by nature) on climate change. It’s not just over there or somewhere else — it’s in our Valley. It’s at our door.

I live on an almond and beef ranch. We’ve had to dig a new well. There’s a lot of acres of trees which use chemicals, pesticides, herbicides. It’s as if I’m watching this in slow motion, slapping me ever so slowly.

I am standing up and saying, “How much more do we need?” Or we can wait until one of our children or a loved one gets cancer. Then will we slow down and say no more.

How to protect personal data

If your cellphone or computer is on, your location and personal data are being actively monitored, shared, and saved for a profit. Data in this sense generally includes phone number, GPS location, purchase history, online navigation history, home address, and more. Recently the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 was passed to minimize the abuse of personal data. On Jan. 1, when the CCPA goes into effect, everyone should opt out of data sharing. Californians should see a link titled “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” at the top of every company home page. Click the link and follow instructions.

Just while I have been researching this topic, advertisements across several websites I have visited shifted to show me two separate VPNs (Verified Private Network) and one privacy browser. Through my actions and private information, a company made a profit.

Our world is changing rapidly with the development of technology and it is up to us to stay alert and take action when our rights are at stake.

Thank you for saving my arm

It happened in the afternoon at the parking lot of McHenry Village. My left arm got caught and stuck in the lift as it was closing on the facility bus. I dropped the remote and it was out of reach. I was screaming with pain and called for help. Six or seven men heard me and came to the bus. They patiently searched for the remote; it was hard to find.

I still am not able to verbalize this incident to my family because of the trauma. I cannot thank enough those people who heard my cry for help, came, and saved my arm. My arm is getting better. I don’t remember anyone’s face but I will never forget each response.

This officer deserves praise

These days law enforcement officers are getting a lot of bad press. Some deserved, some not. This letter is a shoutout to Officer Frank Neves. I appreciated his very respectful manner in a hard situation.

This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019: Health care, Trump, environment, personal data."