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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2021)
Opinion A4 Tuesday, September 21, 2021 OUR VIEW Virus taking toll on health care workers T he picture local health care professional Danita Thamert painted in a recent front-page story was a bleak one, yet it was a necessary view, and we hope it sheds more than a little light on the struggle facing the men and women we entrust to care for our community. It isn’t an easy task. As Thamert related in the story, health care workers are burned out and often — inexplicably — fi nd themselves in the front line of the war between anti-vaxxers and those who oppose mask mandates. While many of us can debate the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to address it in a philosophical manner, our health care providers don’t have that luxury. They’re faced with one crisis after another, nearly every day. The descriptions from Thamert of working with patients who seem to get better, only to die from the virus, were especially disheartening. The fact is the virus is killing people and it is putting many in the hospital. It isn’t a philosoph- ical concept to our health care professionals. It is a deadly, serious infection that is still here. We often take our health care workers for granted. We understand on one level that they are trained and prepared to address our med- ical emergencies and to help us get better. But we really don’t know what they go through. We don’t — and really can’t — understand the toll the COVID-19 virus takes. Many are worn out, suff er from PTSD and are probably discouraged. We can’t allow those who we depend on the most to fall off the map in terms of recognition. Their job is impossibly diffi cult, especially now as they struggle to meet the needs of a commu- nity that is awash in the virus. Good debate about political issues is good for democracy. There has been plenty of debate over the virus and the mandates handed down by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. There have been pro- tests too. Those are all actions allowed under our form of government. Yet, we cannot forget those of us in our com- munity who are on the front lines of this battle. They don’t deserve to be attacked for wearing a mask or to be dismissed. Their job is far more important. So, if you know a health care worker, tell them that you appreciate what they are doing. You might not agree with the politics of COVID-19, but our health care workers are not part of that equation. EDITORIALS Unsigned editorials are the opinion of The Observer editorial board. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of The Observer. LETTERS • The Observer welcomes letters to the editor. We edit letters for brevity, grammar, taste and legal reasons. We will not publish con- sumer complaints against busi- nesses, personal attacks against private individuals or comments that can incite violence. We also discourage thank-you letters. • Letters should be no longer than 350 words and must be signed and carry the author’s name, address and phone number (for verifi - cation only). We will not publish anonymous letters. • Letter writers are limited to one letter every two weeks. • Longer community comment columns, such as Other Views, must be no more than 700 words. Writers must provide a recent headshot and a one-sentence biography. Like letters to the editor, columns must refrain from complaints against businesses or personal attacks against private individuals. Submissions must carry the author’s name, address and phone number. • Submission does not guarantee publication, which is at the discre- tion of the editor. SEND LETTERS TO: letters@lagrandeobserver.com or via mail to Editor, 911 Jeff erson Ave., La Grande, OR 97850 LETTERS Nothing good so far from Biden administration After nine months of Biden and his administration, it’s diffi cult to fi nd an accomplishment that benefi ts our country. He has further helped split our country along political and racial lines, caused unchecked infl ation leading to higher fuel prices, thus higher prices for everything moved by trucks, most everything from food and clothes. Our continued open borders allows hundred of thousands of unknown migrants from many coun- tries to come to the United States during a time of COVID restrictions for U.S. citizens, perhaps bringing other health problems as well. Many are not apprehended, thus more drugs are entering, causing unknown deaths as a result. These illegals are being sent all over our country with no vetting to help protect citizens from harm. We do know as a result that the car- tels are making millions of dollars on human suff ering. There is a huge amount of violence in large cities and small as well, leaving fami- lies wondering where to turn for protection. More recently we have the sad Biden fi asco of leaving Afghani- stan without a plan or purpose. He has left behind unknown numbers of American citizens (as well as 13 U.S. soldiers dead) at the mercy of a violent Taliban regime who are now well armed thanks to Biden’s lack of planning and purpose. We have always been the leader of the free world, but now even our allies have found us to be untrust- worthy. They are having second thoughts as to whether they can rely on the U.S. Biden has managed in a short time to let the American people down and also the rest of the free world. Ed Ater La Grande Community safety should trump individual rights Our county commissioners and sheriff all reject eff orts to push vac- cination rates up by requiring proof of vaccination for employment and event attendance. They claim that’s in our community’s best interest. Yet the unvaccinated are responsible for the resurgence of COVID cases resulting in spiraling