Let people get back to work
Memo to Mayor Harry Kim, Gov. David Ige, and others in government leadership: let’s reopen some businesses now. Start with barber shops, hair salons, then all retail businesses.
Here’s a fact: In Hawaii, less than one tenth of one percent of the population has been infected with the virus. The curve has been flattened. Let people get back to work now.
We can still wear the masks and use hand sanitizers in all businesses. I don’t believe staying 6 feet apart makes any real difference in our health, as long as we take the other precautions. Don’t continue to punish the 99.9% of us who remain virus-free.
Ron Raridon
Kailua-Kona
Mitigating complications from COVID-19
Preventing COVID-19 infections and its complications goes beyond wearing masks, washing your hands and social distancing.
The advice given during this pandemic has focused on wearing masks, washing your hands, social distancing and staying home if you are ill. But what about addressing the chronic diseases that have been shown to make the complications of the infection deadly for over 70,000 Americans and counting?
We have an epidemic in the U.S. of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other chronic diseases. In addition, unhealthy diets account for more than half a million people dying prematurely in the U.S. each year. It appears to be a lot of debate as to what constitutes a healthy diet but actually the evidence is very, very clear: Eating a mostly plant-based diet is not only better for us in general, but can help reduce our risk of dying from COVID-19. This way of eating has been shown to produce positive results very quickly.
The added benefit is that it is good for the planet and costs less. For many who are now unemployed and have very limited resources, eating more legumes will definitely be better for your pocketbook as well. So it’s time to put our attention on what will make us all healthier right now and in the long run. The personal savings, as well as to our over burdened health care system, will be enormous.
Vivienne Aronowitz
Dietitian and Diabetes Educator
Waimea
Staying where it is
Why did I receive a stimulus check?
I’m retired and have no need for this extra $1,200 payment, thanks to my pension and Social Security.
It would have been better for the federal government (President Trump) to give it to someone who really needs it. Like those unemployed who have trouble meeting everyday expenses. These folks are no longer working, not because of their lack of motivation, but rather due to the financial crisis their employers are facing daily.
After all, the government officials sure are taking care of them, as are their union representatives. As a matter of fact, why don’t the labor organizations help their members with financial assistance? Could it be lack of funds because of the contributions they make to politicians? Just wondering.
But before you ask me to give my payment to you, consider that I also need it to purchase the necessities of life; things like alcohol, tobacco and firearms. Plus my cable TV bill and trips to the ninth island — Las Vegas. And not to mention my contributions to my religious organization, so they can payout those huge sums that were awarded by the courts because of “fooling around.”
Sorry, my $1,200 gift from the Feds is staying where it is, in my bank account.
Michael L. Last
Naalehu
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