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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 2020)
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon growth needs to be the key that unlocks the door to the future. Dave Elpi LETTERS Continued from page 11 To the Editor: Under the guise of his <just ask¾n ques- tions,= Mr. Tom Donohue, who doesn¾t iden- tify himself as either a scientist or medical professional, wants his readers to believe: 1. The COVID-19 pandemic is like the seasonal flu; 2. We need to get back to work (whatever that means); 3. That going out in public without per- sonal protective clothing in a pandemic is just like engaging in other risk taking activi- ties such as driving a vehicle and flying in an airplane; and 4. The preventable deaths of up to “a few million” from a flu virus may be a price we have to pay for “the needs of the many.” In other words, the current right-wing talking points. I choose to act in accordance with the best judgments and advice from scientists and medical professionals regarding this pandemic. They tell us that the COVID-19 pandemic is not like the seasonal flu; it is far more lethal and has the same or greater abil- ity to spread to others, including days before anyone feels any symptoms. The same experts tell us that ending social distancing must be preceded by widespread and accu- rate testing for infections, something that the current administration utterly failed to initi- ate or coordinate. As to helping our small businesses, I pre- fer to listen to small-business owners like Jen McCrystal who writes in the same issue about buying gift certificates, an easy and safe way to help. I will act in a manner that minimizes the risk to me, my family AND others from a slow and agonizing suffocation from this dis- ease. To do otherwise would be irresponsible and dangerous. Michael Wells ó ó ó To the Editor: Sisters, Central Oregon and, indeed, the Planet Earth all face seemingly insurmount- able problems. Passionate advocates young and old cry out “save the planet.” Others with different beliefs will argue and all day long; fingers are pointed in the wrong direction. At this time in history the Planet Earth is faced with only one problem. Man. The terri- ble impact made by the human virus can only be ended in one way. Controlled population ó ó ó To the Editor: The Wall Street Journal mentioned in its April 17 issue a website designed by volun- teer coders to facilitate the sale of gift cards for local businesses hurt by COVID-19 restrictions. The website is called helpmain- street.com. I purchased a gift card for a Sisters res- taurant listed on the site, but only a handful of Sisters businesses are listed. My husband sent an email to a Sisters retailer to sug- gest the owner register to be listed on the site. We are writing this letter to suggest that Sisters merchants hurt by travel and other restrictions take a look at the site and see if it makes sense for them to sign up. The site claims that 100 percent of the gift card purchase prices goes to the local businesses. Jane Poss ó ó ó To the Editor: The world we live in today is more com- plex and nuanced than any time in human history. Most people only have a notional grasp of the systems and technologies that we rely on everyday. So, when we¾re unable to understand our world and we¾re scared, humans still reach for the same comfort blanket we¾ve been reaching for hundreds of thousands of years: Mythology. No, 5G does not spread COVID-19. No, Bill Gates is not trying to secretly microchip you. Yes, social distancing is saving mil- lions of lives, particularly of those who have already-compromised immune systems. No, this is not a conspiracy to undermine U.S. politics. Uncertainty is scary. This actually lies at the root of most common phobias. But, now is a time when it¾s crucial for people to con- front uncertainty by embracing science and strategic thinking, not mythology. Seek out information from reliable sources (scientists, doctors, non-partisan news reporting); ques- tion idealogues (politicians, religious lead- ers, talk radio entertainers). Mythology is not a solution. Just ask the Dark Ages. Josh Groves ó ó All connected... PHOTO PROVIDED Mac Maloney showed the work he and Mason Brang and his brother Cameron did for Mason’s fifth-grade project was to use sidewalk chalk to create messages for people to show that we are all connected even though we are all secluded. They decided to post their message on the walk near The Lodge at Sisters. ó 18117 CASCADE ESTATES, BEND 3 BD | 3 BA | 3,708 SF | $1,200,000 Top-notch horse property on 9.51 acres with gorgeous 7-stall 2,640 SF barn, 2 fenced pastures & access to BLM. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, family room or 2nd living area, kitchenette, 2 utility rooms & off ice, 2 upstairs hobby/bonus rooms. Gourmet kitchen with island, walk-in pantry & out- door pizza oven. Master on the main level with fireplace, sauna, jetted tub, walk-in closet, 2 patios & outdoor hot tub. | MLS#202003067 www.CascadeEstatesBend.com “Sisters Businesses are Here to Serve” page to find curbside pick up, delivery, and more. 19