You Can't Make This News Up - And Response (4)

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2020

It’s only Tuesday morning, but this week has already brought us more bizarre irony than a normal weekly news cycle. Real news - not fake news.

1.  Hundreds of Hamilton County Republican Party fundraiser attendees at the Trade Center declined to wear masks and to social distance, because... I have no idea.

2.  Johnson and Johnson this week has announced FDA approval of a nasal spray to more quickly treat individuals with suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

3.  The number of Chattanooga  intensive care unit covid-19 patients is at an all-time high.

Conclusion: Hamilton County Republican Party fundraiser hosts should have handed out new Johnson & Johnson anti-suicide spray as a party favor at the recent event.

Live theater is proving to be much more interesting than Netflix reruns.

Michael Mallen, health, safety and environmental attorney

* * *

Suicide is a very real problem and not something to be joked about.

Hopefully, this new medication will be a break through in treating individuals that have reached the breaking point in their life.  

You owe an apology to the medical community, Johnson & Johnson, and to all those suffering from a very real disease.

Mike Layne

* * *

I figured you “accidentally” left out the substance of #3 on your list so I took the opportunity to fill in the rest as reported by the Health Department and reported by the Chattanoogan. “Hamilton County had just 44 new coronavirus cases on Monday, but had the highest number of COVID patients yet in Intensive Care - 35.” 

 

I know 35 patients (Still more than anyone would like) in ICU doesn’t have the same fear factor you were looking for in your “record number”, but compared to the 400,000-square-foot Alstom facility that was going to be utilized for overflow patients I think Hamilton County has a pretty good grasp on the pandemic. 

 

Let us not forget that patients are being brought in from outside of Hamilton County and Chattanooga because we have the ICU beds available to provide care so the record of 35 could be much less, but fortunately we have the available resources within our city and county. 

 

So while you “can’t make this news up” you can definitely put a spin on it to drive one's agenda or even worse create fear.       

 

Chris Morgan

 

* * *

 

I don’t find the irony at all in Michael Mallen’s opinion piece. 

 
Obviously, he has a distaste for the Republican Party. Plainly, he has no realization what those who entertain the idea of suicide go through. And for some strange reason he thinks people of the Republican Party are contemplating suicide and need help to prevent such a tragedy with a “party favor”.  
 
Mr. Mallen, joking about death and dying is not ironic, funny or remotely humorous. You missed the mark here. Clearly, you would love to hand out favors of a different kind to those that think and feel differently than you. Can someone explain what is “ironic” about this piece?

Tammie Clark

* * *

There is irony here, a political event takes place, people post they’ll go if no mask required, the event takes place, photos go up of maskless participants, then go down.  The only photo shown is of setup with mask wearing volunteers.

Meanwhile I’m isolating because someone did not follow protocols and wear a mask in close quarters with a person who has Covid 19.  Due to my proximity I tested yesterday and will resume work when negative results come, I hope.

So please, look at the behavior that causes someone to express “irony”. The message and reality of the world doesn’t change just because you don’t like it. Willful Disease roulette could be a precursor to suicide.

I know getting a disease is a personal choice in some folks’ eyes. That stated, some would rather  not be infected. Do the staff that worked this event get to go home because attendees did what they did?  Funny how this pandemic is so similar to the AIDS crisis, the ophthalmic test is still administered. That is one looks at another with the distance near enough that lunch or drink odor is obvious and discerns for themselves that no epidemic is going to tell them what to do. The virus thanks you, your next of kin who may care for you if you get ill likely won’t.

Prentice Hicks

Opinion
Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 28
  • 3/28/2024

Budget becomes central focus in final weeks of 113th General Assembly Members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week were briefed by Finance and Administration Commissioner ... more

Senate Republican Caucus Weekly Wrap March 28
  • 3/28/2024

This week on Capitol Hill lawmakers were hard at work passing meaningful legislation to improve the lives of Tennesseans as the General Assembly begins to wind down. Public safety was a big focus ... more