Will we accept history’s guidance about the common good, public health and politics?

Who’s the doctor here?

Preventable disease is killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, and many political leaders block public health measures based on liberty. Are they correct?

In 1777, hundreds of soldiers died from smallpox, so Gen. George Washington mandated the smallpox vaccine.

In 1901, a pastor said mandatory public health measures (during a smallpox epidemic) violated his liberty. The U.S. Supreme Court in Jacobson v. Massachusetts said the rights of the individual may, at times, under the pressure of great dangers, be subjected to such restraint.

In 1922, the parents of a Texas student refused to follow public health policy based on freedom. In Zucht vs. King et al, the U.S. Supreme Court said the ordinances confer not arbitrary power, but the discretion required to protect public health.

Need more? Measles killed an average of 593,282 people per year in the 20th century (CDC.gov). In 2000, that number was 81, a 99.98 percent decrease because public health policy works.

In 1777, Washington listened to medical advice. Today, all three branches of state government are not only gutting public health policy, but they treat doctors as freedom-stealing traitors. Have a Smith fracture? A pancoast tumor? COVID?

Don’t look to us. Call a politician.

Charles A. Trant, M.D.

Florence

A dubious distinction

Governor McMaster, you must be SO proud! South Carolina is now #1 in the nation for its rate of COVID-19 infections per 100,000. And at least two school children have died from COVID. Way to go, Gov!

Betsy Heynen

Clinton

Of shoes and mandates

Is it all right for children to go to school barefooted? Is there a law or mandate that says all children must wear shoes? Maybe it’s time for our legislature and courts to think about that.

Barbara Gulledge

Sumter

Masking saves lives

Well, the South Carolina Supreme Court has joined Governor McMaster in making known its lack of feelings for the children of South Carolina. As the CDC and the FDA have stated numerous times that mask-wearing will in fact help control the spread of COVID-19, the governor and the Supreme Court continue to ignore the experts and substitute their own feeble beliefs for the facts. Thank God we have such all knowing parties to show us the way. Unmasked children pose a serious risk to non-vaccinated children as well as to children and teachers who may have underlying conditions. So the decision to mask or not is left to the parents who may or may not be vaccinated, and may or may not believe the experts on masking. For the sake of your children and their teachers, I hope to God your decision is right although knowledge and science say that masking saves lives.

Joe Malcolm

Lancaster

Bipartisan problem-solving needed

As I read the “Letters to the Editor” each week, I sense a degree of animosity and division based on party loyalty. Our federal and state governments face numerous challenges. In my view, a bipartisan approach with decisions in the best interest of our country and state is urgently needed as we move forward. It is time to stop financing and solve some of these issues.

Tom Crooks

Pomaria