Letters Our essential workers deserve thanks and help

Pandemic is further proof of Danskammer’s dangers

Dear Editor:

A recent Harvard study linked COVID-19 deaths to respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution. Strong evidence also shows the virus travels a great distance on soot. Knowing this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to loosen restrictions on power plant emissions, including soot rather than tightening them to prevent the spread of the virus.

Here in the Mid-Hudson Valley, our air quality is precious. We need to keep it this way.

Danskammer LLC is proposing a new fossil fuel power plant in the town of Newburgh in the midst of all of this. Danskammer is proposing to burn fossil fuels that will pollute our air constantly, 24/7, for the next few decades.

The fossil fuel industry is responsible for climate change, among other environmental disasters, and now is being linked to accelerating the spread of the current pandemic. On top of all of this, the high volatility and economic vulnerability of the fossil fuel industry is proving itself now more than ever.

We know we need to phase out of using fossil fuels to avoid events of catastrophic levels, so it seems like the first step toward this is denying all new fossil fuel project proposals, including the Danskammer power plant. We need to say no to Danskammer and yes to a just transition to a renewable energy future in New York state. Eric Wood

New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)

New Paltz Dear Editor:

Our essential workers should receive a big thanks from all of us.

They risk their health and, in many situations, their lives to keep our nation going amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trump and Cuomo administrations should help them out. This could take the form of forgiving student debt, an added tax break, etc.

Surely they deserve it!

Tim Scott Jr.

Saugerties

Thank first responders before their jobs vanish

Dear Editor:

We celebrate our first responders and thank them with food, letters and waves of support. But their jobs are being threatened by the same pandemic they’re helping to fight.

The toll on the economy will eliminate jobs and equipment this year and cut budgets even more next year. First responders will be cut, and services will be lost in a lot of communities.

Say “thank you” now, before they’re gone. Thank you to police, firefighters, public works employees, and parks and recreation workers. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.

Gregg Pugliese

Port Ewen

Let state go bankrupt

Dear Editor:

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is using the COVID-19 pandemic to get the federal government to bail out a very poorly run state.

New York has been in the red for a while now, and it’s because of Cuomo’s actions.

We need to stop all these social programs, like aid for illegal immigrants, and get people off of welfare. I say let New York go bankrupt. The state is only going to waste any money it gets on people who don’t work and don’t pay taxes.

Charles Winchell

Kingston