The official news came this past Wednesday that 19 more Minnesotans had died after contracting COVID-19, and I finally saw it in my mind's eye — 19 funerals. I pictured city blocks of churches, synagogues, mosques and funeral homes — blocks of places where gentle words could be spoken and prayers could be said. I pictured 19 simultaneous services, attended by 50-100 people inside each building. That's potentially 1,900 people gathered within a few blocks. Before the pandemic, that's where we'd all be, mourning together, telling stories and supporting each other, recalling and cherishing each life. Each one of those Minnesotans, now gone ...
These are not numbers. These are our neighbors. They're not merely "the dead." They're our dads. These are not statistics. These are our sisters and brothers; our favorite uncles and — God help us — our beloved grandparents. Each was a person, a fellow human being with all the honor that brings. They were laughers and laborers, listeners and lovers, dear friends, the nicest of neighbors and, above all, family. There are 19 more families grieving in their homes right here. Walk down your street and count 19 houses, and picture the sadness that 19 families are now experiencing. There are 19 more communities feeling the absence of one of their own, neighbors grieving and at a loss for how to help. We have a reason to feel heartbroken about this virus. Hold each person in your heart, Minnesota, then do it again and again and again. In Minnesota, each life counts.
Lisa Q. Steinberg, Champlin
EMERGENCY INSULIN
Now, help fund our normal supply
On April 14, the Minnesota Legislature passed a long-awaited insulin affordability bill that will establish a safety net for insulin-dependent diabetics. This provides some security by having a plan in place to make sure individuals can access this lifesaving medicine in times of need. However, efforts to improve the pharmaceutical industry cannot stop here.
Almost 1 in 10 Minnesotans haven't filled a prescription in the last year due to prohibitive cost. It is clear that such outrageous prices are unjust and a hindrance to Minnesotans getting the medical care they need and deserve. Why don't we tackle the root of the problem instead of putting a Band-Aid on a broken system?
As a 20-year-old and a diabetic of 12 years, it is frightening to imagine what my future may look like when the cost of the medicine that I need to function on a daily basis has gone up more than 1,100% in my lifetime. Not only that, I fear for those in my community, state and nation who are at far higher risk of not having access to insulin and other prescriptions due to racial disparities and other factors. If we are to live up to our title of "Minnesota Nice," especially in times of trial, we must recognize that people are worth more than profit. Advocate for the Legislature to pass additional bills like HF 4, which would prohibit charging unconscionable prices for prescription drugs. Nice is not enough; we must be persistent and courageous in protecting our neighbors.
Jackie Resh, St. Paul
CARE FACILITIES
Shift your thinking on what they do
The Star Tribune needs to be careful in these stressful times to not cast blame on senior care providers who are doing incredibly loyal and challenging work. Acute health care providers around the world are being lauded as heroes, while nursing home providers are being shamed ("New Hope nursing home has one of state's worst outbreaks," April 23). As heart-wrenching as it is to have this disease take the lives of our beloved elderly, we still have no business chastising senior care providers, as someone quoted in the story said, that "they were not prepared to deal with patients who are unable, for whatever reason, to practice social distancing." I ask, who was prepared to deal with this deadly COVID-19 pandemic?
Let it be known that it's dangerous to take any health department inspection report out of context, but to use these reports in the same breath when speaking of COVID-19 deaths is irresponsible and cruel. It's common knowledge that senior care facility residents are at higher risk. This is a time when we need to show respect and care to senior care providers, not blame and shame. Keep in mind, if anyone thinks they can do a better job caring for our elderly during this pandemic, than have at it. I am sure many care providers would gladly let you take the reins.
Susan Thompson, Roseville
• • •
Yesterday was my appointed day to have a blood draw at the VA. I have to do this every six weeks because I'm on a blood thinner medication. Been doing this for over 20 years. Needless to say, I was concerned about having to go into a medical clinic and sit around in a waiting room full of old guys waiting for their appointments.
About an hour before the appointment I got a call from the VA instructing me to park in a certain place beside the clinic door. I was told not to exit my car and that the technician would come outside to do the blood draw. And that's exactly what happened. I arrived right on time, put on my N95, they came out immediately, did the draw, got my reading (perfect as usual) and I was on my way home in 10 minutes.
Another example of how well the VA takes care of the vets. Please don't believe all the bad things you hear and read about the VA. It really does a wonderful job and tries very hard.
Sheldon Ajax, Oak Park Heights
PANDEMICS
Let's plan better for the next one
While it might seem a bit ridiculous to be talking about the next pandemic, it will come and quite likely fairly soon, as climate change disrupts old patterns and causes more migrations of all manner of species, including humans and the wide variety of bacteria and viruses that find us to be a good vector. It would make sense to develop and test an emergency plan covering pandemics and other catastrophes that uses our health care resources to the best advantage.
For example, every medical facility could have a catastrophe conversion plan to quickly restructure to best deal with casualties. Medical personnel could be cross-trained for catastrophe support. Thus rather than furloughing all manner of personnel who work in elective treatment, they would be deployed to respond to the situation. Our front-line health care professionals have done an outstanding job — but we could make it easier next time if we are prepared.
Robert Veitch, Richfield
COVID TREATMENTS
Good Lord, that won't work
"Don't inject disinfectants, Lysol warns as Trump raises idea" (StarTribune.com, April 24): How did we elect this man to the most powerful and influential office in the world? America is a great country. But this stain on history, on our country, will never be removed. All the power of the sun and all the Lysol in the world will not fade this shameful mark on us all.
David McCuskey, Long Lake
SPORTS SALARIES
Wow, how ungenerous of them
The Gophers sports headline was so encouraging ("Fleck, Pitino, Whalen agree to pay cuts" April 24). Highly paid university employees giving back in times of trouble! Great news to share! What? They agreed to forfeit one week of salary? That's all of ... 2%! One can only think that the coaches and the athletic department had hoped this runaround would slip by completely unnoticed. If it was part of their playbook to gain public support, they put together a truly offensive game plan.
Dean Lindeman, Cannon Falls, Minn.
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