Letters to the Editor

Preservation of Moroccan Heritage

Dear Editor:

The US-Moroccan NGO, High Atlas Foundation, collaborates with the people of Morocco as they perpetuate their heritage utilizing local and global partnerships. Association Mimouna, the Foundation of Memories for the Future, and others are at the foreground in Morocco to encourage the public’s rediscovery of Christian and Jewish dimensions of the nation.

Further, people at the Embassy of the United States in Rabat are dedicated to assisting Morocco in its initiatives for cultural preservation and to enable the nation’s youth to explore and more deeply internalize their historic identity of religious and ethnic diversity and unity. Morocco’s relationship with Israel can be a gateway for Moroccan-Jewish people–along with other members of Morocco’s diaspora–to return to the land of their origins and join this national effort to restore long-held sacred locations that epitomize the country’s embracing of its intercultural self.

Collaborations are crucial to sharing knowledge lest it be ever forgotten, to inspiring the world, and to making the lives and livelihoods of the Moroccan people better today.

Sincerely
Yossef Ben-Meir
President, High Atlas Foundation
Marrakech

Allergic Reaction to Vaccine in NYC

Dear Editor:

With more than 30,000 COVID-19 vaccinations administered in New York City, we have received a single report of a serious adverse event in a health care worker. The health care worker, who had a significant allergic reaction, has been treated and is in stable condition.

Vaccines do have side effects and allergic reactions – while uncommon – are known to occur. We also know that based on clinical trials and reports of adverse effects in other jurisdictions, reactions such as these are rare but have been reported with the Pfizer vaccine.

The City Health Department is closely tracking reports of more severe side effects in collaboration with the CDC, and this is the first serious adverse event we have encountered in New York City. We will continue to move forward with the coronavirus vaccine distribution to ensure that health care workers and nursing home staff and residents are protected against COVID-19.

Sincerely
New York City Department
of Health & Mental Hygiene

Should Congress Have Public Hearings on New Bills?

Dear Editor:

Today’s Congressional generation could learn much from the late Idaho Republican Senator James A. McClure. For 18 years, he read every word of every bill before voting on it. Even taking an Evelyn Wood speed reading class would not have provided sufficient time for any Congress member to absorb the 5,593 pages contained in the $1.4 trillion legislation for funding the federal government and $892 billion more for a second CARE COVID-19 relief package.

Only lobbyists and key Congressional staff members (employed by the House and Senate leadership teams) who actually wrote the fine print on behalf of their bosses have any idea of the details buried in the actual contents. There should be adequate time for members of Congress, ordinary citizens, the media and independent good government watch dog groups the opportunity to understand all of the contents contained in this legislation.

Everyone would also have the option under an open process to comment and discuss the benefits or consequences before others vote up or down for adoption. Congress should have held public hearings in the light of day instead of meeting in the back room of House Majority Speaker Pelosi, House Minority Leader McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Schumer’s offices.

The result will be increasing our national debt $1 trillion to a record $28 trillion, $83,000 per citizen or $220,000 per taxpayer. So much for open transparency in government.

Sincerely,
Larry Penner