Letters to the editor | Monday, July 27, 2020: Modesto’s homeless need help washing hands

Help homeless with hygiene

I’m wondering why the powers that be here in Modesto appear to be doing very little, if anything, to assist the homeless here with regard to the coronavirus issue. One would think that having people living on the streets, with no place to wash their hands regularly as recommended and lacking the funds to purchase the required masks, would be of utmost concern.

We get blamed for just about everything else bad that happens, but I would really hate to get blamed for infecting someone with the virus simply because I’m unable to keep my hands clean or afford a mask. Either this virus thing isn’t as bad as it’s being made out to be, or we, the homeless, are considered expendable. Well here’s a news flash: I don’t consider myself expendable even if I am 65.

Tom Tamoca, Modesto

Masks might have averted spike

I thank all you fools who stopped wearing masks when the state began reopening. Because of your carelessness, vanity, and stubbornness, we are now in a worse place than two months ago. Not only did the shutdown cause many to lose wages, but when businesses are closed and people can’t afford to spend money, tax receipts are reduced.

Since you decided that the virus was no big deal, our ICUs are now filled to overflowing and we are getting shut down again. Beyond that, caring for the sick and PPE for the caregivers is costing the the government a ton of money that could have been better spent elsewhere, like schools. If everyone had worn masks over the last two months we would not be having the current spike in cases and schools might have been able to open.

This virus is not going away any time soon. It is highly infectious. It kills. Everyone can help by simply wearing a mask in public. Other countries where everyone wore masks continuously have stopped the virus in its tracks and have been able to open up, while still using masks. A mask is more comfortable than a ventilator.

James Peck, Modesto

Mandate sex traffic awareness

Sex trafficking is rampant in our community. Educating our youth on warning signs could be the key to preventing this wave of crime. This industry thrives because there is a high demand, especially in our state. The industry is infiltrating our community but through awareness, we will be one step ahead.

Sex trafficking education should be a part of mandatory health classes in Stanislaus County. A local organization such as Without Permission would give a presentation to equip adolescents with the necessary tools to recognize, prevent, and speak out against trafficking. In addition, parents and guardians would be educated on how they can do their part to prevent trafficking.

Our duty as a community is to protect our children. They deserve to feel protected. Sex traffickers are as close to your kids as Instagram and Snapchat; are we really going to let them get closer?

Samantha Jae Marie Castillo, Modesto

Climate change demands leadership change

In a deceptive and damaging move, the Trump administration set a rock-bottom price on damages caused by greenhouse gas emissions, justifying the government’s repealing or weakening dozens of climate change regulations, according to the Government Accountability Office. The administration estimated the harm caused to future generations to be seven times lower than previous federal estimates, allowing power plants and automobiles to emit more planet-warming carbon dioxide.

To avoid the permanent harm this will cause, we should support Joe Biden in his plan to combat climate change and at the same time increase economic growth through development of carbon pollution-free power by 2035, ensuring the health of future generations to come. The health and well-being of our children and their children depend upon electing Joe Biden our next president of the United States.

Katherine Conrotto, Modesto