Please Wear a Mask
Dear Editor: During the hour in which I wrote this letter, 10,000 Americans were diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection and 140 people died of the disease. It is difficult to fully grasp the magnitude of the current global pandemic, which has continued to accelerate into the holiday season.
A difficult thing to accept in our current crisis is that many individuals will suffer avoidable death or disability due to COVID-19 infections. A contributing factor to this has been noncompliance with public health measures due to a lack of understanding or resistance. I was very concerned to hear many of these themes repeated during a recent Sitka Assembly meeting. While the initial guidance around masking was confusing, this has now been studied extensively during the pandemic, and masking clearly decreases disease transmission. More recent data also suggests that the mask provides some protection to the wearer. Masking, physical distancing, and handwashing are critical public health measures preventing the respiratory spread of infectious diseases. Areas where these interventions are in place have a significantly lower burden of COVID-19 disease. States that have ignored these measures have up to 10 times more COVID-19 cases per capita than those who have been the most proactive. At the national level, this would translate into millions of avoidable COVID-19 infections and the resulting death and disability.
An exciting development in the fight against COVID-19 has been the introduction this week of a safe and effective vaccine. For several reasons, however, masking and physical distancing will remain necessary well into 2021. Wearing a mask can be slightly uncomfortable, and we all miss time with family and friends. This is not an undue burden to protect our community members from becoming ill. Sitka has many vulnerable residents who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease. While many of these individuals are taking appropriate precautions, this is not possible for all. Many are teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, daycare staff, or other critical infrastructure workers. Some are exposed by family members who bring the infection into the home.
Vulnerable individuals who find it necessary to buy their own groceries or conduct other essential activities should not be subjected to increased and avoidable risk. This is the time for us to pull together, to make small personal sacrifices for the greater good. In the 33 years that I have lived here, this is what Sitka does best. I implore the community to again rise to the occasion as we hopefully approach an end to the pandemic. In doing so, you will also protect yourself and your own family.
During the time it took you to read this letter, six more Americans have died of COVID-19 disease. Please wear a mask and follow public health guidance.
Dr. David Vastola, MD
Christmas Joy
Dear Editor: A package was delivered from Sitka Tribe, and I wanted to acknowledge those involved. I received a nice turkey, and a small bag of goodies. Now I love turkey as much as the next person, but the contents of the gift bag hit home hard!
Now, wouldn’t you guess. A facemask. Fresh and new in packaging. The scourge of COVID-19 can be slowed by this once insignificant item! Excellent choice! I am not a lip balm user, but my friend is, and now I have gifts to share. Tea is always welcome, along with smoked king salmon and RITZ! And shortbread cookies!
Awhile back, Pauline Duncan and I were in a class of herbal medicine taught by Patty Dick. We both thought, “Is this gonna work? Really?” It just so happened, Al cut his finger the next day. She applied the balm, away goes the pain, and it healed quickly. Job well done!
Included was a poem, written by Martin Strand, submitted by Marcia Strand.
I’ve heard him read plenty of them in the 90’s. Included is a picture of Martin, Herman Kitka and Ralph Guthrie. I was there. It is so wonderful! Life can be made much simpler listening to Elders. Thank you to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska for these thoughtful, timely gifts.
Gary Olson, Sitka
Toy Drive
Dear Editor: What a blessing is ours to live in Sitka! Thank you ever so much for the fantastic support for the Salvation Army and the American Legion’s toy drive! We are so grateful for the generosity of the individuals and families and businesses that gave beautiful toys and made financial donations. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We were also thrilled that the following businesses helped to sponsor the toy drive, and we wish to thank them publicly for their kindness: Toys for Tots, Sitka Sound Seafoods, Abby’s Reflection Apparel and Quiltworks, American Legion Auxiliary Ladies, Alaska Commercial Company/Lakeside, Sea Mart-Hames Corporation, KIFW-The Sound of Sitka, and Steve and Fern.
Christmas is proving to be different and difficult due to COVID-19, but God is faithfully good, and this was shown by the amazing love shared for others through the toy drive. Thank you, again!
In Christ’s love,
Majors John and Sabrina Tumey,
The Salvation Army Sitka
