Forum letters: Thanks to Book of Dreams, we’ve made hundreds of blankets for low-income kids

Blankets for kids

Update from a 2019 Book of Dreams winner, submitted April 3:

Our organization, Sacramento Blankets for Sacramento Kids, was a winner of the Sacramento Bee Book of Dreams last year. So far, we have been able to purchase hundreds of no-sew blanket kits to make blankets for the lowest income kindergarteners, and give something important for all of our volunteers to do while sheltering in place! And while some are busy making the blankets purchased with your help, our sew-ers are busy making fabric masks for homeless shelters, hospitals and senior homes! Your donation has overwhelmed us with good feelings, and something productive to do for others during this COVID-19 crisis. Many, many thanks again from SBSK!

Protect immigrants

“Farmworkers pick our food. Shouldn’t we care about their health and coronavirus exposure?” (sacbee.com, March 20):

I am writing this letter in response to “Farmworkers touch our food, need virus protection” by Marcos Bretón published on March 22. Breton discusses how farmworkers are considered essential in this time of the pandemic and yet they are not treated as essential. I agree with Breton that we need to make sure that these workers have the right to health insurance and sick days. Breton also mentions that comprehensive immigration reform would address these injustices to our undocumented workers. In 2013, there was strong bipartisan support for the Immigration Reform Act which would have helped the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States gain legal status in conjunction with efforts to secure the border. Rather than responding to this pandemic with xenophobia, we need to make sure our essential undocumented workers share the same benefits as all workers. We will all be better off for that.

Protect yourself and others

“Renegade Sacramento-area church services: One goes ahead with a crowd, second parish cancels” (sacbee.com, April 5):

Although I don’t practice my faith within organized religion, I totally get that folks need their “people,” whether it’s a church family, birth family or family of friends. Especially in these trying times and during religious holy days. Requiring all of us to comply with health ordinances in this crisis is not imposing on religious rights. When churches defy rules that are in place to protect all of us, if their members get infected, they are sharing it with the rest of us. Congregants grocery shop or go to pharmacies. Some may need medical assistance. Exposure doesn’t stay in a church. Continuing to congregate would be violating the rights of all those outside their organization. We all need our “ people” now – but most are willing to distance, to protect our people, to protect your people.

Churches aren’t all bad

“With coronavirus in Sacramento churches, pastors who continue to risk lives deserve jail” (sacbee.com, April 2):

Saying “COVID-19 poses deadly risk to churches” and other faith communities only applies to a very small minority of churches in the Sacramento region. My church, and the vast majority of others, have closed down all group meetings and responded to the directives to keep everyone safe. There has always been a fringe group of Christians who erroneously believe that God will protect them when they behave in foolish ways. According to the American Medical Association Internal Medicine Journal, there is significant statistical evidence that people who attend churches “live longer, have lower stress levels, stronger social networking, an optimistic attitude, sense of purpose and better self-control.” My congregation’s activity has recently mushroomed in making loving, caring connections online and on the phone. Many churches are experiencing a growth in participation, precisely because we are creating alternative community that keeps everybody safe.

Prioritize climate

“Trump eases pollution rules for cars, setting up showdown with California” (sacbee.com, March 31):

More brown air, anyone? In 1975, when I moved to Sacramento from the Bay Area, I delighted in the blue, clear skies. Now, I see the effects of pollution and climate change, with daily smudged skies, dry waterways and hotter days for longer time. In 2011, the city of Sacramento emitted over 3.85 million metric tons of greenhouse gas. SMUD still operates five fossil fuel plants. Our community’s resolve to fight climate change resulted in the city of Sacramento’s adoption of a Climate Emergency Declaration in December. The Trump administration’s rollback of emission standards undercuts this declaration, and belittles our efforts to save our homes, lands and community. Our state officials will oppose the lower standards, but we still need the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to support our community’s commitment and adopt a climate emergency declaration.

Stop clearing homeless

“Sacramento police still clearing homeless — CDC coronavirus guidelines discourage it” (sacbee.com, April 4):

Thank you for shining a light on this important issue! I found it very alarming that despite the CDC guidelines, the Sacramento police are removing homeless people out of their camps outside City Hall, forcing them into more vulnerable situations that are both harmful to them and to other members of the community. In a time where we all have to compromise, I’m certain that the Sacramento City Hall should be able to find a way to compromise and temporarily cease the city ordinance to protect the safety of the homeless. This is the least we can do for a population so highly disregarded!