Letters to the Editor

On the morning of March 3, 2020, I fell in my driveway while taking out the garbage can. Your delivery person, Angelica Viernes, got out and called 911 for me. She then went in and found my purse and retrieved the garage door opener to close the door and put the opener in my purse. Angelica then stayed with me until the ambulance arrived and I told her to go ahead with her route.

I fractured my right femur and spent time in the hospital and rehab but am home now and doing as well as can be expected. Each morning my paper is right at my front door! Thank you so much for having such a caring delivery person.

Beverly Ohren

Tyler

DONATING STIMULUS

I am sure that there are a number of people who are going to receive a stimulus check who can afford to donate to the Red Cross or a charity of their choice.

Gerry Colley

Tyler

HEALTH AND ECONOMY

In response to Mr. Towns’ letter to the editor:

Mr. Towns does not seem to understand either the health or the economic situation brought on by the coronavirus.

1. This virus is extremely contagious and while most victims who die are elderly or have an underlying health condition, others who are young, healthy and strong have also died. We need to do everything possible to reduce the spread.

2. I agree that this shutdown is devastating to many businesses, especially small businesses.

3. If those people who are drawing federal/state salaries were to stop drawing those salaries, the economy would “tank” even worse, and would take much longer to recover. At least some people have some money to keep various businesses “alive.”

4. Perhaps Mr. Towns should direct his anger toward the U.S. Congress and president who have agreed to spend another $2 trillion dollars which will be added to our already incomprehensible $3 trillion debt. In that bill, everyone under a certain income will receive a check from our magnanimous legislators, even those of us who are retired and whose income will not be affected by this shutdown. Does that make any sense?

Linda Hocker

Tyler

PROPERTY OR LIVES

Last week, I submitted a letter to the editor describing the societal harm caused by corporate and/or institutionalized misinformation. My local print newspaper, instead, chose to publish another letter in which the writer criticized governmental employees, for getting paid during the stay-at-home order, and officials for acting to protect the public from a deadly pandemic. I find it ironic that several of those officials and respected corporations are now promoting a public service announcement, #SpreadFactsNotFear, on traditional and social media to prevent the spread of misinformation. Advocacy of criminal activity does not receive First Amendment protections if the advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action, and is likely to incite or produce such action. Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969). Advocacy of misinformation should, at the very least, subject the perpetrator to legal accountability for their actions that knowingly harm our community. Our current crisis has been worsened by governmental officials who have demonstrated more interest in protecting property than protecting people’s lives. Some of the most important roles of governmental are to “provide for our common defense” and to do those things which we can’t achieve as individuals. This administration has once again failed when the American people needed it most. This administration has once again chosen to deceive the American people to protect ego. This administration has once again violated public trust, and the only way for people of goodwill to restore that trust is to get informed and VOTE in every single election. #TruthBeBold

Michael Tolbert

Tyler