Sheriff Mims and face masks: Letters to the editor, July 10, 2020

Cops, deputies and mask enforcement

I read that Sheriff Mims has no intention of enforcing the governor’s mask order, and now local police forces are “not making it a priority.” One can scarcely blame already beleaguered departments for not wanting to take on the task of cajoling reluctant or defiant citizens to don their masks. Shooting it out with the bad guys is much more exciting and glamorous. But if the goal is to save the most lives possible, maybe mask enforcement should be a priority. The effectiveness of wearing a mask in limiting the spread of COVID-19 is not really in dispute.

On the other hand, this seems like a golden opportunity for some of that creative re-imagining of public safety measures to which everyone has been giving lip service lately. Perhaps the city and county could redirect a modest portion of law enforcement funding into a vigorous promotion/enforcement program directed by social service and public health officials. It might even be more acceptable to the public.

Need to help homeless remains

I recently read about a random stabbing of a homeless woman in downtown Fresno. I also recently saw a young homeless woman, oblivious to her nakedness, wandering on First Street.

And I simply cannot understand a society that cares more for dogs than humans. In a land of plenty, where there is enough resources to help the homeless, not much is being done.

This is a land where 26 people own more wealth than the rest of the population of the entire country ! Is there something wrong with this picture?

Often the excuse is — they are alcoholics, they abuse drugs... really? They need help. Most of them are mentally ill. Thanks to the Olmstead decision, they are “in the community” as the law intended them to be. But did the lawmakers even think that not all are able to make informed choices? That not all families are able to provide the type of care the mentally ill require?

The spirit behind the Olmstead decision is good — but we need to revisit the law. We need to open a dialogue on how to provide provisions in the law to help our mentally ill homeless population.

Bredefeld, put on a mask, please

My representative on the Fresno City Council, Garry Bredefeld, disgusts me. Like so many of our representatives today, he doesn’t appear to give a damn about what is best for the majority of his constituents. All he seems to cares about is what’s good for him.

Worldwide, the consensus is that wearing a mask at this time is critical to the health and well being of all of us. I suggest that councilmember Bredefeld take control of his ego, grow up and wear a mask like those of us who care about the health and wellbeing of all of us.

Fresno High mascot needs to change

I wish to provide some perspective from the Native community with regard to a recent coverage of the Fresno High School mascot. I feel this depiction of a Native American warrior shows a false image of our local Natives, whose land the school sits on (Yokuts and Choinummi); this image is not of them. They do not create those markings on their face displayed on the mascot; that symbolism is from a different area.

This mascot is offensive and by no means respectful to our local Natives. If Fresno High would like to pay homage, honor and be respectful to Yokuts and Choinummi natives, the proper way to start would be to bring an offering to the local elders, ask to be educated on the correct image of their warriors and then ask if they could display it as their mascot.

Regardless of the answer they receive, this would be the way to do so if respect, homage and honor is what they are attempting to display as a school.

Fresno City College has given a great example of showing respect to our local Natives with creating Yokuts plaza if some tips are needed.

This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Sheriff Mims and face masks: Letters to the editor, July 10, 2020."