Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Our region is in its greatest fight against coronavirus. We are seeing increased infections, hospitalizations and deaths in our communities. Our staff are strained. Our testing sites have longer lines and higher positivity rates.

We were able to flatten the curve and avoid tragedy last spring and summer with your help. By masking, distancing and hand washing, we protected each other, limited the spread of the virus, and saved lives.

For a variety of reasons, we lost ground. To keep our friends and families healthy and ease the strain on our hospitals, we must rededicate ourselves to following established, proven safety measures. We have done it before. We can do it again.

While it is encouraging to see many of our neighbors and businesses adhering to the safety guidelines, it is greatly disappointing to see those who are not.

To the Editor:

Please take actions now to save the lives of many in our community. Iowa is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 infections, with 800 Iowans hospitalized and cases up 103% in two weeks. Things will likely get much worse. If we take action now, lives will be saved.

Please avoid indoor Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Even small family gatherings with relatives outside your “bubble” can cause COVID-19 spread. Mask, distance, wash hands, and get your flu shot.

If you can, get groceries and restaurant meals curbside, and support our local businesses and essential workers. We are already a COVID-19 red state, meaning there is free spread of the virus in our community.

Warning signs:

To the Editor:

Americans, you need to dust off your Bible. Read Mark 8: verses 36-38.

Virgil Thorstenson
Monona

Since this is my first article in the Waukon Standard in almost 30 years, I thought it would be a good idea if I took a few lines and introduced myself. I arrived to serve the parishioners in Waukon, Hanover and Dorchester on July 13 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This is my eighth assignment in 34 years since my ordination to the priesthood.

I was born in Guttenberg, the youngest of five children. My family moved to a farm near Elkader when I was two years old. I attended St. Joseph Catholic School until it was closed - 1st thru 4th grade; I am a graduate of Central Community High School (Elkader) in 1977, Iowa State University in 1981, and the St. Paul Seminary (Twin Cities) in 1986. My hobbies include the following: bicycling, fishing, flowers, and motorcycling.

On May 24, 1986 I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

To the Editor:

Hello and good health to everyone. Iowans are respected around the U.S.A. for being kind and courteous.

During this nationwide and worldwide pandemic, let’s keep it going by wearing a face mask and using hand sanitizer.

I don’t know (does anybody?) if that hinders the spread of coronavirus but I have not heard from anybody that it causes it. Let’s be nice to each other.

Len Smorstad
Waukon

To the Editor:

Friday, October 17 the VFW Auxiliary to Post 4117 in Waukon conducted its annual Poppy Campaign. Once again, the community made a significant contribution to area veterans.

These funds are strictly earmarked for supporting veterans. We provide gas and grocery certificates, emergency funding for medical expenses, and monies to the Veterans Home in Marshalltown, the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City and the National Home for Children.

In 1924, the VFW registered the name “Buddy” Poppy with the U.S. Patent Office. The “Buddy” Poppy represents the blood shed by American military service members and reminds us of their sacrifices.

If you were missed and would still like to contribute, you can mail your check to: Karen Mathis, 506 Fifth Avenue NW, Waukon, IA 52172 or you can call me at 563-568-2534 and I will pick it up.

Karen Mathis, Treasurer
VFW Auxiliary
Post 4117
Waukon

To the Editor:

In response to the letter submitted by Harriet Sharp of Lansing (Pivotal Points to Ponder), I find it sad that Ms. Sharp attacks Muslims and the concept of socialism, and then attacks the Democratic party for embracing them both. She seems to be targeting abstract ideas and instead forgets that people of the Muslim faith are children of God, just as she, and are equally vulnerable to hurt spawned by such words of insensitivity and darkness.

Further, it is incorrect to classify the Republican party as being pro-life and the Democratic party as being opposed to this ideal. On the listing of important social issues which includes abortion but also health care, education and climate change, just to name a few, members of the Democratic party act with the highest compassion and concern.

To the Editor:

The choice is clear in this election. If you want to eliminate Social Security, Medicare and the protections for pre-existing conditions, then choose Republicans. The reckless payroll tax cut that the administration imposed by executive order will eliminate Social Security by 2023, according to the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration. This administration has pledged to completely terminate payroll taxes in a second term, which would further weaken and dismantle Social Security. Also, this administration’s proposed budgets have included more than $845 billion in cuts to Medicare. Medicaid, which covers impoverished seniors’ long-term care costs, would also suffer cuts.

To the Editor:

Your CASA Program is calling for community members to step up and advocate for children and families involved in the child welfare system in our local area.

Volunteers with Your CASA Program are known as CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates. These CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in foster care. CASA volunteers advocate in the courtroom, school and other settings for the best interest of the child they are representing, help them stay connected with their families and communities, and work towards family reunification whenever safe and possible.

Now is a great time to get involved with CASA. With info sessions, pre-service volunteer training and swearing-in ceremonies currently conducted online, you can begin making a difference in the lives of children and families in the foster care system - right from your own home.

To the Editor:

Our planet Earth has everything necessary to support all its life forms. We humans are screwing this up royally. We’re overpopulating, while limiting aid to mitigate this problem.

We’re polluting our world, fouling our air, water and land with too many chemicals, from toxic emissions to herbicides and pesticides.

Our sea life  is being severely threatened by our plastic waste and chemical run-off from yards, golf courses, agricultural lands, etc. We are over-harvesting many species of ocean flora and fauna.

We are destroying many species of living things daily by over-use and over-indulgence. Do we need pristine lawns? Do we need perfect looking fruits and vegetables? Do we need the latest synthetic fashion apparel? Do we need to use so much throwaway plastic? Do we need to consume inordinate amounts of meat? Do we need to drive when we can walk?