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Responsible gun owners
must demand change
Re. “Where have the Republicans been during California’s mass shootings?” Page A7, Jan. 27:
I am appalled and heartsick that on the same page featuring an article chastising Republicans for their indifference to gun safety reform was a letter to the editor imploring us to “keep things in perspective” (“Keep gun deaths in perspective,” Page A6, Jan. 27)
While COVID and automobile deaths may exceed gun deaths, there is a huge difference between an illness or accident versus an intentional act of unspeakable violence.
Since most mass shooters have obtained their guns legally, requiring a real background check, along with training and licensing does not “prohibit gun ownership,” as these are common sense measures that should be encouraged by everyone.
When are responsible gun owners going to do something about these pervasive mass shootings? It is the gun enthusiast and our legislators who are beholden to the NRA who refuse to accept responsibility for the horrific stain of gun violence that is unique to the United States.
Jerry Gudeman
Santa Clara
Living conditions on
farms breaks the heart
Re. “Farm admits worker housing not up to code, will be replaced,” Page A1, Jan. 31:
Various people were quoted in the article about the deplorable housing conditions at the California Terra Garden in Half Moon Bay, discovered after a farmworker killed seven people. County Executive Mike Callagy “didn’t know much about the specific rules for farmworker dwellings.” He also said the county can’t just show up at a farm and look for unpermitted housing violations. Why not? Change the law.
BJ Burns, president of the San Mateo County Farm Bureau says his own farmworker housing is inspected every year. He thinks the California Terra Garden was deliberately overlooked. He said, “It’s a dirty rotten crime and people need to be punished.”
I agree with him. How about this for ruling housing livable and dignified: Would you want your mother living there?
It is outrageous that other human beings thought it was just fine for farmworkers to live in these conditions. It just makes me cry.
Lynn Villagran
San Jose
Officials’ indifference to
farm conditions shocking
Re: “Deplorable,” Page A1, Jan. 29:
San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller states he is unaware of who investigates the unsafe and unsanitary housing conditions of farmworkers that have come to light since the Half Moon Bay shootings.
This shows a surprising level of indifference and a lack of knowledge from a government official. Perhaps there is a vacuum in the system, and no one is monitoring safe and sanitary standards of housing for the people who grow our food.
We hope that this tragedy will lead to an improvement in housing standards for farmworkers.
Gerri and Steve Lurya
Los Gatos
When will fans tune
out football’s violence
Four quarterbacks on one team are injured in a single season. Damar Hamlin almost died on the field. Concussions are leading to an epidemic of brain trauma (CTE) that impacts players for the rest of their lives.
When will we care enough about the players to say, “If they cannot make the game safe, I’m not going to watch?” It’s the most dangerous game.
Patrick Grimes
San Jose
Combine single vaccine
with flu shots for ease
I read your recent article on the COVID vaccination, and how one shot should end it all (“Experts urge single vaccine formula for all,” Page B1, Jan. 29).
I agree with this because I hate having to get multiple shots. Multiple boosters could also cause vaccination fatigue, which is where people don’t want to get more shots, or they may forget since they have to get more and more shots. This leads to fewer vaccinations, which means more infections, defeating the purpose of getting the shot.
I also think that they should align flu shot dates and COVID shot dates so it is easier on people to get their COVID vaccination. All in all, I really agree with this article.
Ethan Lam
San Jose
Clothing standards are
meant to protect girls
Re. “Why are schools still using dress codes to discriminate against girls?” Page A7, Jan. 31:
Maybe girls are being protected rather than discriminated against.
Until there is some standard of decency for appropriate dress for girls and boys that is taught in the home, it may have to be regulated.
Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but if girls or boys are dressed provocatively, it is a distraction to the school environment.
Diane McQuillen
San Jose
Source: www.mercurynews.com