Officials blame local house fires on holiday fireworks | July 5

Where does the accountability lie?

The Florida Legislature has again failed the citizens of Florida by passing and signing into law SB 140, which legalizes the use of fireworks on the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The bill fails to restrict the sale of dangerous fireworks, such as bottle rockets and projected aerial fireworks, that can maim someone, and in some cases, cause death. That’s not to mention the huge risk of creating brush fires, damaging neighboring homes lanai screens and solar panels.

I have no issue with celebrating our Independence Day. However, I believe that common sense needs to be applied. If someone is injured, can the Florida Legislature, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, be held accountable and liable?

Mark Khan, Florida

Mask orders

No both sides here

I own a retail business, and all my team members and I are acutely aware of the differing opinions on how useful masks are during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hear both sides of the argument every day.

It is a problem, though, when people verbally attack employees over the local government’s mandate. Customers need to recognize that employees are simply doing what they’ve been asked to do in communicating that masks are required inside a business. Verbally attacking people just because you disagree with the policy is wrong.

I urge all that feel they should not be forced to wear a mask inside a business to stop taking out their frustration and anger on innocent workers that are just trying do their job. If you feel that strongly and don’t want to wear a mask inside businesses, you should do yourself and all retail workers a favor and simply discontinue going inside businesses while the mask orders are in place. Most every business has curbside service in place so that customers can still make purchases without ever having to step foot in the business.

Dave O’Brien, Belleair Bluffs

What’s right, even if it’s inconvenient

During World War II, sugar, meat and other essentials were rationed for the good of the country. Did my mother and others who had to experience this complain? I’m sure they’d have preferred it was different, but they knew this sacrifice was best for the war effort. So, no, they didn’t complain. They did what was necessary.

We are now in a war against COVID-19 and, to keep our fellow Americans from being infected by this ‘enemy,’ we are asked or required to wear masks in public. And what do many privileged Americans do? They say it is their right not to wear masks and they aren’t going to do it! In effect, they are saying it is their right to infect others. How selfish.

It’s time for sacrifice for the good of our fellow Americans. Do what’s right even if it is inconvenient.

Bettie Weiller, Dunedin