VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

SCANNING WON'T SUFFICE

I was astounded to read that the Nova Scotia Health Authority was prepared to take the wealth of data in patient charts and simply scan them (Jan. 7 story).

Prior to 1995, patient charts in the Halifax Infirmary were abstracted by health records personnel to collect data on more than 250 key clinical findings relating to demographics, history, physical examination, co-existing illnesses, laboratory results and radiographic findings.

This produced a Medisgroups Comparative Hospital Database that could be used by clinicians, researchers, health administrators and population health to better understand our patient population and improve services. The paper-based chart is widely recognized to be unfit for the purpose of exchanging information, so simply scanning it achieves nothing.

Grace Paterson, health informatician, Halifax

PRISONERS NEED PROTECTION

Re: “Prisoners not a priority” (Jan. 8 letter), in which Ron Young decries the vaccination of prisoners before long-term care providers, etc.

He argues that “prisoners are in a confined area where it should be very easy to control the spread” of COVID19. However, the public health experts quoted in your item on the next page deem such “confined spaces” to be “high-risk settings.”

Mr. Young confuses social utility with basic human rights. Admittedly, a front-line doctor is contributing more to the effort against the pandemic, but putting vulnerable inmates at the end of the vaccination queue is just morally wrong. Their punishment in incarceration, not withholding essential medical services.

Tom Ross, Middleton

INMATES BEFORE VETERANS?

I take exception to news that federal inmates will be getting vaccinated this week (Jan. 8 story). I wore a uniform for this country for 27-plus years. I am 71 years young and I have no idea when and if I will be able to be vaccinated.

Yes, inmates may be vulnerable, but it's a consequence of their own actions. Someone needs to rethink this plan.

Donald Fletcher, New Salem

ARMED SEDITION

Re: “Real riots ignored” (Jan. 8 letter). Lucille Maranda insinuates that the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday was not a “real riot” compared to the violence that grew out of some protests in American cities over the past year.

Those riots were far outnumbered by peaceful protests, many of which were met with a massive law enforcement presence — such as the event in which peaceful protesters in front of the White House were dispersed by police firing rubber buckets and chemical agents so Donald Trump could stage a ridiculous photo op in front of a church (which he never attends), demonstrating the proper way to hold a Bible.

It was not “Antifa and Black Lives Matter mobs” that stormed the Michigan legislature with firearms on April 30 or hatched a plot to kidnap and possibly murder the governor of that state. Nor was it they who invaded the U.S. Capitol, endangering members of the U.S. Congress and their staff who were doing the nation's sacred business of certifying the election of Joe Biden as president.

Burning down businesses and looting are reprehensible, but that is a far cry from violent attempts to disrupt the machinery of government. Call that what it is: not a riot, but armed sedition.

Ben Robertson, Windsor

LOCK HIM UP!

Forget the 25th amendment and impeachment — just do as The Donald advocates for his foes: “Lock him up!” Take him away in a straitjacket or handcuffs. It doesn't matter — just take the madman away!

Darrell Tingley, Timberlea

DESTRUCTIVE DEER

It was encouraging to read the article in your Jan. 6 edition that lends voice to the problem of deer overpopulation. I live in Bible Hill, just outside of

Truro. My neighbourhood is overrun with deer — at times as many as 23 in a herd.

We had multiple gardens, both vegetable and decorative, which provided immense pleasure over many years. The deer demolished 90 per cent of everything.

We've put year-round eight-foothigh fences around the surviving rhododendrons. I can no longer even fill my front-door decorative planters, as the deer come up on the veranda and tear them apart — often before they realize much of what is planted is artificial.

Deer are beautiful creatures, bold, unafraid, but as much as I'd like not to harm them, they are destructive and a health risk with regard to ticks. Something needs to be done.

Penny Baker, Bible Hill

GRATEFUL FOR GOOD GRUB

To the hunters and fishermen who recently donated fish and venison to the food bank at Christ Church in Dartmouth, I wish to express how much the meat and trout was appreciated.

I shared the incredibly delicious fish with a poor old man who had just spent two months in hospital, and the venison became a savory spaghetti sauce for myself and friends.

For those of us who enjoy the taste of wild meat, it is a rare and special treat. I believe it has been at least 20 years since I have had any at all, and I am so very grateful.

S.J. Foster, Dartmouth