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David Stadelman checking the Orion capsule test mockup at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Artemis I is uncrewed, but astronauts are already training in the module for future Artemis fights, which will carry crews.

Moon: CV Native David Stadelman

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the federal General Services Administration, but his negotiating skills led him to Lockheed Martin.

There, he’s led negotiations with business partners, both private and governmental, around the world. Currently, with Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor for Artemis, his team handles changes NASA needs to make in components produced by some 50 subcontractors.

NASA says it doesn’t plan to stop with Artemis I. They plan Artemis II, with a crew looping around the moon, for 2024 and Artemis III, which will return astronauts to the moon’s surface in 2025 or a bit later.

Artemis III will also put a space station, called Gateway, in orbit around the moon to use for later lunar missions, the agency said.

Lockheed-Martin and Stadelman already have their part of those plans well underway. He’s already been in negotiations with NASA over Lockheed Martin’s role in Artemis V, VI, and beyond.

“The November 15th launch felt like kind of a family affair, as Dave (with an in-person vantage) texting photos and comments to us in Castro Valley and to his brother, Stan Jr, in Livermore,” said his mother Vicki Stadelman. She still lives with her husband Stan Sr. in the house her sons grew up in.

“The excitement of this historic space mission was cranked up a notch when we realize that our own son contributed to its success,” Vicki said. “My husband says, ‘Both boys continue to surprise us and make us proud!’”

An FBI agent investigating David for his frst security clearance had once asked Vicki to describe her son in one word.

“Wonderful,” she replied.

The agent closed his book, thanked her, and left. Vicki said she knew David had gotten his clearance.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SEND BY EMAIL TO: FILESFORFORUM@GMAIL.COM

N95, KN95, and KF95 Masks Are Effective

Dear Editor,

Mr. Manny Morales’ statement in the December 14th Forum that “masks are 0% useless” against covid virus are useless is wrong. Mr. Morales refers to unnamed “studies” and “experts” to support his position. The preponderance of research shows masks are effective. A better question is which masks are the most effective. It is interesting to observe that at most if not all medical offces and facilities people are required to wear masks. Surely, the combined education, training, and experience of the doctors are a better indicator of mask effectiveness than Mr. Morales’ “experts”.

Let’s defne the discussion so were have a common starting point.

First, scientifc studies need to be reliable and valid. Reliability means that someone will get the same results if the study is repeated. Validity is whether a study’s is done correctly and the conclusions from the data are correct.

Second, studies need to be peer reviewed to see if there are any mistakes and published in a scientifc venue.

If Mr. Morales’ studies do not meet this criteria, then they are merely opinions. There are many people including doctors offering “scientifc” opinions that do not cite peer reviewed research.

Third, studies determining best mask effcacy should include only CDC approved KN95, N95, or KF94. These masks flter 95% of virus particles. The masks should have behind the head straps and be stamped with NIOSH and the company name. Masks should ft snuggly around the mouth and nose. The CDC said that masks with ear loops are probably fake. Studies measuring mask effectiveness with counterfeit masks will underreport mask effectiveness and not be valid.

The Washington Post in an article published Thursday, December 9, 2022, addressed mask effectiveness and referenced a study done in California that was peer reviewed and published by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/ mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7106e1.htm). Results showed that people who wore cloth masks in indoor spaces were 56 percent less likely to test positive for the coronavirus compared to people who did not wear masks. Surgical masks reduced covid risk by 66 percent. For those who wore N95 or KN95 masks, the 83 percent of the people who wore masks were less likely to test positive for the covid virus. Masks are effective in reducing covid infections and the preponderance of scientifc studies prove this.

Covid cases and hospitalizations are increasing and approaching last summer’s peak. Increased cases of RSV and infuenza are further straining health care.

Although Covid is less virulent, it is more contagious resulting more cases and increased hospitalizations. Wearing a mask reduces covid risk for the wearer of the mask and reduces additional covid infections. The risk is acute for the elderly who have higher hospitalizations and higher mortality and for people with compromised immune systems.

Wearing a CDC approved N95, KN95 or a KF95 mask when inside in crowded places reduces your chance of infection by 83 percent. It will beneft you, your family and others in the community. Not only is it good self care, It is an act of compassion. –Larry Bieber, Castro Valley

It’s All About Location, Location, Location

Location, Location, Location: that’s the point most people are missing regarding the Mosaic School Outdoor Project.

Last week’s Forum letter from the neighboring business brought up Fire, Septic, Water, Right to Farm and Safety for the student/staff and residents of Cull Canyon.

These are very important issues. The fact that the Mosaic Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) did Not adequately address these issues is why the unanimous Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and a number of Cull Canyon residents found the DEIR deplorable.

I’ve lived in Cull Canyon most of my life. Water and wells, even in non-drought years have always been signifcant issue. Since I was a child, we’ve taken what is called a Navy shower: get wet, turn off water, soap down, then rinse. Water is scarce. The idea of doubling the population in the canyon is nuts.

The 36-acre property where Mosaic wants to build has a creek running through it very close to Cull Canyon road. The only moderately fat ground to build on is next to Cull Creek. It will require cutting down a large number of Costal Live Oak Trees, including many on the steep 30% slope going straight up the canyon wall. They plan to build retaining walls to construct 12 cabins for 4th and 5th grade school children. The dining hall consists of a large commercial-scale kitchen, large meeting space, showers, restrooms, laundry room, offce, infrmary, storage room, elevator and outdoor deck. This single building alone can accommodate 516 people. Also proposed is a 1,025 sq-ft toilet/shower building, a 2600 sq-ft permanent residence hall for teachers living on site and a 1,200 sq-ft caretakers residence. There is no city water or sewer!

As to Fire and Emergency Exit, Cull Canyon is a box canyon with only one way out. Threefourths of the canyon residents live beyond the Mosaic site. If a fre occurs and heavy equipment/fre trucks coming in to fght the fre and frantic parents are trying to rescue their children, it will be a disaster.

No school buses will be left on the Mosaic site. School children are bused in on Monday and picked up on Friday. In theory, Castro Valley School District buses will try to reach the Mosaic site, but drivers may not be available or let into the canyon since school bus drivers are not likely certifed for emergency rescue operations.

For the Safety of the children and Cull Canyon residents, pick another location. –Diana Hanna, Castro Valley