Science and masking
Regarding former Rep. Jim Welker’s letter published Dec. 10: Mr. Welker takes a predictable conservative stance on the subject of mask-wearing. He has taken one obscure, off the wall comment from one lone person, Dr. Simone Gold, a doctor whose comment appears to show her more a lawyer than a physician, and presents it as established scientific fact. This contradicts the advice of the thousands of doctors, epidemiologists, and public health people.
The Centers for Disease Control has advocated for over eight months that we should wear masks and social distance in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus; it was never presented as a guarantee but rather as the best we could do under the circumstances. If we had done so then we wouldn’t be talking about this now.
The benefit of mask-wearing is not so much to keep the wearer from getting sick, but much more so to prevent the wearer from passing it to others. As conservative columnist Michael Gerson has said in one of his columns, “your rights end where mine begin.” You have a right to get sick, but no right to pass it on to me.
If Mr. Welker were trying to make a scientific case, you failed. If it was a political statement, this is something you should leave to the scientists. And if you won’t believe the science, what’s your plan B?
I won’t call Mr. Welker stupid. But he has made a poor choice based on misinformation.
Bill Hughes
Loveland
Stop to appreciate where you live
Recently, on Facebook, there was a post that listed 24 reasons why those who live in Colorado are proud to be a Coloradan. Some of the reasons are the beauty of where we live, the opportunities to get out of doors and recreate, the weather conditions that are more positive than negative, and more. It’s been a very popular post with lots of hits.
While riding my bike Thursday on the West Side Trail and looking at the Rocky Mountains at every opportunity, I thought I couldn’t agree more with where I live. Loveland is beautiful in so many ways, and we all are so lucky to be able to enjoy all the perks and pleasure we are all so blessed with.
My point in writing today is to remind everyone to never take where you live for granted. For one moment every day, stop, take a breath, look up and know you are so fortunate to live where you do. You only have today. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never happen. In the midst of all the stresses encountered in 2020, politically, medically, educationally, employment, it has not been easy by any means. People are upset, angry, grieving, unable to focus because of all the tension. We all, myself included, need to think more about living graciously, rather than telling others how wrong they are. You can only control your own attitude. Being patient, respectful, listening, and unbiased is the right road to take.
Could we all just consider, and try to “Make America Great Again”?
William Zoller
Loveland
Disposable diapers are necessity for many
I’m a founder of The Nappie Project — the first diaper bank in Northern Colorado. Through partner agencies, we’ve provided diapers and wipes to families in need in Loveland, Fort Collins and surrounding communities since 2016.
I’m responding to the RH Line caller to correct the misconceptions in their comments regarding “disposable diapers”.
Fact: Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a child clean, dry and healthy. One in three families in our communities experiences diaper need — a number increasing as the impact of COVID-19 and recent devastating fires push more families into poverty.
A healthy baby uses about 50 diapers a week. Families can spend up to 15-20% of their monthly income on diapers.
Most daycare centers require parents to provide a day’s worth of disposable diapers. Without an adequate supply of diapers, parents cannot go to work or school. Most the families we serve are working families.
No federal or state program pays for or subsidizes the cost of diapers! SNAP considers diapers a “disallowable” purchase along with cigarettes, alcohol and dog food.
Many laundromats do not allow the laundering of dirty cloth diapers.
The caller says taxpayer money is being “wasted” buying diapers. No taxpayer money was used to purchase the more than 880,000 diapers The Nappie Project has provided since 2016. Those diapers were donated or purchased with funds donated by generous, compassionate individuals.
The caller asks: “Why are food dollars being spent on disposable diapers?” I am unaware of any program that utilizes food dollars to purchase diapers. Diapers distributed at The Food Bank for Larimer County are all provided by The Nappie Project. The Food Bank is one of our valued partners.
The caller raised all three of their children “back in the 50s and never had a disposable diaper.” True — the first disposable diapers for children, developed by Pampers, weren’t available until the 1960s.
Interested in learning more about disposable diapers or diaper need in our communities? Contact thenappieproject@gmail.com or see our website at www.thenappieproject.org.
Jan Touslee
Loveland
The Link LonkDecember 12, 2020 at 08:47PM
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Letters: Masks; natural beauty; diapers - Loveland Reporter-Herald
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Diapers
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