Letters to the Editor: Inspired by students, teachers as virtual school gets underway

Together, online

Recently, Fayette County students started the school year virtually. As a Fayette County educator for 27 years, I can assure everyone that teachers prefer in-person instruction. But safety comes first. We’ve worked hard to learn new digital platforms. As an art teacher at Cardinal Valley Elementary school, I am using the Zoom platform to deliver synchronous instruction.

My first day, I had 50 fifth-grade students log in. It was chaotic as I admitted all the students into the meeting, reviewed expectations, muted microphones, and watched the chat. But we were excited to see each other: The high number of participants made us feel successful.

An adorable class of second graders was next, learning content in both English and Spanish. We reviewed expectations, took a tour of the virtual art room, listened to a story, and then drew a mouse together following a video.

Then I saw the most incredible image on my screen: 30 second-grade students simultaneously showing their artwork, smiling proudly. Excited about art. I wish we could be together, but for now Zoom makes education possible. And sometimes it inspires both student and teacher.

Michelle Armstrong, Lexington

Sheltered by science

I am commenting on two recent letters to the editor. In one, the writer appears to imply that if asymptomatic tests weren’t included in the COVID-19 data, they cease to be a problem. My understanding of biology, other than one high school class, is gleaned from reading and listening to those with training in the many related fields of study. Add to that the brain given me by God, and I call foul. Asymptomatic doesn’t mean you are not or cannot be a spreader. Google Big Moose Inn in Maine. About 65 attendees turned into well over a 100 positives with at least three deaths.

The same writer stated “Death rates are not increasing.” Yeah? So what. The number of deaths is increasing. And, based on the data, the totals will increase and increase. A “not increasing death rate” offers no comfort.

To the second letter writer: The differences between the flu and COVID-19 are so numerous and significant as to make this effort to equate the two, based on comments about Planned Parenthood, a political effort not really concerned with the current knowledge base.

Each of us believes and does what we wish. As for me and mine, we feel better protected by following the science.

Bennie G. Patton, Berea

Eliminate franking

Thoughts on supporting the U.S. Postal Service during the coming election.

There is a quite simple way to enable the post office to manage the extra volume, and it not only costs nothing, it saves taxpayers a significant amount of money. Between now and Election Day, the USPS will be delivering to every residence a dozen or two campaign flyers from incumbents who will be abusing their franking privileges. Franking (mailings from the government printing service at no cost to senators and representatives) was intended only for distribution of information to voters on the issues. These days, that is done via media, and franking is used only as a free, subsidized campaign tactic by incumbents, giving them an unfair advantage at our expense. Let us start a movement to eliminate franking immediately, to eliminate concerns about the capabilities of the post office. Please contact both your representatives and their challengers. This may be the only time in modern history when we have an opportunity to fix this.

Phillip Bisbee, Versailles

‘Defund’ McConnell

It’s called “franking privileges”. Elected politicians love it. It allows them to mail at taxpayers expense glowing report cards of their good deeds to voters. It costs taxpayers around $30 million a year for politicians to have “free” postage; election years more.

President Donald J. Trump calls postal service a “joke” but as president he along with all living presidents receive “free” postage for life. What a boon to Donald advertising his for-profit golf resorts.

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s fingerprints are all over the 2006 Republican-controlled Congress’ postal prefunding mandate. What law and order politicians gave Postmaster General Louis DeJoy permission to remove and destroy government property? None other than Trump and McConnell working together again to defund and destroy our government.

Kentucky needs to defund Millionaire Mitch by firing him on Nov. 3.

Judy Rembacki, Georgetown