Anti-Mask Flyer
Dear Editor: This is in response to the anti-mask mandate flyer in my P.O. mailbox, posted from Louisville, Kentucky. It referenced a May 2020 CDC article: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article.
If you read the report you will note that the science in this May 2020 CDC report is based on research on the effectiveness of face masks between 1946 and July 2018. This report states, and I quote the authors, “Most studies were underpowered because of limited sample size, and some studies also reported suboptimal adherence in the face mask group.” Hmmmmm? This report is over three years old.
This is the latest CDC Delta Variant update: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html.
On July 27, 2021, CDC released updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated. CDC issued this new guidance due to several concerning developments and newly emerging data signals.
First, a significant increase in new cases reversed what had been a steady decline since January 2021. In the days leading up to our guidance update, CDC saw a rapid and alarming rise in the COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates around the country.
In late June, the seven-day moving average of reported cases was around 12,000. On July 27, the seven-day moving average of cases reached over 60,000. This case rate looked more like the rate of cases we had seen before the vaccine was widely available.
Second, new data began to emerge that the Delta variant was more infectious and was leading to increased transmissibility when compared with other variants, even in some vaccinated individuals. This includes recently published data from CDC and our public health partners, unpublished surveillance data that will be publicly available in the coming weeks, information included in CDC’s updated Science Brief on COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination, and ongoing outbreak investigations linked to the Delta variant.
Delta is currently the predominant variant of the virus in the United States.
There is a high-level summary of what CDC scientists have recently learned about the Delta variant on the CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html.
It’s an easy read. It explains so non-medical types like me can understand.
P.S.: The flyer also mentioned https://www.fda.gov/media/137121/download.
This is a communication from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Manufacturers of Face masks. Not sure why it was referenced as it seems to support the use of face masks.
I feel like my P.O. box was hacked.
Vern Culp, Sitka
Thank You, YuYos
Dear Editor: I just wanted to thank YuYos Restaurant for their kindness and compassion they showed without hesitation to me and my sister Deborah during a recent medical incident. I am home.
Thank you, YuYos, for going above and beyond what you do as a business.
A grateful customer,
Johanna Alimorong, Sitka
Pandemic
Dear Editor: The thing that really puzzles me is: when did we stop following the science? I know at the beginning of the pandemic everyone was claiming to follow the science, and I know first-hand just how much work it takes to find the actual science in the forest of opinion, propaganda, shame, blame and outright lies. Not to mention government recommendations changing as fast as Sitka weather. I know how hard it is to separate scientists with integrity from scientists who are political puppets or pursuing personal wealth.
I work hard to find actual credentialed, practicing, and respected experts to get real facts. I go to America’s Frontline Doctors for my information, and they have a variety of videos and studies that show, among other topics, there are ONLY two types of masks that could possibly stop COVID transmission and then ONLY if they are worn correctly. Very few people are even using those particular masks. They also have Dr. Dan Stock’s short, clear, and very informative video.
I have also read and listened carefully to Dr. Robert W. Malone, who developed the mRNA technique being used for most of the vaccines and what he addresses is very alarming regarding the intense pressure to vaccinate people being the very thing that is driving more and more deadly variants of the virus evolving.
It seems obvious to me that COVID won’t be behind us anytime soon and that our way of life is changing. It leaves me with more questions than answers. Why are the most heavily vaccinated countries and states the ones with the highest rate of serious cases? Why are countries that make Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine available nearly COVID-free while countries like ours that block its use are still showing high numbers? There are more studies and research results becoming available weekly and I think it serves us all to inform ourselves and identify scientific evidence and fact as compared to celebrity endorsements, threats of job loss and increasingly un-substantiated rules and strident rhetoric.
For those of you who do not have the skills to research and find your own answers, you can visit with me and I am happy to show you how.
Karen Parker, Sitka
Vote for Moreno
Dear Editor: Rachel Moreno would make an excellent member of the Assembly. Her years of experience on the Tribal Council have given her the ability to respect different perspectives and the diplomacy to find solutions to difficult problems. The fact that Rachel has spent eight years on the council shows the degree of her willingness to serve her community in a challenging governmental role.
In all my interactions with Rachel over the years, I have found a person of compassion, humor, and good intent. I think we should give her a chance to serve the broader community of Sitka as a member of the Assembly.
Randy Hughey, Sitka
Mask Mandate
Dear Editor: I am writing to the Assembly in opposition of the mask mandate. Though I feel that masks are not working to stop the spread of the virus, and may in fact be unhealthy for the wearer, and that personal freedoms need to be upheld, I feel like these points may only fall on deaf ears. Therefore, my argument to oppose the mask mandate will be based in reasons more pertinent to the function of the Assembly, and the city, and our community.
This mandate does not make sense in that it does not apply to all businesses equally. A store must require all people to be masked, while a restaurant, or bar does not. And it could not be written different, to require equal masking in all businesses, or the restaurant, or bar could not function. It seems that a restaurant, or bar full of unmasked people, eating, drinking talking, hanging out for an hour or longer in close proximity to one another is a great way to transmit COVID, according to the experts. A much more likely place than a grocery store, where you might be shopping for only a few minutes, yet you must be masked. Does this make sense? After listening to the Assembly meeting on Sept. 14 and hearing business owners say that customers were not wanting to patronize a business because they did not want to be forced to wear a mask, how can this mandate be carried forward legally and fairly? It affects different types of businesses in different ways.
The Assembly should consider the negative impacts that this type of action will have on our WHOLE community, not just the positive impact that you think it will have on a portion of the community.
I appreciate the Assembly’s consideration and the effort that they put towards making Sitka a great place to live.
Noah Dougan, Sitka
Mask Issue
Dear Editor: Having lived in Sitka since 1985 I am well aware that we seem to be evenly divided on most topics 49% to 51%. I have always thought that this was a good thing especially when it is a political issue. When it is not a political issue but one of health and safety we tend to be a little more cohesive. For this reason I am a little surprised and disappointed when the COVID-19 virus mask issue became so contentious and political.
This morning I received a flyer in the mail which amazed me. This flyer indicated that mandates for masks in public places, for the safety and health of our citizens, is not legal. This it indicated is based on two things, ‘‘informed consent’’ and ‘‘patients’ rights!’’
Let’s take a look at informed consent. Informed, I believe means looking at all the science, extended studies and history of whatever it is you are making an informed consent regarding. Science has been very clear regarding the importance of wearing masks to slow down or stop the spread of COVID-19. Studies in ‘‘controlled environments’’ show a dramatic decline in the spread of said disease. As for history let’s look at the 1918-1919 pandemic. There seems to be no or very little doubt that masks slowed that pandemic enough to get it under control. Let’s not forget that that pandemic was the cause of way more deaths per capita than COVID-19 to date.
The other issue, patients’ rights, is a ‘‘sticky’’ right, kind of like ‘‘personal freedom.’’ What do you do when ‘‘my right’’ infringes on ‘‘your right,’’ especially when it directly affects your right to be COVID-free or your right to live?
I may sound a little socialistic, but I believe we have an obligation to look out for the wellbeing of our family, friends and neighbors.
Wearing a mask does not seem like much of a sacrifice to help keep family, friends and neighbors healthy and alive!
John DeLong, Sitka
