China’s Pneumonia Outbreak
Dear Editor: The World Health Organization (WHO) is repeatedly demanding answers from China about an outbreak of pneumonia among children in northern parts of the country. They issued the request after reports surfaced about undiagnosed clusters of pneumonia, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Their concern has recently been shared by five Republican senators who have urged President Biden to restrict travel between the U.S. and China, as that country has seen a rise in pediatric pneumonia cases.
As the old saying goes, “Better to be safe than sorry,” especially when it comes to our children and China’s lack of transparency that dates back to the earlier COVID-19 pandemic.
We urge all to join us in contacting the President and our two senators, Schumer and Gillibrand, to express support for these senators at this most crucial time. This is a non-partisan issue and affects all Americans. Speak up, please!
Thomas and Constance Dowd
Oakland Gardens
A Christmas Poem
Dear Editor: I remember a Christmas that was so very true where my Mom had stockings hung on the mantle with loving care. Our Christmas tree so tall and green decorated by my Mom
with pride and good cheer. The manger nestled below the tree with figures of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, given the reason for the season. It is time of love so true that I had known brought family, friends, and neighbors who gather to hold what we all hold most dear.
So, Merry Christmas to all and be kind and giving to those in the most need this time of the year.
Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
A Question on Faith
Dear Editor: I found Father Michael Perry’s letter (Letters to the Editor, Dec. 16) to be profound and important in light of the current state of affairs. I, too, have a question; Why is it
that most of my fellow Christians who are pro-life would support leaders who claim to be pro-life, yet want to loosen gun restrictions, support the death penalty, and are intolerant of others who do not share their same religious beliefs?
I believe these are values more in line with a Taliban mentality than that of Christianity’s teachings. Anyone?
Joe Dugan
Marine Park
Is Tuesday better than Sunday?
Dear Editor: I recently attended a Christmas concert at a diocesan school. The children were great and it brought great joy to all the parents and families that came to see the children perform.
What I found remarkable was that it was standing room only in this moderate size church. I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have this problem on an average Sunday? I have a suggestion to the
principals and the priests who sit on the boards of our schools: make Mass a requirement for religion class. Who knows, the church might have the same problem with seating as it did on that Tuesday night.
Joseph J. Puntino
Flushing
Happy at St. Benedict’s
Dear Editor: St. Benedict the Moor Church is the oldest Black Church in Jamaica, Queens. I am happy with the parishioners supporting St. Benedict and all Catholic Churches.
I am still a Catholic in my old age in Jamaica, Queens. All stories about Black Catholic parishes should be positive ones.
Earl Roberts
Jamaica
Puzzle Pleasure
Dear Editor: Kudos to the author of The Tablet’s Catholic Crossword Puzzle feature. I am happy if I know the answer, and if I do not, I hopefully learn more about my faith.
Josephine Harkay
Jamaica