Letters to the Editor: A family lesson from 1918 flu pandemic. Social distancing works.

Learn from 1918

When the great influenza epidemic hit, my mother, Ruby Glass Mastin (1898-1983), was living with her parents, five brothers, and two sisters on a Scott County farm.

My mother told me that they were advised to stay quarantined on their farm, and they all did, never once going into town (Stamping Ground) until the danger was past.

Not one of the 10 family members ever got the flu. They all continued to live healthy lives for years, one brother even to the age of 96.

Social distancing works.

Wini Yunker, Nicholasville

Thank you, Lexington

This is a letter of gratitude to the Lexington community. Last month, my younger brother, Jake Gibbs, died unexpectedly. Jake was a longtime resident of Lexington and the councilmember who represented Lexington’s Third District.

My brother’s sudden death was a shock to our family. The memorial service for Jake at the Kentucky Theatre went a long way in ameliorating our pain. I consider the outpouring of care and support a testimony to the character of the people of Lexington. My family will always appreciate how the Lexington community came together for us in our time of need.

My sisters and I and our spouses and children are forever grateful to the people of Lexington. You embraced us with care and warmth when we most needed it. Jake’s wife, Anita Courtney, and his daughters, Delia and Delaney, will continue to reside in Lexington, and our family is comforted by the knowledge that they will remain members of the most supportive community that we have ever encountered.

John J. Gibbs, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Gorton, Beshear shine

A very special thanks to Mayor Linda Gorton here in Lexington keeping us informed on this crisis going on. And thanks to our Gov. Andy Beshear for his work with all Kentuckians. He is very concerned for this commonwealth of Kentucky. He has given us long hours. It’s very much appreciated and needed at this time. My prayers to both of them that God will grant unto them His richest and bountiful blessings.

Flora Byrd, Lexington

McConnell a helper

Growing up we were always taught to lend a helping hand to our neighbors during times of need, and that sentiment is truer than ever as the coronavirus sweeps across Kentucky and the country.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak I recently found myself needing a helping hand. Thankfully, I did not have to search far because Sen. Mitch McConnell’s team was right there to help. Because I cannot leave my home, they brought me a meal, and I’m not the only one benefitting.

Team Mitch put its normal routines on pause and instead, is bringing hot meals or groceries to Kentuckians who cannot leave their homes because they, like me, are at risk of contracting the coronavirus. Instead of viewing the current health crisis as an opportunity to push his politics, Senator McConnell’s team is going above and beyond to help Kentuckians.

In Washington, the senator led efforts to pass economic relief to those who lost their jobs or businesses that are struggling to remain open. Through his work, folks in Kentucky and across America will receive the support they need.

I’m grateful to have a senator that is doing everything possible to ensure Kentuckians are being taken care of during this health crisis.

Shirley A. West, Lexington

McConnell doesn’t care

The coronavirus, COVID-19, has caused us to exercise extreme measures and to make changes in our daily lives. But it should not stifle discourse or democracy.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (the Grim Reaper), who has a team that pushes news releases to the media, asked an opponent to stop the campaign ads while his team continued to issue press releases that are positive messages about him and negative about others.

McConnell also continues to issue, with greater frequency, his newsletters in which he touts his own acts and simultaneously exudes the venom of partisanship against the other side.

Kentucky voters have delivered six terms — 35 years — to McConnell. He has abused the privilege and erodes our democracy and society. The recognition of society, the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community, is foreign to McConnell. The cries of despair are overcoming the whispers of backdoor lobbyists bearing bribes on behalf of corporate welfare supporters of McConnell.

As he has done every sixth year, he comes around and falsely claims he cares about people. He does not.

Vote McConnell out next election day.

Jamie Kirven, Louisville

Columbia Gas op-ed

The opinion piece by Kimra Cole, head of Columbia Gas of Kentucky, brought to mind former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel’s comment concerning never passing up the opportunity of a “good crisis”.

