Letters to the editor for Aug. 5
It’s good to grow
Mary Gentry’s column “Create a garden or support one. Either way it builds community and connections” reminded me of the long history, 25-plus years, that the Kiwanis Club of Olympia has built community and connections through the Kiwanis Food Bank Gardens.
Now, three individual gardens on landowners property, a total of 1-1/2 acres, provides on average 22,000 pounds of fresh, organic summer and winter vegetables for the Thurston County Food Bank. Under the leadership of Kiwanians who are agricultural specialists, a cadre of volunteers, in the hundreds annually, harvest-fresh vegetables delivered to the Thurston County Food Bank’s clients. This partnership — Kiwanis, Thurston County Food Bank and volunteers — includes students who learn math and science, while providing community service while serving those in need.
The coronavirus has put pressure on the gardens’ volunteers while increasing the need to provide food for our communities’ families and individuals. An unfailing, dedicated group of volunteers and Kiwanis members work to plant and harvest this summer and fall.
Derek Valley, Olympia
Rob Snaza out of line
Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza has implied that following the governor’s requirement on mask usage is tantamount to blind obedience. Perhaps he thinks not texting while driving, or not driving under the influence, or not robbing banks are “sheep-like” behaviors also. Not wearing a mask has the potential to harm those around you as surely as the above mentioned actions.
It is not unreasonable to ask people to wear masks to protect others as advised by most, if not all, public health officials. I would also remind the sheriff that it is his job to uphold all laws, not just those he agrees with. It certainly is not his job to sow public discord.
Karl Kohlstaedt, Olympia
Beware of barbecue bugs
COVID-19 heralds some good news for the summer. We won’t be facing heavy traffic. And the scarcity of meat will keep our outdoor grills safe.
Folks who grill hamburgers and hot dogs face a nasty choice. The U.S. Meat and Poultry Hotline advises grilling at high temperature to avoid food poisoning by E. coli and salmonella bacteria. But the National Cancer Institute warns that high-temperature grilling of processed meats generates cancer-causing compounds.
Fortunately, we no longer need to choose between food poisoning and cancer!
A bunch of enterprising U.S. food processors have met this challenge head-on by developing a rich variety of convenient, healthful, delicious plant-based veggie burgers, veggie dogs, and soy nuggets. These products don’t harbor nasty bugs or cancer-causing com-pounds. They are missing the cholesterol, saturated fats, drugs, hormones, and pesticides of their animal-based alternatives. And they are waiting for us in the frozen food section of our favorite supermarket, along with nut-based ice creams and other dairy-free desserts.
Let’s declare our independence from the meat industry, which exposes its workers to COVID-19 infection. And let’s stay away from both the COVID and the barbecue bugs!
Andrew Petuchov, Olympia
Wear a mask
I just returned from the grocery store and as usual there were a percentage of shoppers inside who did not have masks on. I don’t care about your political affiliation, wearing a mask should not considered a political statement. Since having a mask on is meant to protect others from your breath, it says a lot about anyone not wearing a mask with regard to their opinion about the people around them. Basically what it says is: I don’t care about you, I care about me and I choose not to wear a mask.
COVID-19 is not just a cold. It is not just the flu. It is a contagious illness that will ruin the lungs and a lot of the major organs in the human body. I don’t wish to die that way and I don’t want others to die that way, so I wear a mask. Everyone should. The fewer who wear masks, the longer this disease will be with us. It’s a fact.
Mary M. Carter, Tumwater