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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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“Sisters Businesses are Here to Serve” page to find curbside pick up, delivery, and more.
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