Carbon Pollution
Dear Editor: In order to reduce the carbon pollution in the United States, an economy-wide price on carbon would be a good start. The idea is to place a price on fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, oil, and methane).
Of the developed countries in the world, the United States is one of two NOT setting a price on carbon. The other country is Australia which currently mines coal. Cutting carbon pollution by 50% by 2030 is possible, and that will lead us to reach net zero by 2050. Because polluting will be made more expensive, polluters will have an incentive to find other ways to slash emissions. There are already many options available (solar, wind, oceans, hydrogen, geothermal & hydropower).
If it is more expensive to pollute, the search for ways to cut emissions will incentivize more innovative options.
Please write to President Biden, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan, and encourage each of them to sponsor a fee on carbon. This could easily be added to the budget reconciliation package.
Judith K. Steffen, member of
Citizens’ Climate Lobby,
Sitka Chapter
Get Vaccinated
Dear Editor: I am surprised to see in the Oct. 21 newspaper that there was no social distancing and no face coverings. It’s getting old reading about new positives of COVID-19 cases.
It would be nice to see how far out after the last dose of COVID vaccines people were, when they tested positive for COVID-19.
Since the FDA and CDC approved mixed “booster” vaccines, I strongly encourage folks who are eligible to receive the booster vaccines. Folks who are not vaccinated, PLEASE get your vaccine against COVID-19 and since it is flu season, also get your flu vaccines.
It is time for Sitka to show the rest of the state on how to halt COVID-19 once and for all.
Let’s do it, Sitka!
Cornelia Hübscher, Sitka
Vaccine
Dear Editor: I will not be getting the COVID vaccine. A choice I have made for my own health and wellbeing. I have seen this pandemic and the vaccine solution erode our democracy, divide our community, and in many cases divide families. I have seen the federal government, with the help of the media, and social media companies, eradicate free speech. Calling any information contrary to their goal of 100% vaccination “misinformation,” or “disinformation.” I have seen a one sided propaganda campaign by the media and federal government trying to coerce and scare the unvaccinated people into changing their minds. I have seen mandates from companies, cities, states, and the federal government that force the vaccine on the working class who have remained hard at work throughout this pandemic, supporting those who chose to stay at home, or were furloughed. I have seen prizes and money being handed out to newly vaccinated people. If something is a great product that works as advertised it will sell itself. Coercion, propaganda, social pressure, prizes and cash will not be necessary. Many people are weary of the vaccine for good reasons.
First of all, is this vaccine necessary for all age groups and healthy people, or people who have natural immunity? The answer is no. The risks of severe illness and death from covid for many age groups is miniscule. While the risk of injury and death from the vaccine may also be a small percentage, it absolutely exists. The CDC tracks vaccine reactions and deaths via a database called VAERS. The current VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) numbers for the covid vaccines authorized for use in the United States as of 10/15/2021 are as follows: 123,827 serious reactions, 17,128 deaths. Knowing this information, how is it ethical to coerce, mandate, reward, or even ask our friends and neighbors and loved ones to get the covid vaccine? This is why it must remain each individual’s choice. I will remain standing up for my freedoms and the freedoms of all of my friends, neighbors, and loved ones.
Noah Dougan, Sitka
