Where Are the Tests?
To the editor:
On Jan. 20 a 35-year-old man in Washington state returned from visiting family in Wuhan, China. He became the first person in the U.S. to be diagnosed with coronavirus. On the same day the first case of Covid-19 was reported in South Korea. They immediately took action. Why did our president not act? Why has it taken so long for our government to act?
By the end of February, the World Health Organization had shipped 1.4 million Covid-19 tests made by a German company, as the CDC struggled to produce a test that worked. Our government refused the German-made tests. Why?
Testing and retesting: that is how the northern Italian town of Vò, with a population of more than 3,000, identified and isolated infected people. They stopped the spread of Covid-19.
Many say the U.S. has one of the best health-care systems in the world. So why are we still waiting not only for Covid-19 tests but also for the protective gear our health-care workers and first responders need?
As a long-term AIDS survivor, a cancer survivor, and 66 years young, I feel susceptible to getting the Covid-19 virus. I want to get tested. Everybody needs to be tested to know if they have it so we can do what is necessary to stop the spread of this pandemic.
Where are the tests?
Stephen Kovacev
Truro
We Are the Ones
To the editor:
A couple of years ago, I encountered on the side of a friend’s refrigerator “A Message From Hopi Elders.” I found it deeply moving.
In these difficult times, it came back to me, so now I am passing it on to you.
We don’t know the actual author, and some question the attribution. For me this does not dim its wisdom.
A Message From Hopi Elders
You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour; now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered…
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
Tom Weidlinger
Angels Camp, Calif.
The writer is author of The Restless Hungarian, reviewed in the Independent on March 12.
From the Admiral
To the editor:
Thanks for the vital story on the T-paper shipment [“Mercy Cruise Brings TP to Provincetown,” April 2, page 3]. One little detail: Eddie Ritter’s dory will lead the flotilla of transport boats, and the first delivery will go to those who are unable to get their water turned on.
Jay Critchley
Provincetown
