Letters: Leadership in the pandemic, Beer at Freedom Hall and more – Johnson City Press (subscription)

Pandemic leadership needed

I am trying to make sense of Alan Levines incoherent interview about the federal COVID vaccine mandate in Saturdays (Nov. 12) Press.

Is he simply pandering to the right-wing, anti-vaccine crazies in our area? Does he not understand the science behind vaccines? Is he saying that rural health care workers are dumber than others and thus do not understand the need for vaccinations? Does he not understand that no one wants to receive health care from unvaccinated workers and possibly die from COVID-19?

For someone making almost $2 million per year perhaps some real leadership on this issue would be appropriate.

Tennessee continues to trail most of the nation in vaccination rates, our area trails even the rest of Tennessee and we are facing another infection wave this winter. I notice that most people in our area continue to refuse to wear masks in public. Our idiot legislature and governor are doing their best to undercut public health.

It seems Levines time would be better spent combating the misinformation being spread by local lawmakers and leading vaccination efforts instead of justifying our areas miserable vaccination performance.

URS GSTEIGER

Johnson City

Goodbye to a friend

This letter is to thank the VA Mountain Home Police, Rolling Thunder and VFW color guards for being very professional in their duties as honor guards for the burial of Police Dispatcher Chuck Goodman this past Friday at the National Cemetery.

I was expecting the VFW in their duties in conducting the 21-gun salute, but as a retired police dispatcher myself, it warmed my heart in seeing my former co-workers standing at attention for my friend Chuckules.

I also want to thank everyone for turning out to say goodbye to my friend.

TERRY BYRD

Johnson City

No dress code in church

I am writing in response to Danny Tyrees column in the Nov. 16 Johnson City Press.

I do agree that people should dress decent when going to church. This should be a natural thing to do. But it doesnt matter to the Lord. And this is because God doesnt care what you look like.

I didnt see this mentioned anywhere in Mr. Tyrees column but, in 1 Samuel, 16:7 it plainly says But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

I grew up believing exactly what this says: God looks upon the heart, not the outward appearance.

JOHN CLIFTON

Johnson City

Drinking at Freedom Hall

Grab a beer at Freedom Hall?

Sure, Ill drink to that ill-advised decision! Put revenues over public health and safety, I say.

Alcohol sales will increase attendance at Freedom Hall events. Also, itll increase the citys coffers. Maybe even increase funeral homes business coffin sales, buy one, get one free wrecker services, and auto body shops will benefit from grab a beer Freedom Hall drivers.

Hey, Jerry! Youre all wrong. Of course, alcohol consumption will be limited. It wont be a beer-fest, dummy. No sales to minors. All customers must show proof of age. No cheating will be allowed. No adult can buy a beer and take it back to a teen. Now that wouldnt happen, would it?

What about already-imbibed patrons arriving at Freedom Hall? Or those who are not legally drunk? One extra beer wont hurt me, officer.

JERRY L. NORRIS

Greeneville

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Letters: Leadership in the pandemic, Beer at Freedom Hall and more - Johnson City Press (subscription)