While we obsess about COVID-19, obesity rates are rising. Where’s the government?

Have to pay the piper some day

Is the stimulus check what it seems? During the pandemic, the government sent out payments to help Americans, but it may have been a bad idea. There is no such thing as free money. We will have to pay off the debt with trillions of dollars in taxes later. It’s a huge number, and we will see an increase in taxes. We should cut spending in areas that aren’t priorities.

- Jonathan Gutierrez, Pickton

Focus on the bigger killer

It’s interesting that stories appeared in the Star-Telegram the other day showing COVID-19 rates dropping while obesity rates in the U.S. are rising (Sept. 17, 4A, “Texas joins list of states with highest adult obesity rates”). In 16 states, at least 35% of residents are considered obese.

Obesity and related issues will kill more people each year than COVID ever will, but governments aren’t mandating nutrition plans and workout routines. Are they really looking out for our best interests?

- Steve Himes, Fort Worth

Biden approval sinking like a stone

Polls show President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are the lowest of his presidency, thanks to employment numbers, the economy, foreign policy, the border crisis and immigration. He can blame COVID-19 and the Republicans, but he’s responsible. Every day I wonder what direction our country will go next.

- Lucille Bida, Arlington

One major point on toddlers, masks

I can relate to how exhausting it is to parent toddlers during a pandemic. However, the countries that Cynthia M. Allen cited in her column Sunday (5C, “On masks for toddlers, U.S. stands alone. Parents should say: ‘No more’ ”) that do not require their youngest children to wear masks have mandates for the rest of their citizens.

In Texas, and especially in Tarrant County, our government has taken the opposite approach. As a result, our youngest must rely on irresponsible adults to maintain their health and safety.

My toddlers have no issue wearing their masks throughout the day. All it took was a simple explanation of the reasoning and allowing them to choose the type of mask.

- Erin Perkes, Fort Worth

Congress needs to help climate, too

In his Oct. 8 opinion piece (11A, “Biden needs to make good on his climate promises”) John Horning argues that the president needs to take serious action to protect the environment. But action should not come only from the executive branch.

As the Build Back Better plan is negotiated, one way to reduce spending would be a tax on carbon. It could be revenue-neutral, or the money could be used for clean energy research or job-transition programs.

- Vivian Hunt, Arlington

Thanks for pointing out book

I appreciate the Southlake Carroll school board’s response to one mom’s discomfort after her daughter brought home a classroom book (Oct. 10, 4C, “Southlake school board shouldn’t micromanage parent complaint about anti-racism book”). I’m guessing the child selected “This Book is Anti-Racist” by Tiffany Jewell because it caught her eye.

Thanks to what I consider to be our school board’s overreaction, I now have a new book to read and recommend for discussion. Kudos to the teacher for having books and to the fourth-grader who picked one up.

And, yes, kudos to the board for implementing mandatory training on rules governing book selection. Nothing sparks interest in a book more than being told it shouldn’t be read, discussed or questioned.

- Lauren Green, Southlake