We ache to see our grandchildren, and it’s worse than the COVID-19 risk

Longing worse than virus risk

I was glad to read about the lockdown’s toll not only on grandparents but on grandchildren as well. (Aug. 16, Extra Extra, “As school starts, homes with grandparents weigh virus risk”) I can’t imagine being distanced from our grandkids.

I know those with underlying health conditions must take precautions, but the mental anguish and trauma on the children is much greater than the fear of catching COVID-19.

Some seniors haven’t interacted with their grandchildren in five months. Zoom and FaceTime are poor substitutes for holding grandkids. It’s long past time to rejoin families and return to living as normal as possible.

- Carol Guarnieri, Fort Worth

Ambrose always so negative

How often must we have an opinion by Jay Ambrose of the Tribune News Service published in the Star-Telegram? He has bad opinions of every Democrat and trash talks. Bashing Sen. Kamala Harris with distorted facts was really too much. (Aug. 18, 9A, “Harris is far from perfect”) Find space for something more uplifting.

- Patricia J. Crouse, North Richland Hills

Don’t fear nuclear materials

Representatives from the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County state in their Sunday column that they oppose the transportation of high-level nuclear waste in Fort Worth because it is too dangerous. (5B, “Don’t let dangerous nuclear waste pass through Fort Worth”)

Decades ago, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Sandia National Laboratories tested spent fuel shipping casks, subjecting them to crashes, fire and drops. The most spectacular was a heavy locomotive traveling 80 mph crashing into a cask on a flatbed trailer. The integrity of the cask remained intact.

If the league is concerned about Fort Worth residents, it should review Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation guidelines for shipping non-radioactive hazardous materials — some of which could harm more people than high-level nuclear waste shipped in robust and rigorously tested casks.

- Frank B. Shants, Glen Rose

Give Abbott his due for changing

During news conferences held in the rush to open the state early from coronavirus lockdowns, Gov. Greg Abbott was flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen looking like enforcers for the fringe right. That didn’t work out too well, and Abbott has been left to clean up the mess, with Patrick and Bonnen nowhere to be seen.

We should give the governor credit for adjusting to the early mistakes and making the tough decisions to get us on the right track. Too many Texas politicians are out of touch with reality and show up only when seeking r publicity.

- Mark Matranga, Fort Worth

Kids are going to be kids

I understand that parents want their children back in school, but at what cost? I was a middle school teacher for 27 years. Even with the best of intentions and safety protocols in place, the coronavirus will be transmitted in schools.

Elementary and middle school students will not follow rules. Masks will be used as slingshots. Students will cluster in halls and bathrooms. They do not have the mental capacity to understand the risks.

I understand theneed for socialization, but is that more important than health?

- Nicki Morgan, Saginaw