Your opinions

How long will immunity last?

In answer to Dale Rhinehart’s question 03/27/21, the scientists know that the COVID 19 vaccines are probably good two weeks after your last shot. The actual percentage chance it is good depends on the manufacturer.

No one knows yet how long your immunity will last. How good are you at betting? My bet is that we will need new vaccine shots in a year, just like with the flu. As you say, the viruses are similar, and both tend to mutate.

If you don’t continue to wear a mask, you may find out how long your immunity lasts. Don Dozer Munson Township

Ohio bills must be defeated

Are we about to end peaceful protesting in Ohio? We are if a slew of bills recently introduced in the Ohio legislature pass and are signed into law.

These bills will have a chilling effect on peaceful protesting by enacting the intimidating provisions contained in HB109, SB16, HB22, and SB41. Not only are these bills unnecessary (there are already laws on the books concerning vandalism and rioting) but they criminalize our constitutional right to petition our government for redress of grievances.

Have the legislators who have introduced them not heard of the First Amendment?

Let’s take a closer look at one of the bills, HB 22, Obstruction of Justice, and a few of its provisions.

Replete with vague language, it criminalizes distracting public safety officers from their duties like yelling “Please don’t shoot!” The crowd watching George Floyd’s life end could be arrested under the provisions of this bill for saying “Get off of him, you’re killing him”. It even goes so far as to make it a crime if public safety officers just “feel” threatened, not be threatened.

These draconian measures must be defeated if we are to maintain our democracy. David Lima

Mentor

Having trouble sleeping?

There are many people in Lake County who used to work for GE Lighting. They may be surprised to learn that using ordinary light bulbs in the hours before bedtime makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

I did research for GE lighting for 43 years. I was surprised to learn after retiring to John Carroll University in 1996 that exposing the eyes to light in the evening stops the body from making melatonin, the sleep hormone. In 2001 it was discovered that it is only the blue rays in ordinary white light that cause the problem. The newer LED light bulbs are even worse (more blue light) than the ones we used to make.

There are two ways to solve this problem.

Light bulbs that don’t make blue light are available on the Internet by searching for low blue lights.

The other way to improve sleep is to wear glasses that block blue light in the hours before bedtime. To restore melatonin production, the glasses need to be amber or orange in color.

There are many blue blocking glasses on the market that claim to help sleep but look clear or light yellow. They will not restore melatonin production, despite the claim.

Join the thousands who have learned about blue light and are now enjoying much better sleep.

Richard L. Hansler PhD Pepper Pike

Support Kirtland Schools issue

I am writing in support of Kirtland Schools Issue 1 that will be on the ballot May 4.

We recently moved to this amazing community for the schools.

Our children love their new school. We have been so pleased with the teachers, bus drivers, counselors, coaches, and principals.

We feel that Kirtland is a strong community, and that there is a lot of pride in our amazing schools.

I know that the district is very responsible with taxpayer dollars, but the levy that was passed 25 years ago, generating $250,000 per year is not enough. Costs are closer to $350,000. This causes the schools to make tough decisions on what repairs of HVAC, roofing, buses, windows, and technology to put off. Our kids and our community need this. Katie Runyan

Kirtland

Kirtland Schools levy needed

I am voting for the upcoming Kirtland Schools Levy (Issue 1, May 4) because this levy is important for our schools and our community.

As the president of the Kirtland Academic Boosters, I see firsthand how competitive it is for students to get into schools like Ohio State, Miami of Ohio and other public and private universities in our state. Our classrooms need to evolve to support our students who are trying their hardest to achieve academic excellence, many in very challenging Advanced Placement courses.

The Kirtland School Board has been very fiscally responsible, but many of our school buildings are old and costly to maintain. The existing levy was approved by voters 25 years ago, and it generates the same amount of funds each year as it did back then. The increase will cost $2.75 per month per $100,000 home value. None of these funds can be used for teacher salaries or benefits only Permanent Improvements.

If you walked the halls of our schools, you won’t see evidence of unnecessary spending.

You will see a science lab that’s no longer functional, classrooms that need to be updated and an aging fleet of buses. While I don’t love tax increases, I think this proposed increase is both necessary and reasonable.

Eric Cantini President, Kirtland Academic Boosters Kirtland

Opinions are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect those of The NewsHerald.