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THE PEOPLE SPEAK IN THE LATEST ‘LETTERS TO THE EDITOR’

 

Recent Article Brought Back Memories Of Being A Teenage During World War II

Dear Editor:

     You recently brought back memories of being a teenager during WWII in Coos Bay on the Oregon coast. We were both afraid and very patriotic. Windows had to be blacked out at night and we had to learn to get under our desks at school if we were attacked. We had food shortages. My grandmother gave me her shoe stamps. An airport was built in North Bend and the airplanes were in the air day and night guarding the coastline.

     When the war was over, the sky was empty. I missed the sound. Your article speaking of rolling bandages reminded me of this. We went once a week, tied back our hair, and rolled bandages to be sent to war.

     I am very proud to be part of this “Greatest Generation”. Love your paper and hope all goes well for you and your staff.

Aileen Bellah, Decatur

Our Leaders Have Some Tough Decisions Ahead

Dear Editor:

     These are challenging times on many different fronts for everyone. The emergence of COVID-19 – – yet another virus added to the list of those originating from China, again – – has had a deadly impact on people’s health worldwide. For obvious reasons, it is imperative efforts continue focusing on mitigating, peaking, decreasing, controlling and ultimately eradicating the virus’ effects.                     

     While the Illinois media routinely reports updated state totals and specific local county numbers of positive cases and deaths, a fuller geographic picture may prove helpful. According to the 4/10/2020 data appearing on Illinois’ coronavirus website, the northeast section of the state (including Cook and other commuter counties) comprises roughly 93% of positive cases and deaths. Counties with larger state universities appear to have higher numbers than some others. Counties in the large central Illinois footprint and the southwest area around St. Louis each comprise roughly 2%, leaving the rest of the state with the remainder, as applicable.

     Concurrently, COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on the overall economy and individual financial wellbeing. We all hope for a return to normalcy as soon as feasibly possible – – but patience and cooperation are key ingredients. Recklessly spewing politicized misinformation without prior objective research, or blaming local, state and federal government, health care experts, providers and others in this orbit accomplishes nothing positive.

     The American people are smarter than that – – and are tired of being subjected to such insulting content. Our leaders have some extremely difficult decisions ahead – – decisions that require a focused, prudent balancing act that involves restoring both personal and financial health. Their analytical thoroughness is critical to our future.

     Likewise, it is essential we continue to make the right decisions as individuals by acting responsibly and supporting each other. When all of the aforementioned occurs, we will achieve the desired outcome.

Kathi L. McClugage, Decatur

Special Message To The Public From Decatur Police Chief Getz

     On April 1, 2020 Governor Pritzker extended his Stay at Home Order through April 30, 2020. We are asking all of our citizens to adhere to these conditions. Sadly, Macon County had our first death related to Coronavirus. We have had several positive tests and I anticipate several more positive tests as we move forward. Spreading this virus will only extend this Order.

     The Decatur Police Department would prefer to gain compliance from our citizens rather than take enforcement action. Thus, we are asking all of you to comply to the Stay at Home order and only leave your homes for essential activities and for essential operations. We ask that you keep a social distance of six feet and keep your gatherings to 10 people or less.

     Continue to wash your hands and wear a mask if you are out in public on essential business. Please stay safe and educate those around you to stay home. This is frustrating for all of us, but we ask that you continue to be patient and not contribute to spreading this virus to your friends and family. This is a serious virus that can cause death.

James E. Getz Jr., Chief Of Police, Decatur

COVID-19 Victim Singer-Songwriter John Prine Championed Humane Treatment Of Others, Including Animals

Dear Editor:

     Revered Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Prine, who died from complications of COVID-19, will be missed for his evocative songs that championed the often overlooked and marginalized among us—including other animals. From his very first album to his last, Prine featured animals—and humans’ often cruel treatment of them—in his work.

     In 2018’s “Lonesome Friends of Science,” Prine took on pointless, curiosity-driven experiments (which kill millions of animals every year), singing, “Those bastards in their white lab coats/Who experiment with mountain goats/Should leave the Universe alone/It’s not their business … not their home.”

     In his classic song “Paradise,” from his debut album, Prine described leaving alone animals who were minding their own business in their natural home: “Well, sometimes we’d travel right down the Green River/To the abandoned old prison down by Airdrie Hill/Where the air smelled like snakes and we’d shoot with our pistols/But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.”

     In remembrance of Prine and his compassion for all living beings, let’s all do something to show kindness—whether it’s pledging to buy only products that aren’t tested on animals, sponsoring care for a neglected “backyard dog,” or ordering PETA’s free vegan starter kit to use and share. Visit PETA.org to get involved.

Paula Moore, The PETA Foundation, Norfolk, VA

Writer Is Mad And ‘Not Going To Take It Anymore’

Dear Editor:

     A man once said “I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it any more!”. Well I am there! I saw where the Mayor of Chicago got her hair done while the rest of the everyday women can’t go to the hairdresser because they are not essential and are closed.

     The Mayor said in defense that she is on TV and needs to look good. The Governor said he may keep Illinois on lock down until there is a vaccine.is available. The experts say that will be sometime in 2021. I think it is time for both of our US Senators, the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate to live like the normal people of Illinois and give up their salaries until the vaccine is available.

     What is the chance of that happening? The leadership of Illinois government is not interested in helping the people of Illinois. They are only interested in what is good for them! It is time to kick them out of office and see that they never come back!

     One more thing. Why are liquor stores considered essential and open? Ask the leadership!

Russell Stoss, Decatur

‘Stay At Home’ Order Could Be A Regional Issue

Dear Editor:

     My name is Ed Beasley and I am a semi-retired businessman in Decatur, Illinois. The question many of my colleagues have been trying to get answered is as follows: If the Stay at Home Order is extended, has the State considered releasing the Order County by County or will the State of Illinois wait until the entire State is safe?           

     It appears to many of us that releasing the Stay at Home Order has now evolved to more of a regional issue not a statewide issue. Chicago, does need to stay shut down past May 1st, no question. Mandating the release of the Stay at Home Order being done only statewide not County by County will affect our economy and hospital care that is now being restricted.

     Downstate Counties will not rebound as fast as an urban area once things get closer to normal. Releasing counties less impacted will provide additional tax revenue for the State of Illinois which is desperately needed. Counties, for example, can decide to allow restaurants and golf courses to open and require customers to show an ID proving they live in that county. Otherwise, it has the appearance that if high density Counties have to suffer then all Counties have to suffer.

     This is one of the hardest decisions our leaders will ever have to make, not making the decision is the easy way out – – and they were elected to make tough decisions.

Ed Beasley, Decatur

 

(Letters reprinted from April 15th print edition of the Decatur Tribune newspaper.)

 

1 Comment

  1. laura vinci on April 21, 2020 at 10:39 am

    I think you are absolutely correct in what you are saying I really hope that the people higher up realize the impact that it will have if for some reason he is unable to make a hard decision. It will be crucial for some parts of Illinois.

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