Opinion

WWW.FAUQUIER.COM

Fauquier Times | April 22, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reflections on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day

As we approach the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, it is a time for reflection on where we are at this point in history. Earth Day began with 10% of the U.S. population holding demonstrations for a cleaner environment. This brought awareness of environmentalism to mainstream America.

Now 50 years later, we are finding the coronavirus is giving an awareness of cracks in various aspects of our society – health care, social inequalities and environmental factors. While there appears to be no direct link between global warming and coronavirus, there are contributing factors. A loss of habitat for species means more human/ wild animal interactions, where people can acquire novel diseases. More extreme weather events provide outlets for disease outbreaks. People living in polluted environments have a lowered ability to fight pathogens.

As most of us are engaging in stayat-home orders, we can ask ourselves, “What can we take from this experience to aid us in going forward to benefit our environment?” Here are a few thoughts to consider:

With travel being reduced dramatically, we have seen incredible air quality improvements. Would we be willing to eliminate a portion of our own trips per year to assist with carbon emissions? Telecommuting has become normal during this time. It is a viable option, and can it function if appropriate infrastructure is put in place? Would this work for one or two days a week for many of us?

Food production is currently inflexible and vulnerable. A strong local food economy is better able to adjust production, processing and delivery to meet changing demands. There has been a renewed interest in “victory gardens,” which reduce pressure on public food supplies.

There are parallels between the existential threats of coronavirus and climate change. Both require behaviors on an individual level to combat the crisis. Social distancing is making a major difference in the virus spread. Our behavior, both individually and globally, will determine the impacts of climate change as we go forward.

Coronavirus will have a peak, but the emissions that are overheating the planet continue on an upward trajectory.

If the coronavirus has any lesson for humanity, it may be that we as a global society can come together to address an existential crisis when the threat is clear and pressing. How we respond this Earth Day and beyond will show us what we have learned? BARBARA COCHRAN Fauquier Climate Change Group

Writer enthusiastically endorses Heather Sutphin for town council

A native of Fauquier County, Heather Sutphin is an excellent and capable candidate for the Ward 1 Town Council seat. Heather exemplifies fairness and a genuine concern for her community and will work tirelessly for balance in these ever-changing times for Warrenton. She is trustworthy, honest and will bring an open-minded approach and embrace this position with the enthusiasm it deserves.

I have known Heather for over 15 years, both personally and in business. She is dedicated, an experienced public servant for the good of her community and devoted to the best interests for the Town of Warrenton.

I am happy to endorse my friend, Heather Sutphin, for this position. SYLVIA MCDEVITT Catlett

Early voting, just in time

As we all know, the coronavirus has touched many facets of our lives. We are all more cautious right now, with most of us practicing safe social distancing.

There’s one area of concern that I’m glad our legislature, along with the governor have addressed -- “no excuse” early voting. We have joined 38 other states in offering early voting, and from my perspective, we’ve done so just in time. Our new law will go into effect with the 2020 presidential election, this November. Thank heaven, we will not need to go through the debacle we recently witnessed in Wisconsin. We have several months to ensure all voters are educated on the deadline, process and proper procedures.

While we can be hopeful, none of us know for sure what the status of COVID-19 will be this fall. Early voting ensures all of us can safely participate in our democratic process. As Americans, that’s something we can all celebrate. Thanks to Gov. [Ralph] Northam and the Virginia legislature for passing this important legislation. MAX N. HALL Marshall

Facing down COVID-19 and reopening the economy

The (federal) administration is correct in realizing the necessity of reopening America’s economy; but only after mass testing is implemented and the results so justify. Regrettably, positive forward movement has been impeded by a national “spin-policy” laced with rosy announcements from the task-force podium. These sessions tip to the political, destroy credibility, and do not instill confidence. What is needed is an honest self-assessment in the hope that past successes and failures will better inform us on contemplated future actions … including when to reopen the economy.

This administration was woefully under-prepared to deal with the pandemic, tried to mitigate the threat by minimizing its potential, delayed a proactive response; and finally, when it realized the jeopardy, transferred its responsibilities to the states in light of its failure at initial national mobilization. We now need to make up for lost time and can ill afford another round of indecisiveness and ineptitude.

It is not too late to implement many aspects of a best practices model. We should learn from those countries that are successfully containing the virus while still maintaining their economies. They saw the threat coming and they answered with preparation, resources and medical science. South Korea is a good comparative example to us with similar challenges and a similar time line, but with dramatically different results.

