If we’re not careful, we will lose the Hilton Head Island that we have come to love

On Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head is not an environmental island paradise. The island is run for people — mostly white — and for recreation and growth hidden under the guise of “ecotourism.”

The basic integrity of our island as a maritime forest — one that is surrounded by beach sands, estuaries, ocean and salt marshes — diminishes daily. An old alligator emerging from his home and being wrangled in front of a whooping hysterical crowd at a miniature golf course is a good example of what we have compromised.

Changing a state law, posting signs or demonstrating before the Town Council will not cure our basic sickness, which is “me-ism.” We humans get rid of anything in our way; the icky stuff that upsets our personal agendas —like naughty gators, weeds, snakes, spiders and even sweet gum trees.

I attended meetings of the town’s environmental visionary committee, which was charged with promoting a 20-year vision for Hilton Head strategic planning.

But the plan mentions nothing about halting random overuse of pesticides which kill the plants and pollinators that are critical to sustaining the health of our environment.

There is no mention of noise and light pollution.

Nor is there any mention of the need to maybe completely halt growth and substitute some idle green space.

We need a city administration that stops supporting more and more “people places” and — like the gutsy Lorax — starts speaking up for the trees.

The phony platitude of “ecotourism” is outdated. Do we dare to invite native species back to live safely with respect? Can we bring back a little wilderness?

Debby Boots, Hilton Head Island

On COVID-19 testing

In mid-July I went to St. Gregory Catholic Church in Bluffton to take advantage of the free COVID-19 testing that the state Department of Health and Environmental Control held in the parking lot.

The testing site was extremely organized, the staff was very friendly and I was pleased and grateful that DHEC was providing this service to the public.

But I am very surprised that I have yet to be contacted by DHEC about my results — this despite the fact that when I was tested, I was given a card telling me that I would be informed of my results by phone in 7 to 10 business days.

I had just come into Bluffton after leaving New York City, and in addition to quarantining myself at home I wanted to be tested to be extra cautious. Luckily I was tested for free in Brooklyn, N. Y., at an urgent care right before I came to South Carolina — and that test was negative.

I’m uninsured and I have called physician offices across the Bluffton/Hilton Head area about getting another test. But if you don’t have insurance, the test will cost you $125.

I’m lucky that I don’t have to go to work or miss out on pay while waiting for my results from DHEC. But how many other people are waiting for calls from the department about their results?

I worry about those who may be missing work as they wait. And, of course, I worry about those who may be positive but not know it.

Rachel Hale, Bluffton

This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 11:30 AM.