Hilton Head alligator ‘riding’ display sad, and very disturbing | Letters
I think the display at the capture on an alligator last week on Hilton Head Island is absolutely very disturbing.
These alligators, along with other wildlife, should be protected. These people “riding” the bound alligator were not in the right.
I have lived on this island since I was 15. That poor sweet animal should have been let go. Like people, they are not all bad.
We lived in Hilton Head Plantation. My father and I fished in the biggest lagoon. It’s people who are disrupting our beautiful island.
I remember when they had a sanctuary for relocated alligators near Savannah. What has happened? It’s not fair to our wildlife refuge. Very sad and disturbing to see this.
Jane Hanson
Hilton Head island
Literally, draw line in the sand at Bay Point Island
I’d like to second (or 5th or 12th ... whatever) the recent letters imploring the Beaufort County Zoning Board of Appeals to reject the proposal for development of Bay Point Island by a Thailand-based company.
The writers’ cogent arguments cite complete lack of infrastructure, environmental issues, and hurricane response, among other legitimate concerns.
The developers propose an eco-tourism resort, as if the “eco” implies concern and will placate those opposed. Riiiight. Go explain that to the migrating birds and nesting turtles.
No, this is one instance when those with the authority should draw that line in the sand – literally – and not allow anything to be erected except “No Trespassing” signs.
Herb Zimmerman
Bluffton
No, COVID-19 not just another flu. Figures don’t lie
We’ve heard some politicians of the “reopen now” crowd, say that COVID-19 is “just another flu.” As the old saying goes “figures lie and liars figure.”
This all to salvage an economy cratering from a real national security threat. And the ultimate goal, to save multiple political careers, including the president’s.
JAMA Internal Medicine today describes the flu vs. COVID comparisons as not only flawed, but as comparing apples to oranges.
Flu deaths are estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and not actual counts like COVID. In the best comparisons, COVID deaths are five times higher than flu deaths. Worst case scenarios, COVID deaths range from 9.5X to 44X death rates of flu, when using actual comparable data.
In conclusion, the authors state:
“Directly comparing data for two different diseases when mortality statistics are obtained by different methods provides inaccurate information. Moreover, the repeated failure of government officials and others in society to consider these statistical distinctions threatens public health. Government officials may rely on such comparisons, thus misinterpreting the CDC’s data, when they seek to reopen the economy and de-escalate mitigation strategies. Although officials may say that SARS-CoV-2 is ‘just another flu,’ this is not true.”
This posture of denying science and math in favor of political expedience will cause many Americans to lose their lives needlessly. You may not mind #Dying for the Dow, but I do.
As a wise old man once said, “Mother Nature always bats last. And she always bats a thousand.”
John MacLaurin DO
Hilton Head Island
Staying safe in pandemic is not complicated
Following up on David Lauderdale’s May 21 column on staying safe being a personal decision, I would like to add that the last couple of months have afforded all of us a crash course in protecting ourselves from the coronavirus, the flu and the common cold. Now it is the responsibility of each of us to use that knowledge in self-monitoring our own safety.
The CliffsNotes are as follows: (1) Stay home as much as possible; (2) when you do go out, cover up as much as you can; (3) tip-toe around crowds, waving from a distance; and (4) wash your hands (and clothes) anytime you think they might have been contaminated or compromised in any way. It is really not that complicated.
Also, choose restaurants and other commercial interests based on how interested they are in protecting your health and theirs. Right now the only restaurant I am frequenting is one where only locals go, thereby staying away from tourists who might be importing the virus to Hilton Head Island.
We have survived admirably as a community and as long as we stay local, we should continue to do well going forward. Again, it is not that complicated.
Tom Dorsel
Hilton Head Island
Wear a mask
for loved ones
Why I wear a mask ...
Because my son suffers from a debilitating disease and the treatments he has to endure compromise his already-fragile immune system.
I wear a mask because you might have a loved one you care about as well.
Lesa Moser Johnson
Lady’s Island
USA too proud
to wear masks?
Who are we? Are we too proud or vain to wear masks?
Our brave men and women who have fought, served and died for our freedom since the 1770s to this very present day should be honored by our small task of wearing a face mask.
Please do your part so we can one day wave the checkered flag together and will win the COVID-19 race and war.
Roberta Rice
Bluffton
Help appreciated
on unemployment
I wanted you to know about the wonderful experience I had with the staff of Sen. Tom Davis. Without them I could have never solved the problem of collecting unemployment through the CARES Act for self-employed people.
Davis’ assistant Rebecca Wiesehahn was able to contact the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce for me and one of their claims representatives contacted me and walked me through the application, and answered my questions on the CARES Act for self-employed people.
Prior to this, I had spent four weeks trying to fill out applications at 4 a.m. to be able to access the system and then having that application be nebulous and not applicable to self-employed people. And then after being denied that application, I was directed to fill out a second application for self-employed people and then again I had difficulty understanding how some of the questions were applicable.
And, just wanted to give a shout out to the claims department at DEW for the professionalism on the phone and explaining some of the questions and technology to me.
Bottom line, I have never had to collect unemployment in my life and I am usually booked for months in advance with my work, and COVID caused my work for four to six months to cancel on me, leaving me with no means of support.
I just wanted to share my appreciation to the government and Tom Davis and Rebecca for their help and throwing me a lifeline.
Christine Collins
Hilton Head Island
Trump hurts
people in need
Thank you so much, President Trump. Because of you and your erroneously incorrect information about Hydroxychloroquine, this medication is now out of stock from the manufacturer for people who actually need the medication.
The fact that you are taking it needlessly is showing total lack of judgment. To say, “Why not? It can’t hurt” shows your total lack of compassion. Yes, it is hurting the people who need this medicine.
My concern is also for the fact that doctors are writing prescriptions for people who don’t need this medication. Also, this will add to the cost of drug coverage.
I truly hope that there will be a cure developed soon for this horrible virus, but it won’t be Hydroxychloroquine.
Linda Smith
Bluffton