Citizen's view on virus "shocking"

Dear Editor:

As I read last week’s edition of the La Conner Weekly News, I was shocked to read “A Citizen’s View” by Renae Paisley. At the bottom of the incendiary opinion of Ms. Paisley, there are the following words in italics: “Renae Paisley is an entrepreneur in La Conner who seeks to share love, truth and gratitude in these unprecedented times.”

I am sorry, but those words don’t ring true for me – in fact, they seem to contradict the message of her printed opinion. Ms. Paisley’s opinion is anything but loving. Rather, it seeks to share ignorance, callousness and hostility toward anyone she doesn’t feel is “ordinary.” Yes, that is what she wrote.

Basically, she sponsors the idea that “ordinary and healthy” people should go out, live their lives and let the “unordinary” people stay in the shadows. She seems unaware that some people might have chronic illnesses, diseases or have been placed at risk through no fault of their own.

Apparently, Ms. Paisley seems to think that anyone with type 1 diabetes, asthma, cerebral palsy or any other ailment or disease that strikes independently of a person’s nutritional diet, doesn’t deserve to be protected from this virus. Not really a loving mindset.

Ms. Paisley continues with, “If I interact with someone who has not eaten nutritionally excellent foods or properly taken care of their health that is their personal responsibility.” Wow! Those are her words, not mine.

Is Ms. Paisley reasonable? Only if you believe that anyone who isn’t in perfect health should just stay inside so that Ms. Paisley isn’t inconvenienced. An entrepreneur seeking to share love? Hardly. More like a dissident pissed off that she is being asked to wear a mask while she shops in order to protect others from a deadly virus, the likes of which we haven’t seen in more than 100 years.

One parting thought: Even though Ms. Paisley wrote that she “truly hopes I get the virus,” I do not wish that fate upon her. I am afraid that if she were to contract the virus, she might continue to put more people at risk with her negligent, cavalier attitude toward everyone else.

With respect,

Michael Handorf

La Conner