Letters: Freedom demands the responsibility of sacrifice in COVID fight – Charleston Post Courier

A sure sign that a nation is losing its soul is when its people are no longer willing to sacrifice for the common good. Some people seem to have forgotten what it means to be a patriot.

Casualties from COVID-19 have surpassed 800,000 deaths and 50 million wounded. This war against the virus has lasted less than two years.

If an enemy invaded our country causing similar casualties, would you be willing to sacrifice to defeat it?

Freedom is not about what we want to do, but rather what we should do.

Unfortunately it is no longer about we but more and more about me.

As a result, the responsibility that freedom demands is becoming ignored. Freedom boils down to one thing: choice.

Do you want to fly on an airplane? You have a choice to either wear a mask or not fly.

Your employer requires you to be vaccinated. You have a choice to either get vaccinated or find another job.

Most of our laws are the result of people choosing to be irresponsible. Freedom permits them to choose to be responsible or irresponsible. If they choose to be irresponsible, they pay a price for their freedom of choice, yet some believe they should be able to choose to be irresponsible without paying any price.

The basic tenets of responsibility in a free democratic society are simple: Keep your word, and respect others and their property.

Freedom demands little more and nothing less.

DOUGLAS DEVLAMING

Charleston

Here is an example of an internet scam.

First, you fill out a short survey sent to your phone. There are no questions about personal information, so OK.

And its all done via text message.

Then, you receive a message that youve won an iPhone 13.

You are told that the phone is in the warehouse.

To receive it, you only need to pay a $1.64 shipping charge.

Once the payment is made, the phone will be loaded onto a truck for delivery and sent to you. You just have to enter your credit card or bank account information.

Then, when you dont pay the money or give them your financial information, you start receiving messages about delivery requests and late payment notices from the delivery company.

Dont fall prey to these schemes trying to get your money.

STEPHEN BRINKMAN

Charleston

Make a difference in the New Year.

More than 60% of residents of long-term care facilities in South Carolina have no visitors.

They have no family or friends who are available to visit them or spend time with them. The lack of social contact and a support system often results in depression and decline.

Residents of our community can do something to help these friends and neighbors.

They can join the Volunteer Ombudsman Program, which is sponsored by the South Carolina Department on Aging, Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

The function of the volunteer in residential facilities is to provide encouragement and meet an essential need.

The efforts, presence and commitment of this program make a significant difference in the lives of many.

Volunteers help to diminish the sense of isolation that residents can experience, and help facilitate a sense of self-determination and achievement.

I encourage you to connect with residents who live in long-term care facilities, participate in conversations, and encourage self-advocacy.

Volunteers help to ensure that the voices of long-term care residents do not go unheard and show residents they have not been forgotten.

Working as a volunteer ombudsman will help to ensure that the voices of long-term care residents do not go unheard.

Contact the Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program online at volunteerombudsman@tridentaaa.org or by phone at 843-554-2276.

LINDA NAERT

Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer Coordinator

North Charleston

Years ago, my mother gave me a Dec. 26 deadline to write thank-you notes for gifts received for Christmas and get them mailed by New Years.

So Charleston, here is my thank-you note to the Charleston Music Hall, Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Charleston School of the Arts for their recent holiday program of music.

I have never liked the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. But the rendition or I should say the spoofing of it by four gentlemen at the Charleston Music Hall is something all should experience.

The usual order of gifts was mixed up. By the second verse, the audience was writhing with laughter.

Not to be outdone, CSO conductor Yuri Bekker got the audience involved.

Two elves went through the audience and encouraged several people to sing the five golden rings part of the song.

After initially showing looks of panic, a man and a woman sang the phrase great. Then the rest of the audience was eager to join in as well.

The best part was saved for last.

Charleston County School of the Arts musicians and choral group lit up the theater.

About a dozen deaf students signed the words to Silent Night, which left many breathless.

Thank you, Charleston, for once again making this season very merry and bright in spite of COVID.

CHRISTINE EBEL

Charleston

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Letters: Freedom demands the responsibility of sacrifice in COVID fight - Charleston Post Courier