infection rates, sickness and deaths. Economic and social costs of this insanity is evidenced by the can- cellation or diminution of beloved annual events. Many vaccinated people are choosing not to shop, eat out or return to work because of lax COVID requirements and enforce- ment. Hospital beds are in short supply for procedures unrelated to COVID, and unvaccinated staff make the hospital itself a dangerous environment. What’s this about? Individual freedom? Politics? Selfi shness? Whatever the reason, our leaders are prioritizing individual rights over community safety. Meanwhile many individual rights folks opposing vaccination and mask mandates also oppose abortion rights. Refusing to vacci- nate, denying an abortion. Mary McCracken Island City Let us support one another’s medical freedom of choice I am a concerned health care worker. I am alarmed by the recent vaccine mandate to all health care workers in Oregon by Gov. Kate Brown. This mandate is unconstitutional. We live in America, the greatest country in the world where we still have God-given freedoms. We should have the freedom to choose whether or not we receive a vaccine. I am a free-thinking American, I can look at all the science, consider my options and conduct my own risk benefi t analysis and make an informed decision. We now know that vaccinated individuals can be infected, spread and die from COVID-19 just like the unvaccinated. Their risk of severe infection may be less but that doesn’t exempt them from playing vaccine Russian roulette of possible side eff ects of clots, neurological prob- lems, myocarditis and even death. How is it legal to force a treat- ment on someone that could cause their demise? Vaccine companies don’t care. They make millions and bear no liability for injuries or death. According to the CDC, I have a 99.97% survival rate in my age group and that’s without the vaccine. I believe in freedom, and as a free American I should be able to make my own decision, one that was not forced upon me by fear and coercion of elected leaders. Freedom is what America was founded on and is what so many people died for. Let’s honor their sacrifi ce and keep America free. Hospitals across the country are experiencing staff shortages and SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Subscription rates: Monthly Autopay ...............................$10.75 13 weeks.................................................$37.00 26 weeks.................................................$71.00 52 weeks ..............................................$135.00 EOU and new fi eld house a bright spot What an exciting time for Eastern Oregon University, for students and our local communities. I enjoyed reading the recent article about the progress of the new fi eldhouse being built on campus. On behalf of the board of trustees, we have been a part of the project as it developed over the past several years. We are excited to see this new building, the fi rst in many years, expand capacity and access for all our students, including our Health and Human Performance depart- ment and the EOU Outdoor Adven- ture Program as well as Mountaineer athletics. We were very appreciative that the funding for the fi eldhouse comes from state lottery bonds, adding to the state’s investment in EOU and the region. In a time when many uni- versities are struggling in various ways, it is so uplifting to be a part of an institution that is able to reno- vate current academic buildings like Loso Hall and build much-needed new facilities, while not raising tui- tion for on-campus undergraduate students. The possibilities and potential for this new structure are endless for our university while also reaching well beyond the geographic region of Eastern Oregon. The fi eldhouse will serve as a recruiting tool, an oppor- tunity for hosting myriad sporting events, and allow for space that will provide outreach programs to touch many diff erent lives. EOU is a bright spot during these challenging times. Cheryl Martin North Powder EOU alumnus EOU Board of Trustees vice chair STAFF SUBSCRIBEAND SAVE NEWSSTAND PRICE: $1.50 You can save up to 55% off the single-copy price with home delivery. Call 800-781-3214 to subscribe. fatigue. Is this really the time to put a vaccine mandate on all health care workers that could potentially result in worse shortages and a dete- rioration in patient care and safety? I encourage the citizens of Union County to stand behind their local health care workers, who work tire- lessly every day to care for the sick in our community. I have seen the pandemic bring the worst out in many of us. People are angry and people are fearful. Let’s not fi nd one more reason to divide us. Let us instead love one another and support one another’s medical freedom of choice. Lilly Roe Island City Anindependent newspaper foundedin1896 www.lagrandeobserver.com Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, Oregon 97801 Published Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (except postal holidays) by EO Media Group, 911 Jefferson Ave., La Grande, OR 97850 (USPS 299-260) The Observer retains ownership and copyright protection of all staff-prepared news copy, advertising copy, photos and news or ad illustrations. They may not be reproduced without explicit prior approval. COPYRIGHT © 2021 Phone: 541-963-3161 Toll free (Oregon): 1-800-781-3214 Email: news@lagrandeobserver.com POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Observer, 911 Jefferson Ave., La Grande, OR 97850 Regional publisher. ...................... Karrine Brogoitti Multimedia journalist.........................Alex Wittwer Regional circulation director .................. Kelli Craft Home delivery advisor ............... 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