Approximately two or three years ago I contacted the Kentucky Public Service Commission, pursuing a hook up to natural gas. They referred me to Columbia Gas, which has a transmission line located approximately 700 feet horizontal distance from my house. Columbia did some contact and correspondence with our residents (which may number 15 or less homes) and subsequently decided it wasn’t profitable enough. Since that time at least three homes have installed propane tanks approximately the size of 250 gallons.

Needless to say I was unimpressed by Cole’s muse about Columbia Gas.

Greg Hayes, Pikeville

Medevac services crucial

Americans in more populated areas have the luxury of knowing that when they are sick or in critical condition there is a hospital nearby to take care of them. Rural Kentucky residents do not share this same luxury. We are often miles from the nearest highways, and even then it can take hours to get to a clinic or treatment center. As a registered nurse, I have seen lots of cases that required immediate medical attention for any chance of survival. Kentuckians’ lives are on the line.

The solution is protected access to air medical services. Air medical providers can medevac individuals to a Level I or Level II trauma center while caring for patients on board and flying over traffic. Those in the medical field agree that access to air medical services saves lives. I strongly urge Sen. Mitch McConnell to support legislation that protects patients in rural Kentucky. We don’t have the same luxuries as other Americans who live nearby hospitals; we need access to care.

Gina Dentinger, Louisville

Unfair to CNAs

I am writing to express my sharp disappointment with the federal stimulus package’s extra $600 weekly offered to unemployed workers during the COVID-19 crisis. While I understand that this gesture is meant to help those who find themselves unemployed during this time, it inadvertently ends up being grossly unfair to a class of workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic: certified nursing assistants (CNAs).

Most CNAs make barely above the poverty level. Those who work at nursing homes or hospitals are still required to report to work during this pandemic. Worse, they are often on the front line of this pandemic, dealing with the elderly or the sick — caring for high-risk individuals. Do they receive any bonus for such hazardous duty? No. Financially, these individuals would be better off being laid off; those who find themselves unemployed during this crisis will, for the next four months, find themselves making more per week than the underpaid healthcare workers upon which our nation now depends. This is sad.

I hope my representatives immediately take measures to correct this injustice. As stands, the message the stimulus bill sends is clear: Dear underpaid healthcare workers, thank you for your service but we really don’t value you.

Anthony Brusate, Lexington

Bailout fund oversight

So the coronavirus bailout package includes $500 billion for corporations; Congress insisted upon the appointment of an inspector general and a five-person board to oversee the dispensation of these funds. This is to ensure that the funds are dispensed in a lawful, reasonable manner to ensure that entities who should not receive bailouts do not get them. President Donald Trump now says that he does not recognize the authority of Congress to oversee this process and that “he will oversee it himself.” At this point only a complete idiot cannot see what is at play here: Trump and his associates, Jared Kushner, the Trump spawn, etc., are setting themselves up to loot the fund. Just consider his record: Trump University, the Trump Foundation, the Trump “charities”, bankrupt casinos, and on and on. The man is a complete and utter swine and will steal as much from this fund as he can. We know what is going to happen; we should not be surprised when the serial offender reoffends.

Jim Porter, Danville

Listen to doctors!

I’m concerned about fellow believers in Christ who refuse to listen to instruction on how to stay safe during this national health crisis — COVID-19.

As followers of Christ, we are to be an example for all others. We are instructed that our bodies are a temple of God that we are to take care of.

It’s hard to understand why some people insist on physically attending church at this time. It’s defiling their temple and being a bad example to others we are to be examples to.

It endangers themselves and all others they come in contact with, like store clerks.

I wonder why so many do not listen to the people whom God blessed us with: doctors. He blessed them with the knowledge of how to instruct us on how to stay healthy. Therefore, God blesses us through them.

In 1969, Dr. David Smith of Baptist Bible College, Missouri, said these wise words at a retreat I attended in Lake Placid, Florida: “Only a fool learns thereby if forewarned.”

Good instruction.

So why are so many not listening to the people God blessed us with to get us through this crisis?

Robin Osgood, Lexington