We must leave all medical determinations and protocols to the medical community and the Centers for Disease Control. They are doing a commendable job on the front lines of our defense and have developed mitigating medical strategies. But, despite their best efforts, we remain uncertain about many aspects of the pandemic and its actual scope within the U.S. We need more data to effectively plan a twofold strategy that meets both our medical and economic needs.

The United States’ first priority must, of course, be public health; but, with our economy a close second. The virus medically attacks the population; while, the only apparent defense, “social distancing,” economically attacks the population. We must deal with both attacks concurrently. We start by gaining more scientific data through a process of mass testing, tracking and quarantine. Insights gleaned will aid toward mitigation while assisting us with predictability and modeling. Not everyone needs to be tested, but testing should take a tiered approach based upon need and national priorities.

We have already started testing protocols with our health care workers, first responders and those expressing symptoms. They should be followed by the next tier, comprised of the “high risk” vulnerable, then the next tier comprised of essential workers, i.e. those who are essential to keep the country running, then the next tier, anyone else who feels the need to be tested. Testing in the millions will allow us to determine who has the virus (symptomatic and asymptomatic), who does not; and, importantly, who has had it and whose antibodies appear to have successfully defeated it.

Those who have warded off the virus and have developed proven immunity and those who don't have it are the labor force we need to reopen our base economy and gradually lead us to a full economic recovery. Those who are high risk will need to follow CDC guidelines, including social distancing until an effective treatment protocol is established and a safe, efficacious and effective vaccine is discovered.

Reopening the economy should only start after the first wave of the pandemic is under control. There is a balance at play here. If we continue the current policies with an "overabundance of caution," we run the probable risk of turning a recession into a depression. And, if we reopen the economy prematurely without adequate mass testing, we will risk more American lives and could even do more harm to the economy in the succeeding waves. In the absence of sufficient scientific data, we should lean toward caution and protect our citizens.

The key is widespread testing to determine when the crisis is safely under control and who can willingly return to work with minimal risk. If we can take this systematic approach, then the economy can cautiously reopen in stages before the first wave of COVID-19 has completely passed. We can then put into place an aggressive action plan to prepare for a second wave of COVID-19 or any other future pandemic threat that will surely come.

Stay safe. DON BACHMANN Marshall

Sheriff Robert Mosier says ‘thank you’

As the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office and greater community celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, I want to take this opportunity to honor you for your tireless efforts. You receive and respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to all residents in our community.

Whether it is a time of intense, personal crisis or one of widespread community disaster, the first access point for those seeking emergency services is 911. The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division is the first point of contact for persons seeking immediate relief during an emergency.

As members of the communications team, you represent a lifeline, the calm in the face of great adversity and the beginning of a resolution for the caller’s tragedy.

On occasion you have been known to save a life or deliver a baby and because of the clarity of your voice or your instructions to someone you may or may not know, you keep the caller calm and dispatch the precise procedure that is needed for lifesaving or medical care.

You are expected to be all-knowledgeable and prepared to answer the questions posed, not only by the public, but also by deputies, town police officers, troopers and individuals from other jurisdictions, not to mention, even the sheriff.

The importance of recognizing you and celebrating you as dedicated professionals is immeasurable. We stand behind the commitment and devotion you all provide to ensure the safety and security of our community.

Thank you for always being there for us all.

We are also celebrating National Animal Care and Control Officers Appreciation Week. It is the perfect opportunity to celebrate

Communications supervisor Allison Marshall; emergency communications specialist Carter Cash, emergency communications specialist Nikia Sandwell; communications “A” shift

our men and women who staff the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office Animal Control section of the Patrol Operations Division. This observance highlights a profession that demands unique investigative skills and personal attributes of the professionals, who willingly provide backup to patrol units and make sacrifices that include shift work, weekends and holidays work, too.

As animal control officers, you protect, rescue and compassionately make difficult decisions for humane outcomes. Whether you are rescuing abused and ignored puppies from a puppy mill, assisting an injured animal found on the road or helping round up stray cows on the side of the highway, you provide invaluable services to not only the animal, but also to its owner.

By taking time to properly recognize you, who serve the community for the protection of all animals, we acknowledge your difficult and also rewarding efforts. We take pride and personal satisfaction in knowing you who serve as Fauquier County Animal Control Officers.

We know the essential, and often difficult roles in which you serve. You are appreciated for all you do.

