Letters to the Editor

I am appalled at Sheriff Smith’s declaration of no mask-no fine. It shows ignorance and disregard for human health and accountability during the continuing first wave of COVID-19. Gov. Abbott’s order of wearing face masks in public is scientifically sound. No mask is denial of the reality of how easy it is to transmit/catch COVID-19. The dramatic increase of cases in Smith county alone should mandate implementation of masks, fines if necessary, in public places. The issuance of warnings and fines for health endangerment for those non-compliant has merit (keep an active database for officers to find repeat offenders) as the spread of the virus is now scientifically recognized as airborne through droplets — coughing, sneezing or talking.

Sheriff Smith’s declaration gives license to be an accessory to health endangerment sometimes resulting in death. No warning. No fine. Intelligent and health-conscious individuals wear masks out in public to minimize the threat to themselves and others. The maskless endanger my health and the health of others. The asymptomatic carriers, at this point all citizens should classify themselves as such, need to wear masks and social distance.

Wearing a mask in public is behavioral modification. Smith’s declaration of no fines/warnings reflects a non-caring attitude, non-compliance and disregard for public health position. Endangerment: speeding, domestic abuse, drinking and driving? A warning and fine is an attempt at behavior modification — reducing the risk of individual or corporate endangerment. There really isn’t any difference with COVID-19 transmission and endangerment. Smith seems to be endorsing reckless behavior during this health crisis that endangers everyone. I expect sound logic and proactive action from elected officials and leaders of our community.

I strongly urge business owners to require, and have for sale, face masks for those wishing to enter their premises. Wear a mask. Minimize the spread that often leads to death or a long debilitating illness.

Bob Taliaferro

Tyler

SAFETY AT RISK

Our sheriff must reconsider his decision not to enforce the governors COVID-19 face mask mandate. Our sheriff has to realize the safety and security of our citizens is at risk. If our COVID-19 numbers continue to grow, most surely additional action will follow i.e. “expanded shutdowns of businesses, schools, and athletic activities” which could be traced back to our elected officials inaction. I understand the hesitancy as far financial penalty for those not wearing a mask, so hand the violator a mask and say please wear it in public to protect yourself as well as others. It’s just to easy!

Gerald Wilkinson

Bullard

CONTACT TRACING

Re: 7/1/20 Editorial — Contact tracing: When I was a child my father shared with me the expression, “Those who can — do; those who can’t — keep score.” Currently, thousands of epidemiologists, public health academics and bureaucracies such as the CDC have put down their donuts and gotten up from behind their desks to opine on the COVID-19 pandemic as “experts.” Many are pushing for hundreds of thousands of contact tracers to be trained and hired nationwide. Just what America needs — a massive, endless, new government bureaucracy, perhaps named the Department of Contract Tracing, that would make the TSA look like child’s play. Thousands of servers would be filled with questionable data that would never be successfully analyzed. A temporary answer? Personal responsibility!

Ted Gould

Tyler

ALL-CITIZEN VOTE

My name is Bill Adams, 1966 graduate of Robert E Lee High School. There are many like me who spent six years at Lee with wonderful memories of friends and school events at our alma mater. And now there is an element of Tyler’s population that wishes to erase those memories?

I am not tone deaf to the current events of our times. But what, actually, should current events have to do with our history?

If name changes to REL and JT (because both would need to be changed) is important to the citizens of Tyler, maybe the issue should be brought before the City Council for a vote of all our citizens instead of just TISD? Because, since when does the minority rule?

We have all seen our whole country being torn apart these past weeks. It’s disgusting and depressing. Attempting to change history is a tool of anarchists in third-world revolutions, but should have nothing to do with Tyler, Texas.

Bill Adams

Tyler