Georgians deserve better leadership in handling pandemic
Gov. Kemp has blamed President Biden for Georgia’s low vaccination rate because Kemp said Biden was not doing enough to help get vaccines out. As of Sept. 9, Georgia had a fully vaccinated rate of about 42%. Due to this abysmal vaccination rate, how can Georgians feel safe to work and be with friends and family? The CDC says people without vaccination are many times more likely to be hospitalized. The vaccinated rate affects us all, including hospital care workers, our front-line heroes, many of whom have quit due to extreme work stress and getting COVID.
On Sept. 9, Biden announced a rule mandating employers with more than 100 employees to require employees to be either fully vaccinated or get COVID tested every week. Without this step the pandemic will only get worse. On Sept. 9, over 96% of ICU beds in Georgia were full, and the numbers keep rising. We clearly need and deserve better leadership during this crisis in Georgia.
DONALD SIMON, MARIETTA
Why carbon price for climate change is needed in budget package
In July, western fires hazed eastern states’ skies, painting the full moon a mysterious Mars-like orange. Then, in early August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a red alert that human activity is unequivocally causing climate change! Then, the headline “Dozens killed in Northeast by storm’s remnants” (News, Sept. 3). Subways flooded and the story read, “Experts said it was slightly exacerbated by climate change — warmer air holds more rain.” For years, climate scientists have been saying that human-caused climate change is a threat multiplier strengthening hurricanes and increasing rainfall.
July’s carbon dioxide levels in our skies were 416 parts per million, while back in the 1830s they were around 284 parts per million. That excess results from human activity, especially burning fossil fuels.
It’s time we act responsibly. Adding a carbon price to the budget reconciliation package makes sense. Like getting a COVID vaccine, it reduces future threats.
BOB JAMES, ATLANTA