Thank you for your service! ROBERT MOSIER Fauquier County Sheriff

A free taco lunch leads to volunteer opportunity

As the ongoing crisis concerning the COVID-19 virus continues to dominate the news cycle, I just want to remind everyone that focusing on helping others may offer a remedy for the stress you may be feeling. There are many volunteer opportunities in our community, a good number of which have been made known through this publication. One such organization I want to give a shout out to is the PATH Volunteer Hub and its Let’s Volunteer site (letsvolunteer. org), which helped me connect with 4P Foods (http://4pfoods.com/how-it-works).

My initial encounter with 4P Foods happened because I like to eat. About a month or so ago, a Facebook post grabbed my attention, noting “Taco Tuesday” grab and go lunches that were available at Lord Fairfax Community College to all free of charge. My husband and I headed out,

picked up a yummy lunch (three beef tacos) and made a donation to benefit local farmers dealing with the economic fallout from the virus situation. Since then, the Tuesday grab and go lunches are now also held on Thursday for anyone needing lunch, regardless of their ability to pay. 4P Foods is located in the Vint Hill Farms complex with a mission to increase year-round access to sustainable and locally produced food, to create a marketplace where farmers can thrive, and to improve food equity. Volunteers can help at its warehouse -- sign up via PATH’s letsvolunteer.org site -- as I did (making cardboard boxes). They need help with various tasks to connect households, offices and communities to local food with direct deliveries.

Each week 4P Foods offers a selection of seasonal, organic produce, pastured and grass-fed meat, and grass-fed, hormone-free dairy from small-scale, local and regional farms. These same farms are the ones participating in the Tuesday and Thursday grab and go lunches. 4P Foods is just one of the many listings provided on letsvolunteer.org. The site allows you to choose organizations and/or areas in which you have a particular interest or skill you’d like to contribute. Email notifications can be set up to let you know when something you’ve chosen becomes available or volunteers are needed. You decide if the situation works for you and your schedule and pitch in when you can.

Fauquier County has been my home since 1986. It’s a beautiful place full of good people that make it a community of which you want to be a part. KIRSTEN KING Warrenton

Letters to the Editor The Fauquier Times welcomes letters to the editor from its readers as a forum for discussion of local public affairs subjects. WRITE: Letters to the Editor 41 Culpeper Street Warrenton, VA 20188 FAX: Editor 540-349-8676 EMAIL: news@fauquier.com Letters must be signed by the writer. Messages sent via email must say “Letter to the Editor” to distinguish them from other messages not meant for publication. Include address and phone for verification (Not to be published.) Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. Personal attacks will not be published. Long letters from those with special authority on a current issue may be treated as a guest column (with photo requested). Due to volume, letters cannot be acknowledged. All letters are appreciated. Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for Wednesday publication.

I am a Fauquier County resident and I walk my pets at the WARF regularly. There are two basic rules that a few particular pet owners refuse to follow.

There are signs that are posted, “Pet waste transmits disease. Leash-curb and clean up after your dog. Please keep this area clean.”

Please keep your pet on a leash for your own safety as well as for others who are enjoying their walk or run. The WARF does supply bags for us; however, as a pet owner you should have bags on you at all times when walking your pet.

I have seen dog waste on the hard surface, on the side of the walking path, in grassy areas as well as the soccer field. Really ... I walked my pet on Saturday, March 21, only to observe in the grassy area next to the lady’s bathroom four bags of dog waste. As of March 29, the bags were still there. You know who you are, please go back and pick them up and dispose of them properly. Who does this?

It’s not the responsibility of the working folks that keep the area looking beautiful to clean up behind you. There are trash cans and a dumpster at the site, there is no excuse for folks not to dispose of their dogs’ waste in the proper containers.

I see there are new signs posted that say, “Please be a good neighbor. Clean up after your dog.”

I was glad to see the additional signs, unfortunately that did not seem to make any difference to those who refuse to follow the rules. I started walking up the hill and what do I see on the hard surface? You know it.

I am calling out the pet owners who refuse to clean up after their pets: Shame on you. What makes you and your pet so special that you will not follow two simple rules? Please do not ruin this for those of us who follow the rules in order to enjoy this wonderful scenic walking tour. Find some other place to walk your pet (like inside of “your” property line) if you cannot not follow the rules.

I’m not attempting to be the scat police but geez, help us out. Enjoy your outing. KIM MOORE

Warrenton Writer asks for neighborly consideration and responsibility