Letters to the editor (Sept. 1, 2020)
Labor Day COVID risk
I want to thank Sedgwick County residents for wearing masks, washing their hands frequently and practicing social distancing. These actions will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, which is key to keeping our economy open and allowing students to attend school in person.
But we need to remain vigilant. The virus is still in our community, and the upcoming Labor Day weekend presents a particular risk for spreading it.
Sedgwick County saw spikes in COVID cases after Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. This is because people traveled and gathered in large groups to celebrate these holidays.
We don’t want to see another spike in COVID cases after Labor Day. If a spike happens, we risk closing our schools and damaging working families and businesses.
We all want the economy and schools to open and stay open. Being careful and smart during Labor Day weekend can help make that happen.
Remembering heroes
A big thank you to The Wichita Eagle for remembering the men from Kansas who fought and some died (5,478) during World War II for our freedom. This week marks 75 years since Japan signed formal surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri, officially marking the end of the war.
Please cast your vote in November for the candidate who is most likely to protect our freedom.
Vote Biden
Trump does not represent the majority of Republicans. Trump represents only himself. I urge everyone to read the article titled “The imaginary threat from the ‘radical’ left” by John M. Crisp, from the Aug. 27 Eagle. He outlines the values most Democrats uphold, and in fact, the majority of Americans uphold.
Most Democrats are not far-left. They are centered in common sense and fairness. If we choose another four years of Trump, America will look like another version of North Korea. Pence, McConnell and Pompeo are complicit in Trump’s lies and obstruction of justice. These people need to be voted out.
Together we need to pray, use our God-given discretion, and seek the truth. I urge all of us to vote out a chaotic dictatorship and instead choose to restore our democracy and decency. Future generations are depending upon us. Vote Biden.
Too liberal
The recounting of the McClatchy family journalism journey of nearly 200 years, in the recent farewell by Kevin McClatchy (“It’s time to bid farewell — and say thank you,” Aug. 30), was fascinating. I wonder if the earlier members of this dynasty family had such a left-leaning liberal bent on opinion and news as the current generation? I doubt it.
Trying to put my assessment in the simplest perspective, I can only say “ALL LIVES MATTER.” And all opinions, too.
Remember laborers
On Labor Day we have an opportunity to honor and celebrate the service of our great working men and working women. In the COVID era we are especially grateful for the service of those who work in the meatpacking plants, the supermarkets, restaurants, home health care, medical and dental clinics, post offices and the schools.
We should remember that Abraham Lincoln, our greatest president, was an exceptional champion of labor. In his State of the Union address in 1861, Lincoln stated as follows: “Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could have never existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital and deserves the much higher consideration.”