Rubber bullets can cause blindness
In the past months, Americans engaged in peaceful protests have been blinded by the use of rubber bullets fired at the face.
While classified as non-lethal, rubber bullets are not non-blinding. These life-altering eye injuries are a common result of urban warfare, rioting and crowd dispersion. We have seen it around the world, and we now see it in our country.
Following numerous serious injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) calls on domestic law enforcement officials to immediately end the use of rubber bullets and other projectiles to control or disperse crowds of protesters. The academy asks physicians, public health officials and the public to condemn this practice. We, as ophthalmologists, are writing today to express our support of the AAO’s initiative.
Americans have the right to speak and congregate publicly and should be able to do so without the fear of blindness. People should not have to choose between using their voice and losing their vision.
Erin Salcone, MD
Michael Zegans, MD
Norwich
Where a candidate lives matters
The Hanover Democratic Primary ballot lists multiple candidates for the state House but only one is from Lyme. Based on the sample ballot, which doesn’t say which town the candidates are from, a voter wouldn’t know that.
Does this make a difference? I think so. Maybe Hanover voters would consider geographic diversity so people don’t write its delegation off as disconnected from the rest of the Upper Valley. The Lyme candidate, Joanna Jaspersohn, also offers a choice for economic and racial diversity. Like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jaspersohn has worked as a server in local restaurants while getting her college degree. She is Asian American and has experienced discrimination firsthand. Unlike many of the Hanover resident candidates, she has to work to survive. She has been an EMT, among other jobs, and is now combining employment with the civic need of helping with the Census.
But regardless, it was surprising to see none of the candidates’ towns of residence on the ballot.
Tom Trunzo
Orford
Coronavirus numbers tell the story
A recent AP poll indicates that nearly one-third of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are one of those, consider these facts:
■More than 178,000 Americans have died from the virus so far — about 25% of worldwide deaths, although the U.S. has only 4% of the world’s population.
■According to Johns Hopkins University, 54 of every 100,000 Americans have been killed by the virus. In Germany the number is 11 in 100,000; in Australia, 2; and in Japan, it’s fewer than 1.
■In the midst of the pandemic, the current unemployment rate in the U.S. is 10.2%; in Australia it’s 7.5%; in Germany 4.2%; and in Japan 2.9%.
Most other major industrialized nations have responded to the coronavirus much more aggressively than we have — with widespread testing, contact tracing, masks and closings. As a result, many fewer of their citizens have died or fallen ill or lost their jobs.
President Trump continues to brag about his “success” in combating the virus. But the numbers speak for themselves.
Stephen Dycus
Strafford
A mask maker hangs up her thread
I’m writing in recognition of the hard work of Mary Beth Frings Stocken, who, since March has coordinated the Upper Valley Mask Makers. The Mask Makers are a group of local sewists, some beginners and many with a lot of experience, who have banded together on Facebook to supply organizations in the Upper Valley with hand-sewn cloth masks. Mary Beth has poured countless hours — up to 12 hours a day — into answering members’ questions, fulfilling requests, procuring and distributing materials and delivering masks. Most recently, she coordinated a massive effort to supply Upper Valley schools with thousands of masks for students and teachers.
Mary Beth has announced that she will be stepping down from the role to take a well deserved rest. Many thanks to Mary Beth!
Rebecca Desilets
Lebanon
First, thank you to the Windsor Police for their prompt response to my call reporting trespass and theft. Second, to the person or persons who came onto my land to steal four political signs: You have a right to disagree with my political leanings. That, however, does not entitle you to trample on either my property or my constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. The signs will be replaced.
Christine Rovinski-Wagner
West Windsor