The human cost

Florida’s tough COVID summer. Now what? | Editorial, Sept. 11

Thanks to the Times for continuing to spotlight the disproportionately deadly effects of COVID in Florida. The statistics presented in Sunday’s Perspective section are alarming, given that Florida’s death rate is more than double that of California’s and not far from that when compared with Texas, the country’s two most populous states. So far, 80,384 Floridians have died from the pandemic, while 357 succumbed in just the past week. This is why I still wear a mask while shopping, although I encounter very few doing the same. Hardly surprising given the silence of the governor and his medical wingman, Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, when it comes to vaccines, boosters and masking up in crowds. One wonders how many of those effusively thanking Gov. Ron DeSantis in political TV ads these days for keeping their businesses open realize the human cost of the governor’s concept of freedom at any and all costs?

Fred Kalhammer, Sun City Center

Fear over facts

Florida’s tough COVID summer. Now what? | Editorial, Sept. 11

Ron DeSantis says he has led with “facts, not fears.” The statistics in this editorial reveal that Florida’s COVID death rate and summer spike are way worse than other large states. So it looks like the facts show that the governor’s touted leadership is actually one of fears — of mask mandates, of restrictions on businesses and of vaccines — and it’s winning out over facts.

Rick Carson, St. Petersburg

Saving my home

Homebuyer beware/be taxed | Sept. 11

The Save Our Homes cap is the only way that I and many of my neighbors can remain in our homes. Having lived in my Dunedin home for many years, I’ve seen home values increase dramatically. As a retiree on a fixed income, I, like many others, would be forced to sell my house if not for the cap. My house is a home, which goes beyond the structure to the life, experiences, and memories that have made it a home. I believe the cap is fair.

Nancy Granger, Dunedin

Preserving nature

$2.5M grant saves forest | Sept. 12

The $2.5 million grant from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission to save our Pinellas West Klosterman Preserve reminded me of another local citizens’ successful efforts to secure protection funding for the Gladys E. Douglas Preserve. Together, local citizens can make such a difference in protecting the rights of nature in Florida’s most densely populated county.

Ginger Goepper, Treasure Island