At a time when many have forgotten the threat of infectious diseases like polio, I feel a duty as a polio survivor to remind the public that polio anywhere is a threat everywhere.
The polio vaccine is one of the greatest public health achievements of our time, protecting against a paralyzing and potentially life-threatening virus that once struck fear in the hearts of parents prior to the advent of the vaccine in 1955.
Since 1988, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have reduced polio cases by 99.9% worldwide, sparing more than 20 million people from paralysis.
Although some may view polio immunization as optional for themselves or their children because it isn’t circulating where they live or they don’t deem the infection to be life-threatening, history has shown that polio doesn’t respect borders. In 2022, the U.S. saw its first case of polio in decades in a community with low immunization rates.
And the consequences for those who contract and survive polio may be profound and permanent. Just ask me and the hundreds of thousands of survivors globally.
This year’s theme for World Immunization Week, April 24 to 30, is: “For every generation, vaccines work!”
I invite all of us to ensure that we and our children are fully immunized against polio. Learn more about progress in the global fight to end polio at endpolio.org.
— Ina Pinkney, chef, Chicago
Shifting police to CTA trains
Regarding the story “CTA ends contract for private guards” (April 22): The muddled discussion of the CTA replacing private security guards on trains with Chicago police and Cook County sheriff’s police misses a major issue. While the need for trained security at CTA facilities is imperative, this shift removes police from their other assignments and duties around the city and county.
Chicago’s policing is already too limited. There are few regular neighborhood patrols, the most effective procedure. There is little traffic policing in the city. Response times, even with 911 calls, are poor.
This issue overlaps with some aldermen’s campaigns for “snap curfews.” Almost certainly nonconstitutional, these curfews would remove dozens of police from their needed duties.
Removing more forces from the field only weakens general public safely. The city must realize this and reckon with it. Now!
— Harvey J. Graff, Chicago
The voice of Catholic women
It is very difficult to be a woman in the Catholic Church today. We are treated as second-class citizens, we have limited agency over our bodies, we are unable to preach and we are expected to obey the patriarchy of the church. Thank goodness women support each other in our spirituality. I turn to my women friends in difficult times, not the Catholic church.
And the abrupt transfer of our beloved pastor, the Rev. Jim Donovan, from St. Barnabas Parish reinforces my belief that we as women have no room nor voice in the Catholic church.
— Elizabeth Butler Marren, Chicago
Do Bears expect lasting loyalty?
As the Chicago Bears ponder where their next venue will be, it brings to mind the movie “Field of Dreams.” One famous line is: “If you build it, they will come.”
But the reality might be: “If you build it in Indiana, they may not come.”
The Bears belong in Illinois. We Illinoisans have supported the Bears organization for decades. If they choose to move to Indiana, the local support may not follow. People in Indiana will support the Colts, not the Bears. The Bears are looking for tax breaks and incentives, but all that will do the Bears no good if part of their fan support declines.
It’s a tall order to expect Bears fans to cross state lines and be loyal to a team in Indiana.
Choose wisely!
— Mike Slechta, Lombard
Have hearings on bike lanes
There are many miles of protected bike lanes, and more are in the works. It’s time to pause and consider the experiences of those places that have these bike lanes. Hearings should be held where representatives of police, fire and ambulances could testify as to their ability to move when traffic is not moving and other vehicles cannot pull over. Representatives of FedEx, UPS and Amazon, among others, could testify as to their ability to make deliveries where protected bike lanes are present. Drivers could testify as to their ability to move around buses whose stops are in the driving lane, stalled cars and vehicles making left turns. Business owners could testify as to their loss of business due to the removal of parking spots for customers.
It would also be useful for voters to weigh in on the issue of protected bike lanes. Numbers could take precedence over well-organized, highly vocal special interest groups.
— Larry E. Nazimek, Chicago
Preserve our neighborhoods
I strongly agree with Larry Craig’s letter (“Make houses more affordable,” April 18). The idea of keeping houses off market to builders for a limited time is an excellent idea. Institute a two-week waiting period, in which individuals can consider and bid on a home, before turning it over to the builder market.
I have seen dozens of homes torn down that should have been saved. We are losing 100-year-old trees. The house next door to me could have been remodeled, and two ancient oaks could have been saved.
A waiting period would allow more affordable homes to be available instead of becoming McMansions and would preserve the character of older neighborhoods.
— Raymond Peterman, Glen Ellyn
Beautiful expression of love
I went to the Tricoci University of Beauty Culture recently on Sheridan Road in Chicago. One of the supervisors was Christian Meng, a great talent in the hair industry. His beard and eyebrows were dyed pink, and I told him I appreciated his courage in doing this. He told me that his mother has ovarian and breast cancer and he dyed his eyebrows and beard to support her in her fight against cancer.
I believe this gesture is a most beautiful and creative act, along with showing great love for his mom.
I would like the Tribune to print this in honor of his love, his courage, his talent and the beauty he brings to the world in so many ways.
— Ina Goldberg, Chicago
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