OPINION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Why I wear the mask | What numbers mean | Legacy was trampled

Why I wear the mask

I wear a mask out in public because, from a standpoint of my health, it makes sense to me for me to wear one. I don't particularly enjoy wearing one, but I consider it a preventative measure on my part for my health. I consider it along the lines of getting a flu shot or staying hydrated or wearing sunglasses to block harmful ultraviolet rays from eyes. I am not making any sort of political statement by wearing one.

Some would say that if people take umbrage with mask-wearing because it shows a lack of support for someone politically, then all the better. I am not in a position to state that. So if anyone gets their fur in a wad because they see me wearing a mask, then that is something I must come to grips with.

BARRY THOMAS

Fayetteville

What numbers mean

Please help me understand what all of the numbers mean. How many people live in Arkansas? How many people have died from covid-19? Express this figure as a percentage. Before covid-19 began, what was the daily rate of deaths from all causes in Arkansas? Today how many daily deaths are from covid-19 compared to the number of pre-covid-19 daily deaths? Major media are reporting that many of the deaths throughout Arkansas and the United States are reported as covid-19 deaths; however, other sources, even the very hospitals, are reporting that not all of the daily deaths can be attributed to covid-19.

What is the real benefit of testing people who do not exhibit covid-19 symptoms? The huge number of people tested possibly could be asymptomatic at that very moment (snapshot) yet leave the testing site and be exposed to the virus via an infected person. Using testing as a positive metric reminds me of the body count used in Vietnam when I was there in 1968-1969. Worthless metric.

I pray our great nation will heal from this crisis and share the love for our fellow man. God bless America, God bless each citizen! Thanks for hearing my voice, albeit small as it is.

LOUIS BURNETT

Little Rock

Legacy was trampled

The late Republican governor of Arkansas, Win Rockefeller, 1967-1971, would be ashamed of today's Republican Party in Arkansas and nationally. He was colorblind and he sought to bring people together. He had moral courage that is in short supply today among our Republican elected officials.

His legacy has been trampled by today's Republican Party.

JOHN RUSS

Little Rock

So, where's the check?

Since making her "official" announcement that she's running for governor of Arkansas, I expect Leslie Rutledge will now pay back all the money the taxpayers spent on her pre-announcement campaign commercials.

TERRI NORDIN

Sherwood

Civil responsibilities

Destruction is easy; we see the president and demonstrators doing this. Construction and creating something that is of value and moves society forward takes action, discipline, time and dedication.

When something is destroyed, there needs to be a valid reason and something better to replace it. Destroying statues and history will generate hatred, not empathy and support for the current cause. This resentment can generate resistance to change and moving forward, not help it.

Should society also consider ripping out all references of slavery in the Bible and history books? This will not deny it ever happened; just hide it from future generations to be repeated. What about the changes in our moral compass? Some of society has different moral and ethical standards. Should we purge all names, statues and reference for the adulterous Martin Luther King Jr.? He did not represent the social and ethical qualities whose name should be on highways, streets, statues, buildings, and a holiday.

It is time to stop riding the slavery horse and using it as an excuse for other shortcomings and not meeting civil responsibility.

JERRY WAYNE DAVIS

Hot Springs

No camels in caravan

It was gratifying to read the thoughtful opinion columns in Sunday's Perspective section until I got to the John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera opinion about the Supreme Court's recent decision that struck down a Louisiana law that would have required doctors who provide abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. They interpreted this decision as giving "pro-lifers reasons to doubt Roe would ever be overturned" during Chief Justice Roberts' tenure.

Hallelujah; from their lips to God's ear! They consider abortion a "national evil" that is "unthinkable." Their opinion is understandable given that they will not be faced with thinking about making a decision to have one. God endowed only women with the power to give birth to life.

Christian or not, John and Roberto have no camels in that caravan. Until they do, I pray they don't ever do anything to a woman that puts her in a position that she has to make that choice.

BEVERLY JACOBS

Little Rock

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