OPINION READER’S FORUM
Founded in 1906
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
A4
EDITOR’S DESK
A small survey makes a big difference
I
f you have received an invitation
from the U.S. Census Bureau
to fi ll out the 2020 Census and
have not yet done so, stop what
you’re doing and go do that now.
It may seem like a
small thing, but that fi ve
minutes of your time is
a huge service to your
community.
Census counts are
Jade
used to determined your McDowell
NEWS EDITOR
representation in gov-
ernment, including how
many seats your state gets in Con-
gress. Oregon is one of seven states
projected to possibly snag an addi-
tional seat in the House of Represen-
tatives, taking one away from a slow-
er-growing state, such as California
or New York. A low turnout of cen-
sus responses in Oregon could hurt
those chances.
Census data will also be used to
divide up representation in the Ore-
gon Legislature. Right now, accord-
ing to the U.S. Census Bureau,
69.7% of Multnomah County house-
holds have fi lled out the census, and
72.1% in Clackamas.
Out here, only 52.2% of Uma-
tilla County households and 42.9%
of Morrow County households have
responded.
That’s good news for Portland res-
idents who are hoping to see the Leg-
islature remain controlled by a super-
majority of Democrats from mostly
metro areas. It’s not so good news for
Staff photo by Jade McDowell, File
Hermiston’s population will be counted along with the rest of the country’s during the 2020
U.S. Census.
the people who wish there were more
state legislators who understand East-
ern Oregon.
Census data also helps determine
the distribution of more than $800
billion in federal grants through more
than 300 different programs, such as
Medicaid. According to an analysis
by George Washington University,
in 2015 Oregon lost $1,169 per per-
son who had not been counted on the
2010 Census.
When a community has a lower
rate of participation in the census than
other communities, making its popu-
lation seems smaller than it actually
COLUMN
is, that community gets less than its
fair share of funding for everything
from Head Start to Section 8 low-in-
coming housing to highway improve-
ments. Federal grants using census
data have made many local proj-
ects possible, including the $2 mil-
lion Community Development Block
Grant to build Hermiston’s new
senior center, and the $1.7 million
Echo recently received to upgrade its
wastewater treatment plant.
The private industry often uses
population growth data as well,
to make decisions about where to
locate stores, restaurants, offi ces and
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Pandemic creates Pepsi panic
I
recently had a déjà vu moment with my
soda of choice.
This past spring when the coronavi-
rus turned my world upside down, I told my
friends that John and I would be fi ne as long
as I had my Pepsi Zero Sugar. Part tongue-in-
cheek, part serious, it’s now getting real.
It started several weeks ago
when I couldn’t fi nd half-racks
of Pepsi Zero at Safeway. In
retrospect, I wish I had bought
the 6-pack bottles. A couple of
days later, I placed a Walmart
pickup order and did just that
— I should have bought more. Tammy
I sent a message to my bestie, Malgesini
Carol Greene, telling her I was
in the middle of a crisis. While she laughed,
she’s well aware of my need for Pepsi. She
suggested I look on Amazon (been there,
done that and not willing to mortgage the
house to buy and have it shipped).
Several years ago, I went through a sim-
ilar panic, which I wrote about in a Janu-
ary 2016 column. At the time I was drinking
Pepsi Next, which was taken off the market.
As I mentioned then, I didn’t want to go back
to the added calories of regular Pepsi and I
didn’t care for the aftertaste of Diet Pepsi —
that’s when I discovered Pepsi in the black
can. In addition to no sugar or calories, it has
twice the caffeine ... perfection!
After again fi nding an empty space on the
shelf where my beloved black can should
have been, I asked customer service at Safe-
way when the Pepsi distributor would be
restocking the shelves. She said he had been
there earlier that day and proceeded to tell
me that there was an aluminum can shortage
due to the pandemic. It was her understand-
ing that Pepsi was going to concentrate on
producing its primary products, which didn’t
include Pepsi Zero.
As my supply dwindled, I understood the
desperation that leads addicts to places they
wouldn’t normally go. I donned a hazmat
suit to enter Walmart in search of the elu-
sive black can. I also went to Rite-Aid and
Bi-Mart, as well as a handful of convenience
stores. I fi nally returned to Safeway, only to
fi nd 6-packs of 7.5 ounce cans.
Who, pray tell, only drinks that small of
an amount? It doesn’t even feel right in my
hand. I bought them all. Before judging me,
there were only fi ve — during normal times,
it would be nothing for me to buy eight or 12
half-racks when they’re on sale.
I told my husband I was likely just putting
off the inevitable. It seems that eventually,
I’d have to leave the dark side of the black
can and make the switch to the silver Diet
Pepsi can.
And then, Sunday afternoon my bestie
called. Carol found four 6-packs of Pepsi
Zero and did I want her to buy them. The
answer was a resounding “Yes!” She told me
they were on sale but I didn’t really care —
even full price, it would be much cheaper
than what I found on Amazon.
Carol later messaged me saying she was
afraid I was in my little pool and wouldn’t
answer the phone and she wouldn’t know
what to do. I told her, “For future reference,
always buy the 6-packs and half-racks.”
