Where is Texas’ help after town leveled by tornado?
Regarding “'It was horrific': Tornado devastates small Texas town of Onalaska,” (Apr. 23): My sister lives in a nice, quiet lake-view home in a community called Yaupon Cove in Onalaska. On
April 22, an EF3 tornado hit her neighborhood as well as neighborhoods surrounding hers. Homes were leveled, many lost roofs, windows were shattered. Trees pierced roofs and demolished cars. This is Texas, and neighbors helped neighbors as much as possible. What has been nonexistent is government involvement. Gov. Greg Abbott has not even bothered to fly over the area to survey the damage. Thousands of trees were uprooted, debris from destroyed houses are piled 6 feet high along the roads, making them nearly impassable. This has devolved to the point that all this trash is beginning to pose a health hazard. Please, please everyone write and encourage the governor to get to work and help this community.
Sheryl Hewett, Livingston
Mask Up
Regarding “Mask Up to show love for your family,” (A14, May 28): It is disheartening that wearing a mask is a debate issue at all. Wearing a mask in public areas protects others from contracting the virus from yourself, especially when asymptomatic. Not wearing a mask is a symptom of a selfish, irresponsible society. This has nothing to do with freedom of choice, when choosing to not wear a mask may cause you to contaminate others. That said, businesses such as grocery stores, home improvement, department stores, malls, etc., should require all employees and patrons to wear masks. It is kind of appalling that all stores don’t take the threat seriously and voluntarily take all measures necessary to reduce the risk. Store policies are enforceable in their own right and do not require government regulation. I do not believe they would lose any business by requiring masks prior to entry. I’ll close by saying that the federal and state political leaders are much too lenient with the precautions everyone should be taking and should be demonstrating good safety practices whenever in public.