Mash Notes, Hate Mail & Other Correspondence

To the Editor: Please consider using and promoting the use of the phrase “physical distancing” instead of the somewhat misleading “social distancing.” “Social distancing” is one of the steps everyone has been and is being advised to take to slow the spread of the corona virus. What the experts actually want us to do is practice “physical distancing.” As you may know, the SARS COV2 virus (technical name for it) is transmitted through physical contact and proximity—touching the eyes, lips, or nose with something contaminated with the virus, like your dirty fingers, or inhaling droplets from a sneeze or the exhalation of someone who has …

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To the Editor: It was heartening to read in the New York Times that scientists around the world are collaborating to combat the coronavirus. They have put aside all other work to simultaneously focus on the pandemic and are sharing information across borders on all forms of coronavirus research, including viral genome sequencing, vaccine testing, clinical trials, and medical treatment. Dr. Francesco Perrone of Italy said, “I never hear scientists—true scientists—speak in terms of nationality.” Dr. Yazdan Yazdanpanah of France describes the spirit which unites them,”What is important is to come up with a solution for everyone. The way to achieve that is to collaborate.” …

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To the Editor: When I was a brand new 2d Lieutenant in an engineer unit in Korea, I once told my platoon how we were going to build a bridge. As I was walking away my platoon sergeant said to the troops “What the Lieutenant meant to say was….” Of course, being a new Lieutenant, I took umbrage and went back to set the troops straight. We built the bridge my way. Three months later, the bridge washed out just as Sgt. Gould had said it would. This embarrassing but life-altering lesson was brought to mind when I listened to our Glorious Leader expound on …

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Dear Editor: Preventive steps were needed back in January, like ramping up the production of testing equipment, masks, ventilators, and hospital capacity. President I-knew-it-was-a-pandemic-long-ago did nothing! Actually, he did something: he minimized and denied the problem. The growing numbers of virus cases and deaths is alarming, and enraging, considering that much of the damage and death was preventable, if the Corona Criminal had followed the recommendations of our own government’s health professionals. With the projection of more than 100,000 deaths from the Trump virus, the President qualifies as a mass murderer. Let’s hope the Karma of Justice is swift and thorough. Bruce Joffe Piedmont, Calif.

To the Editor: It’s unacceptable that the U.S. might have 80,000 to 200,000 CoronaVirus-caused-deaths! It’s also unacceptable to have 20 million infected Americans, four million suffering with serious symptoms, and almost one million hospitalized. Nevertheless, these are Dr. Fauci’s and Dr. Birx’s projections with the current level of mitigation. Obviously that mitigation level is inadequate! We Must Do Better! Americans want to protect ourselves, our families, co-workers, neighbors, doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers, and others. We need to know how to better protect everyone, and we need frequent reminders to change lifelong habits. The primary exposure is breathing droplets containing the CoronaVirus into our lungs. …

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To the Editor: I have been deeply concerned about many N.H. policies and actions regarding our response to Covid-19, but the State Liquor Store policy is one of the most dangerous, unjustifiable, and fraught with moral, legal and ethical problems. Some thoughts to consider: 1. What is the State policy if a worker refuses to work under the conditions that the State admits that a worker, “may bear a heightened risk of exposure to and community transmission of Covid-19 to a degree not inherent to the performance of other state services?” Are they fired, placed on leave without pay, asked to take vacation/sick leave, etc? …

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