I’m OK ... for now. But if you see Pepsi
in the black can, don’t hesitate to buy it and
drop it off at my house — help a desperate
addict in need.
---
Tammy Malgesini, the former Hermis-
ton Herald community editor, enjoys spend-
ing time with her husband and two German
shepherds, as well as entertaining herself
with random musings.
COVID isn’t just spread by Hispanics
Well, Dr. Jeremy Anderson, so you
blame the Hispanic community for the
high number of the COVID-19 cases in
Hermiston? Did you do a thorough sur-
vey of all the people in Hermiston, all the
other provider offi ces? Does it seem to
you that all the Hispanics spread the virus
in Hermiston?
I’ve got news for you, doctor: A lot
of people in our community think they
won’t get the virus. I’ve seen whites and
Hispanics go into a store with no mask
on. They think it won’t happen to them.
Call the Oregon governor and tell her
to open the town again, that you will see
that all Hispanics leave town. Maybe
then you’ll have no more virus in town.
Minerva Bethel
Hermiston
Editor’s note: This letter is in reference
to an article that appeared in the Aug. 6
East Oregonian titled “Skeptic faces push-
back from community members.”
Try a proven method for
combatting COVID
The photo of the Will Not Comply
Protest in Pendleton graphically demon-
strated why we are unable to get the
COVID-19 virus under control. The
photo shows a woman holding a sign say-
ing “I will not lose my business because
you lose your mind”. The woman is not
wearing a mask and appears to be in
close proximity to other demonstrators.
All over the world, the wearing of
masks and social distancing have demon-
strated success in lowering the incidence
of the virus in their population, with the
subsequent opening of their businesses.
This includes Third World countries.
I have always maintained if you are
CORRECTIONS
Printed on
recycled
newsprint
VOLUME 114 • NUMBER 31
Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@eomediagroup.com • 541-278-2673
Jade McDowell | News Editor • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536
Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531
Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
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Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838,
(541) 567-6457.
factories.
If political power and money
aren’t good incentives, how about
patriotism? Filling out the census is a
civic duty enshrined in the Constitu-
tion, right up there with paying your
taxes or jury duty.
The idea of a census dates back to
biblical times, but the fi rst U.S. Cen-
sus was taken in 1790, when Thomas
Jefferson was president and the entire
United States had fewer residents
than Oregon does now. Since then, it
has charted the growth of our nation
a decade at a time, shaping the deci-
sions of our leaders.
If you haven’t fi lled out the cen-
sus yet, it only takes a few moments
of your time. Simply fi ll out and mail
back the paper copy your house-
hold has received, visit 2020census.
gov or call 844-330-2020 for English
or 844-468-2020 for Spanish. If you
don’t do one of those things before
Sept. 30, taxpayer dollars may be
used to send someone to your door to
ask you to fi ll one out in person.
The census only asks for each
household member’s name, birth
date, sex and race and whether the
home is a single-family dwelling or
apartment. There are no questions
about fi nances, citizenship, political
party, religion or other things people
sometimes don’t like to talk about,
and your answers are confi dential.
Do it today. Your country and your
community thank you for doing your
part.
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SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters Policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for the
Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local,
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letters should be kept to 250 words.
No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person.
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length and for content.
doing something and getting the same bad
results, do something different. I suggest
trying something that has proven to work.
As a retired junior high teacher, I recall
we always had a small percentage of our
student body who loudly proclaimed
“they had rights” but were vague on the
responsibilities these rights implied. It
appears these me-me-me kids have grown
big.
Carlisle Harrison
Hermiston
Change is possible; work together
Dear Mr. President,
As it appears to be for you, I was
upset when NFL players knelt during the
national anthem. However, at this time I
think we should all kneel for the anthem,
as a statement against improper and ille-
gal police actions and in memorial to
all past, present, and future victims of
police brutality. In this we must agree to
disagree.
I am as big a patriot for this country as
anyone ever (retired U.S. Navy, ballistic
missile submarines), but sometimes things
become more important than the pri-
mary symbols of this country. Right now,
I believe all Americans should shout with
one voice, “No more bad police.” You do
know what they say about one bad apple.
Unfortunately, we have always had bad
apples as police, politicians (can name a
half a dozen right now), military, and any
other job you can name. We probably will
always have them. Perhaps now is the
time to say something and generate real
change. This is our chance to make Amer-
ica truly great. Please join me in this.
Fair winds and following seas.
William Laffen
Umatilla
Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers.
Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include
a telephone number so they can be reached for questions.
Only the letter writer’s name and city of residence will be
published.
OBITUARY POLICY
The Hermiston Herald publishes paid obituaries. The
obituary can include small photos and, for veterans, a
fl ag symbol at no charge. Expanded death notices will be
published at no charge. These include information about
services. Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper
punctuation and style.
Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at
hermistonherald.com/obituaryform, by email to obits@
hermistonherald.com, by fax to 541-276-8314, placed via the
funeral home or in person at the Hermiston Herald or East
Oregonian offi ces. For more information, call 541-966-0818 or
1-800-522-0255, x221.