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Focus on vulnerable,
young on virus risks
The COVID-19 vaccine is coming. Will it be effective, long lasting, or widely used? Nobody knows. It’s insanity to simply wait. It is also insanity to keep doing the same thing despite repeated failures.
Lockdowns only delay exposures. Once you open, the vulnerable will begin to die again. Statistics show that 83% of the deaths are for people over the age of 60, yet they are only 17% of the California population.
We must change our focus. Younger people not following the mask-wearing rules are not our focus, it is those over 60 and those with health issues. Educate the youth to wear their masks when with the vulnerable. Educate the vulnerable to increase their guard.
If and when the vaccine comes, hopefully, everyone will take it. Meanwhile, get those who are less vulnerable back to their livelihoods while doubling our efforts to increase the resources and attention toward protecting the vulnerable.
Neil Kennedy
Los Gatos
Congress, act now
on climate change
It’s not surprising that millions have been cut from the proceeds of cap and trade because of the economic fallout from COVID-19.
After all, the virus appears to be affecting just about every facet of the economy. California, long thought to be a leader with regard to climate change, is just one of many states committed to taking individual action on climate.
But one thing that this pandemic has taught us is that states acting individually — and without a cohesive national policy or plan — cannot adequately tackle an issue as big as COVID-19 or climate change.
We’ve learned the hard way that lack of national leadership on the pandemic has been devastating. Do we want to make the same mistake with climate change? It’s time for Congress to take national bipartisan action on climate. Enacting HR 763 would be a great place to start.
Paula Danz
Los Altos
S.J. busy destroying
treasured landmarks
Re: “Letter: Demolishing trestle waste of taxpayer dollars” (Letters to the Editor, Opinion section, Aug. 2)
For years historic preservationists have asked the same questions Roger Evans asks.
Razing the Willow Glen Trestle was a waste of taxpayer money. The trestle could have been rehabilitated for less cost, and the purchase of a steel bridge was done prematurely. We also asked why. And it never made sense except keeping from losing face and a personal vendetta.
Our Willow Glen piece of history is now gone and we have lost another structure that told an interesting story. Isn’t it ironic that while we are reviewing candidates for a new city landmark , San Jose is busy tearing down our treasured old landmarks such as the trestle, the former California Bank building, McCabe Hall and many other eligible structures.
I like the creativity of a new city landmark, but can’t we keep our historic landmarks too?
Gayle Frank
San Jose
Forfeit games for
partying ball teams
Kudos to the Oakland A’s for following COVID-19 safety protocols.
But why are teams that obviously violate those rules allowed to have their games postponed, but not forfeited?
If possible exposure to a deadly virus isn’t enough to deter these professional athletes from partying like it’s 2019, then an automatic loss — or several — might encourage compliance and save this already shortened baseball season.
Debbie Duncan
Stanford
S.J. weighs landmark
at expense of needy
Re: “Pizarro: Grizzly, loop, waterfall are among ideas for landmark” (Sal Pizarro, B1, Aug. 2)
For shame on a city that imagines a landmark is the most pressing issue to be dealt with when there are homeless human beings trying to survive on streets and under overpasses.
People, through no fault of their own, are behind on rent and trying to put food on the table. Where children do not have the ability to have all the technology needed to start school. What is wrong with people? Can we not have more empathy and less entitlement? How many millions of dollars need to be flaunted for San Jose to have a new landmark?
Think of what that money could mean to hundreds of families who are truly suffering for choosing San Jose for the place they call home.
Susan Kuhl
Sunnyvale
