Letters to the editor | Sunday, April 5, 2020: Will coronavirus spawn new Renaissance?

Something grand could follow coronavirus

That millennium between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance got nicknamed the Dark Ages for its lack of historical records and cultural contributions. Marauding tribal armies terrorized people. Those armies morphed into warlords commanding castles who somehow became nobility while religion sanctioned all acts from imposing cathedrals. All the while, the rich made the rules and the poor toiled in extreme income inequality.

In 1347, ships sailed from the Black Sea to Italy bringing stowaway rats infested with plague-infected fleas and “The Black Death.” The population of Europe dropped 100 to 200 million in four years. Suddenly, the labor shortage made people – even the poor ones – worth something. The next thing you know, a Renaissance broke out.

If you like silver linings, it might be argued that another Renaissance may be waiting on the other side of this current plague. Anyway, it’s fun to think of how historians might regard our age sometime in the far-off future.

Crippling our economy seems reckless

I’m not a prophet, but occasionally have a prophetic insight I’m led to share.

Recall the irrefutable evidence of the existence of weapons of mass destruction that led to the overwhelming congressional vote to take out Saddam Hussein, and the nearly mass amnesia not long after that the “proof” was proven wrong. Recall the derision of Romney’s claim that Russia was our biggest threat, followed not long after by the mass hysteria of Russian interference in our presidential election.

Now, impress in your mind the unanimous consent of the current policy to shut down American commerce. Fast forward a few months or years; will we see a mass condemnation for a reckless reaction? Too often, our rearview mirror is prescient.

Fear fuels conspiracy theories

Social media can be used to promote truth, support the good and otherwise spread common sense. I am shocked at the number of people falling prey to the conspiracy theories and overall stupidity that can also be a major part of social media.

I asked a long-time acquaintance who is yelling about martial law and “10 days of darkness” and promoting fear of our military if she ever stopped to think through what it is she is sure is happening all around us. This person will wave a flag during a parade when soldiers march by, will scream that we all stand for the flag or we are not real Americans and call anyone who suggests that all authority needs oversight a “socialist.”

My prayers are with them. Their behavior is fueled by fear. I know what it is like to be afraid. I am grateful for those who promote calm and social responsibility. We are in this together and need to remember that we stand on the shoulders of the greatest generation. How we react during this time can define us — let’s make that definition one of common sense, common good and common ground.

If you love them, leave them home

I work at a big box store. People still bring their children to the store. Not only are they exposing the workers to any illness they have, but more importantly they are exposing their children. If their children come down with the virus, they can die, alone.

Why would you choose to risk that fate to the children you love? Please leave your children at home. Keep them and others safe.

Good catch at Port of Stockton

I see a report about a sharp-minded individual at the Port of Stockton uncovering some 16,000 N-95 masks and some 37,000 regular masks in storage for the Red Cross. In this time of shortage of these supplies, my compliments go out to him.

Please remember not to hoard toilet paper or chloroquine.

Blaming China does no good

Republican Senator Martha McSally is calling for the director of the WHO to step down because he is covering for China about reporting levels of coronavirus. She is in a long line of Republicans blaming China to divert from the poor response by the federal government.

To all of our leaders in D.C.: Get off your butts and start leading. You can blame China after.

Oh, the horror of it

I think the television ratings Trump crows about regarding the White House COVID-19 briefings are a result of the fascination many people have for horror movies. You just can’t look away.

On the one hand, there is Dr. Tony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, to a lesser extent, presenting horrible information about the impact COVID-19 is having on our country. On the other hand, there is Trump and his sycophants, who are horrifying in their ineptness, ignorance, self-aggrandizing and misinformation.

Trump is this country’s leader, a truly horrifying fact.

Mixed messages from the top

I received a postcard with the words “President Trump’s coronavirus guidelines for America.” These are not his guidelines. They were developed by the CDC, the surgeon general and other doctors who know the danger of this virus. When I was in college, using another person’s writings and taking credit was called plagiarism.

This card comes from a president who, at one of his fundraisers, was seen on television making a sarcastic, smirky face and saying this was just another scare tactic being made by the Democrats to discredit him. He then appears on national television a week later and tells America how serious the problem is and how he alone will be our war leader to save America. Against what the surgeon general says, Trump on television tells America the problem should be wrapped up by Easter and we should gather in churches to give thanks.

As an MD stated on the internet, those dangerous instructions will lead to a viral disaster for America.

Be careful with beloved Muni

Our Modesto City Council intends to remove the old Muni Golf Course and replace it with a housing project that includes low-income housing. It seems to be our history, to eliminate old Modesto. Are we any better off? Remember, once it’s gone, you can’t put it back. I know Muni is expensive to operate but the new housing will also have costs in city services. Common sense tells me we could eliminate some consulting fees and government waste. That is why we elected you.

Another housing project requires as part of its approval a bike lane on Ninth. We did this on College Avenue. How’s that working? Very minimal use.

My memories of old Modesto cannot be taken from me, but please leave and restore what’s left (old post office, Southern Pacific train depot, etc.)

A majority of home owners in the area are against the proposal. Old Muni has many stories including filming of the first Academy Award-winning movie of the year, (1927) “Wings.” I am so glad Andy Silva doesn’t have to see this. As Mark Twain said, “If voting made a difference, they wouldn’t let us do it.”

Taxpayers have had enough

Re “Show appreciation to teachers” (Letters, March 22): Please stop comparing apples to oranges. Prop. 13 failed due to people finally coming around to see the true cost of schooling, incorrectly referred to as education.

I witnessed some of the worst education and lack of safety for our children, even though law and board policy should have prevented any of it from happening. It’s interesting that warm, cuddly articles can be printed, no matter how untrue they are, but proven, negative articles can’t. Children, just as adults reading newspapers, are taught what to think, not how to think.

Garbage men are not paid by taxpayers and guaranteed a job for life thanks to strong unions. They are not guaranteed retirements that bleed our tax base. They do not have a federal department, a state department, a county department, every district with an office full of administrators.

I have the utmost respect for education and absolutely none for schooling. It’s time to expose the difference. People who threaten standard operating procedures becomes targets. Please stop spreading word garbage. Remember, one good dog can herd a flock.

This story was originally published April 5, 2020 at 5:41 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Sunday, April 5, 2020: Will coronavirus spawn new Renaissance?."