Letters to the editor | Sunday, July 26, 2020: Stanislaus COVID non-enforcement must be reversed

Stanislaus leaders: Revoke non-enforcement decision

The oblivious reaction of the County Board of Supervisors to the pleas of frustrated citizens and the warnings of their own Public Health Officer concerning the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Stanislaus County is infuriating. As our numbers of cases grow exponentially, our percentage of available ICU beds dwindles into the single digits, our hospitals ship patients off to other counties and school districts can’t safely open schools, this tone-deaf body stubbornly clings to its infamous order to not enforce the wearing of masks in public, social distancing, or gathering in large groups. Given the circumstances, this non-action is senseless.

But politicizing this pandemic is ubiquitous, and we, sadly, are no exception. Why else would Supervisor Withrow share that his brother’s case of COVID amounted to just a runny nose and a headache? Perhaps to illustrate that 99 of 100 cases are “harmless”? And why does our county’s curve so closely resemble those of states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona?

Leaders are required in times like these, not slavish servitude to the president.

Lee Tidball, Modesto

Stores, please keep customers safe

A large part of the argument to reopen the economy during this pandemic has been to prevent businesses, especially the small and local ones, from failing. I try my best to shop local and shop small when possible. However, as I venture out to patronize businesses I see that employees are often remiss to remind patrons to follow their stated rules of mask wearing and social distancing.

I understand their hesitance to confront a patron on what has strangely become a hot button issue. I once politely asked a man to leave a little more distance from me in line at the grocery store and he told me to shut up. But I often wonder what other health and safety policies — such as requiring employees to wash their hands after returning to work or requiring patrons to wear shoes and shirts upon entry — are also not enforced at these businesses.

If people do not feel safe inside a store, they will not want to shop there and will instead shop online, diverting desperately needed sales tax. Additionally, we must all choose to be civil and respect a store’s stated policy.

Betty Gay, Modesto

Be less selfish; wear a mask

My husband and I rode our bikes to the downtown Farmer’s Market. I remarked to him that every week it seems like more people are wearing masks as we have been requested to do. So I was disappointed to see a young woman not wearing one, chatting and smiling, coming toward me. Without really thinking I said to her, “did you forget your mask?” She replied with a wave of her hand, “I don’t need to do that” and continued walking. I was stunned at her attitude and callous disregard for others, and speechless that I didn’t have a quick retort to offer.

My husband and I fervently wish that people of all ages had the health of seniors like us in particular, and the general community’s best interest on their minds. No wonder California is doing so poorly in handling this pandemic. The lock-downs will just continue and businesses will suffer economically and people will continue to fill your hospitals.

Come on, folks. Let’s get on the same page, and wear your masks so we can say bye-bye to COVID-19 sooner rather than later.

Marilyn Rowland, Modesto

COVID approach becomes political

My disappointment and frustration with the lack of leadership both on a county and city level has been building for some time.

It’s pathetic that local political leaders have made public safety and science a political issue. Their political ideology is expressed in not wearing masks. Shame on them.

When it comes time to vote, I will be sure to call out and remind others the lack of leadership exhibited during this challenging time.

Denise Crosby, Modesto

Increase virus help for Latinos

We are experiencing an epidemic in Latino communities throughout Stanislaus County and our so-called leaders at the county and city levels are not addressing the issue. An epidemic is defined as “a disease or virus that is centered in a particular community or region that is spreading like wildfire.” Latinos make up 47% of the population of Stanislaus County yet we make up 73% of the positive cases for COVID-19. Three of four positive tests for COVID-19 are Latinos.

Stanislaus County has received at least $96 million to address the pandemic. We still do not have appropriate testing sites in our Latino communities and outreach has been poor. We ask for an investigation into how Stanislaus County is spending the money specifically within Latino communities in the areas of testing, education and outreach, distribution of masks and other protective equipment and immediate release of funds to assist our business community.

If this epidemic was in the white community, we would not be having this conversation.

John Mataka, Patterson

Libraries provide needed escape

Our library branches have adapted to social distancing so we can still access books and DVDs. Having options to take our minds off current news events for a time has made a huge positive difference for so many staying home. We can thank the library for helping us to become travelers, adventurers, scientists, detectives, financiers, doctors, artists, chefs — so many things.

The staff of the Modesto branch should be acknowledged for consistent good cheer and courtesy. Whenever I climb those steps, anticipating the adventures awaiting me inside the books I’ve checked out, the library staff always tells me, “Enjoy your books!”

The set-up is simple, yet effective and safe. I order and hold books online. They send an email when the books are ready to pick up. I call the number and go up those steps. The friendly security guard uses the radio to let them know I’m there. They place the books on the tables across the front door for contact-free pick-up.

Our community voted to continue the sales tax specifically for the library. Now aren’t we glad we did?

Ann Marie Mangini, Modesto

How to help isolated seniors

Hospitality House, an assisted living community in Salida, needs your help in connecting isolated community members with each other, friends, family and the greater community.

This pandemic shows the importance of individuals acting with a common goal of keeping each other safe and well. Social isolation in assisted living communities is at an all-time high. Supportive action is needed for our residents, who are older adults and frail elders. Due to the pandemic, residents can no longer dine together, or be in any group setting.

Here are some ways you can help relieve the isolation:

• Donate radios, boom boxes, cds, dvds, ipods, ipads and tablets
• Get your school or group to write cards to residents
• Deliver flowers and books or magazines that can be brought to individual rooms

We are all in this together. To help the Hospitality House Assisted Living Community, email sally@askdrsal.com.

Claudia Ramirez, activity director, Hospitality House

We’ve seen this before

I turned on my local TV news station and thought I was watching an old war movie. Storm troopers were clubbing and beating people in the streets and then dragging them into vehicles to be taken to only God knows where. But then I realized I was watching the news and these thugs were federal agents and not German Gestapo storm troops beating Jewish citizens. I read Trump is planning to send his federal storm troops to Chicago and maybe other cities throughout our United States.

Where does this craziness stop? When will people realize we are being led down the same crazy path that the German people followed in the 1930s? Hate “all those people” who are trying to take away “our rights.” That is what the German people heard before the start of WW II.

E.J. Erwin, Ceres

Harder pushes college access

Representatives Josh Harder (CA-10) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Success for Rural Students and Communities Act. The bipartisan bill aims to improve college access and success for rural students by spurring innovation and investment in new strategies to prepare them to complete their credentials and step into high-demand jobs in their communities. This is just one example of the great work Josh Harder is doing for California District 10. He has my vote — again.

Kathleen Peixoto, Oakdale

This social doctrine makes sense

Where would we go to find a workable, proven social doctrine that answers all of the woes of society? Beginning with the individual person, what teaches us that each person has an equal dignity and is entitled to justice under the law and to openly express their conscience?

What social doctrine professes that the family is the fundamental building block of a healthy society, where children can be educated to learn love, responsibility toward others, morality, purpose, and their connection to something larger than just themselves? And that the government is required to foster and protect this unit for the benefit of all? The family provides the opportunity through hard work to acquire wealth enough to have security and to understand that excess wealth is to be shared with others. Human work allows the human individual to be creative and productive.

Strong volunteer associations add to the matrix of bonds within communities, and government should always operate at the lowest level of its competence in order to avoid destroying community. No form of government is perfect in its extremes, but moderation is key to human happiness.

I recommend you read the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine.

Gary Nelson, Modesto