Letters to the editor | Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020: Back the Badge isn’t owned by one party
Thank first responders by masking up
Re “Hundreds line McHenry to back law enforcement” (Page 3A, Aug. 10): I am disappointed with the Back the Blue events that took place this weekend in Manteca and Modesto for two reasons.
First, the partisanship displayed with the implication that only Republicans back our first responders. The Trump flags, signs, attire and GOP congressional candidate actively campaigning painted a picture suggesting that supporting first responders is a political partisan issue. Sad, really.
I am secondly disappointed, as an ICU RN working in one of Modesto’s hospitals currently receiving help from the National Guard, as two articles in Sunday’s Bee outlined. Few in both rallies wore masks or made any attempt to distance. San Joaquin and Stanislaus County hospitals continue to be overwhelmed, cases and deaths continue to rise. While support for first responders was good, it felt like a direct slap in the face of healthcare providers who are overburdened caring for patients.
One can only hope and pray any attending this weekend, or their loved ones, are not our patients in the coming days. Regardless, we will be there, ready to give our very best of care in the worst of circumstances.
Linda Scarborough, San Jose
Paying respect to Assyrian martyrs
Survivors and our allies around the world pay our respects to the estimated 300,000 Assyrian martyrs.
I first learned of our family’s survival story through my great-grandmother. She recounted her helplessness, as she lay witness to the death of her youngest child, as she and the rest of her family fled the certainty of death on a trail to an uncertain future.
As one of the earliest adopters of Christ, so many have endured unimaginable sacrifice to find tolerance for our existence.
It is with great pride that I represent my community as an elected official for this nation; a nation that not only preaches a tolerance of all faiths but values the celebration of diversity in all its forms. Our people have become an integral piece of this town. From respected faith leaders and community members to prominent business owners and our current police chief, the Assyrian community has firmly planted its roots into this community as we proudly call Turlock home.
On Assyrian Martyrs Day, I openly pray for our people’s continued strength and resolve, through an unwavering commitment to our faith. Today, I pause and pray that we never forget the sacrifices of previous generations.
Andrew Nosrati, Turlock City Councilman
Poor choices in campaign videos
Re “Pastor’s mayor campaign videos show no virus safety protocols” (Front Page, Aug.4): Local pastor Rick Countryman has guests on his show as he runs for mayor. He says it’s his guests’ choice whether to wear a face covering. He said he checks with them before they appear on his show in his living room to make sure they don’t have a fever or aren’t feeling well. Apparently this guy who thinks he’s smart enough to lead a city of over 200,000 people isn’t aware that you don’t have to have symptoms to be a carrier.
County Supervisor Chair Kristin Olsen appeared maskless on the show, and her excuse for not wearing a mask was that “It was a long time ago.” City Councilman Bill Zoslocki, who is running for county supervisor, appeared on Countryman’s show without a mask and said “ I hadn’t even thought of it,” and then offered a lame excuse as to why he didn’t.
It seems ironic that the people who whine the loudest about wanting things to get back to normal are the same ones who prolong the pandemic by ignoring the science behind it.
Rodney D. Brush, Modesto