Letters to the Editor

Thank you for the hard work of navigating the paper in this challenging season.

I want to thank the county court of commissioners for their work at this time, and strongly urge they double down by not only wearing masks themselves, but also strongly encouraging everyone in the county, most especially those who work with the public as cashiers, clerks, etc., to take a simple step of precaution, just in case it’s needed.

There is a grassroots movement for anybody who sews to start making protective masks. I’ve included a pattern for a mask with an insertable filter in case it’s helpful for any of our neighbors: https://seekate sew.com/how-to-sew-a-face-mask- with-filter-pocket-no-elastic/ .

Moving forward, I strongly urge our cities and counties to create a stockpile of PPEs for such emergencies as the one we’re in right now. If we find we don’t need the handmade masks in current production, they can be stored for possible future emergencies.

I write you this letter because I’ve yet to see our public officials wearing face protective gear. It seems they may be following suit of the commander-in-chief, and in this case I recommend Tyler take the lead and show Washington how it’s done.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Laura Alexander

Smith County Commissioner Precinct 3 candidate

GOD WILL DELIVER US

Pandemic 19 is giving us a time to remember Passover and the Resurrection. As the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians, He will deliver us from this deadly virus.

We must unite as one nation “under God” and help those less fortunate. No one should be homeless. As this government is building temporary hospitals, it should be able to build shelters for the homeless.

As a young navy wife in the early 50s, I lived in San Diego and San Francisco in government housing called “Quonset Huts,” metal buildings that looked like tin cans on their sides. They were furnished with homemade looking furniture, but they were comfortable and kept us safe. The rent was $41.50 monthly and all utilities were free. I had an ID card like a drivers’ license that I had to show every time I left and came back to the base.

Another “perk” was that my husband and I saw the “USA in our ‘50s Chevrolet.” Uncle Sam was very good to us.

Let us remember our blessings and give thanks to God and do help those who need our help now.

Ann Mitchell

Tyler

NO PESTILENCE?

My wife asked if the Bible has something about disease at the beginning of sorrow. I am 87 years old, I told her since I was a kid I heard all say from the Bible, kingdom against kingdom, famine, pestilence and earthquakes. I told her I would show her in the Bible.

I looked in my NIV version, Matt 24:7, it showed kingdom against kingdom, famine, and earthquakes. No pestilence?

I went to the King James Version. It boldly states kingdom against kingdom, famine, pestilence and earthquakes.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows”

Why did they take pestilence out of the new Bible versions?

Oxford Dictionary: Pestilence, (Fatal epidemic disease)

Harold Hollingsworth

Tyler

RECYCLE OR TRASH

Thinking about the closing of the Tyler Recycling Center, a quote comes to mind: “Give me liberty or give me death!” Well, recycling certainly doesn’t justify that quote, which goes way back concerning American’s freedom from England. However, my recycling “stuff” is overflowing my containers. So I was inspired to create a new quote: “Give me recycling or I’ll give you garbage!”

I don’t think recycling is more dangerous than going to Lowe’s, Walmart, McDonald’s or other businesses still trying to survive. I’ve been recycling for the 30 years I’ve lived in Tyler. I am now putting overflow recyclable “stuff” (paper, plastic (1 & 2), cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, other metal, toner cartridges, etc.) in large plastic bags. When I run out of space, it goes to the curb for pickup. And no I won’t subscribe to the orange-lid cans for recycling.

Norm Beavers

Tyler