TNT letters: Sick and tired of COVID rules; nurse-to-patient ratios; housing the homeless
COVID mandates
In the last few days, it’s become obvious that Democrat governors nationwide are making a quick 180-degree turn on the subject of mandated vaccines and masks. Has the science really changed, or do they realize that perpetual fear promotion and name calling of those who question their authority will not win the next election?
Perhaps they see the canary in the coal mine with current events in Canada, the most polite, law-abiding nation on earth. Of course, the legacy media on both sides of the border obediently label the last two weeks of protest as “supremacist, racist and fringe.”
I think we are witnessing an inflection point where a critical mass of people are not only tired of the mandates, but are tired of being talked down to by leftist politicians who don’t have to follow their own rules and can ride out the perpetual pandemic in their pajamas.
Rick Tanis, University Place
Nurse shortage
As a nurse and former manager, I would like to express my thanks to St. Joseph Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Ruth Flint for writing an op-ed concerning the nursing shortage and House Bill 1868. I agree with her on the issues associated with overflowing hospitals, yet I do not necessarily agree with her position on HB 1868.
Nurses are asked to take on unsafe patient care assignments. Hospitals ask nurses to do more with less staffing, creating an unsafe patient to nurse ratio. This is what the bill intends to rectify.
We have not been acknowledged as an integral part of the health care team. We constantly battle for pay, benefits and vacations. Although not perfect, unions have been a mechanism for nurses to address unsafe staffing, low wages and benefits.
This house bill is being introduced because hospitals have refused to acknowledge the staffing shortage and refused to pay nurses what they are worth. Just because hospitals are in crisis does not mean that the bill is not needed.
We are asking for a safe staffing model. Our patients and nurses deserve better.
Brian Halpern, Tacoma
Homeless encampments
In reference to The News Tribune’s front page article on Feb. 5 titled “State lawmakers advance bill to address homeless camps,” I don’t understand why we don’t use the solution we already have: Section 8 of the Federal Housing Act of 1937, often simply called Section 8.
As repeatedly amended, the law authorizes the payment of rental housing assistance to private landlords on behalf of low-income households. Unfortunately, it is terribly underfunded, the wait lists for Section 8 vouchers are very long - up to 10 to 20 years - and many city or county programs are permanently closed to new applicants. Also, the law allows landlords to refuse to comply.
If we can’t get the federal government to update and properly fund this law, how about if our state supplements the costs and improves the implementation of this law. Problem solved! You’re welcome!
John Selby, Edgewood