To the editor:

I am writing in response to Mike Gramelspacher's letter that was published in The Herald on April 16.

Your attitude towards our senior population in this country was heart wrenching. Our elderly have families that love them and our society should respect that.

Just today, the very day I read your column, on TV a woman who had overcome cancer and a double lung transplant was looking forward to the birth of a granddaughter. This lady died of COVID19 three days before the birth of that child. During this time of celebration of the birth, they are also mourning the death of their mother and grandmother. This week also saw two cases where one woman, 104, and another in her 90s survived. The medical staff was cheering. They didn't write these two women off. They didn't say, "why bother they are going to probably die this year anyway."

This age group may be the largest statistic but there are plenty in other age groups. In the state of Illinois, one victim was just two weeks old. In another state, a child was five years old her dad was a first responder. In Colorado, one young man was in college with no known health problems. Middle age people are getting it as well. 

You seem to think that COVID-19 deaths aren't more then a head count — not a person with family and friends. Not a person with a future that could have contributed to society.

The virus caused our economic problems. It will take more knowledge with testing. We only recently tested 1% of our population. I keep remembering the first case in New York was a lawyer. He gave it to his family. His family gave it to others and so on. It totaled 100 people. So how widespread is the virus? I would think 1% tested is not very scientific. A strong economy is very important. No one denies that. Lives should be worth more including our senior family members and friends.

—Rebecca Lasher
Holland