I am a concerned parent of a child that has Cystic Fibrosis. This H1N1 virus scares me to death, because of his condition. I believe the WDN needs to run frequent articles on this subject to inform the people of this county and surrounding counties of the severity of this virus. It has already made its way around the world once and it’s time for it to increase in numbers with the upcoming flu season. Also, it never completely ceased in the U.S. over the summer months. We are already starting to see the effects of it. If a person watches the news, there is hardly a day that goes by that this issue is not touched upon. This is a good informational source, but, how is this virus affecting our local area? You never hear about the numbers in this area,

I believe the state on-line sites have become very lax about updating their case counts. Just this week there was a reported death of a pregnant woman in Cinncinnati, Ohio, and of another individual in Fayette County, Kentucky whom had other underlying conditions. I’m sure the underlying conditions in both cases don’t help, but I’d bet the H1N1 is what caused the deaths. It is heading our way if it’s not already here, but no one wants to inform the public for fear of a panic. I believe we have gone beyond panic. With school now in full session we will soon see a tremendous increase in the H1N1 cases and possible deaths even in this area. We are not immune to this type of thing coming into our community and schools. I realize the individual county school boards have the authority to close school if there is a certain number of outbreaks in a county--but, in my opinion, it will be too late then. These sick children will infect other children and in turn all children go home and will infect their family members, and so on... I attempted to contact the state Board of Education to propose postponing school until the vaccine was available, but got no where with them. Not even on the local level. In my opinion the kids didn’t have to miss any school, it could be pushed on into summer.

I believe the children’s health and lives are more important given these circumstances than not getting three months off for a summer break. My child is not the only child at risk here. This virus seems to be attacking school age children the most. Most will survive but some won’t--especially those with underlying conditions such as asthma, diabetes, other respiratory issues, etc... We need to make a better effort to inform Mingo County.

Mary Ann Kennedy

Mingo County

Serial Killers

To the editor:

Ted Bundy and Jeff Dahmer were serial killers. They were caught and prosecuted.

America has serial killers who don’t have to worry about bering prosecuted, they are drug-peddling doctors.

Bundy and Dahmer killed because they were sexual perverts. Drug peddling doctors kill for profit. They get paid for the visit to the clinic and a kickback from the pharmaceutical company.

Although pain killers are needed for people with chronic pain, they are not medicine. Doctors who prescribe pain-killers are not treating an illness, they are creating an illness, which could kill the patient.

Therefore, we can conclude: Doctors who peddle drugs for profit are serial killers. Drug-dealing doctors have an advantage over other drug dealers – they have a license to sell drugs.

Bundy and Dahmer killed several people and were caught. A drug-peddling doctor will destroy the lives of thousands and contribute to the deaths of dozens before retiring.

Doctors take an oath to treat the sick. Some have found it more profitable to create disease.

Some of these painkillers are as addictive as cocaine. Creating addicts is what they were designed to do.

When it was reported that Michael Jackson’s death was the tresult of an overdose of painkillers, one of our congressmen suggested banning painkillers.

For decades, doctors have been killing their patients with painkillers. It took the death of an accused child molester to get a response from the government and, as usual, it was `the wrong response. Painkillers are needed for the treatment of pain.

There is a way to stop the abuse of all prescription drugs: A law that allows only surgeons and specialists to prescribe painkillers, and a law that prohibits all doctors from accepting money from any pharmaceutical company to push their brand of drugs whether it be painkillers or heart medicine.

If a doctor is paid to prescribe a less effective heart medicine, which will he choose?

Earl Mounts

Burnwell, Ky.

In support of Wayne T.

To the editor:

Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford is indeed a man ahead of his time. Such intelligence and foresight embodied in one human being is very seldom seen even in the most prolific minds of present day.

One example (over 20 years ago) Wayne saw an early vision for Pike County (eastern Kentucky) ,that coal was a very valuable part of the foundation, which could be used to sustain and thrive from. With this in mind Wayne T. seized the opportunity to explore the idea of a coal gasification plant right here in Pike County.

The location – near the Carl D. Perkins Apartments and Shelby Valley High School – is now the cutting edge idea and came to life in completion of this extraordinary feat accomplished by the perseverance of Wayne T. Rutherford. Even in his absence this would leave a viable contribution to the longevity and future of Pike County.

It is sad to say this magnificent accomplishment was destroyed due to limited minds with no visions of the distant future. Now the task to regain this plant is being considered by those who have just now obtained the intelligence and visionary abilities of Wayne T.

Hopefully Pike County will not be disqualified or not granted this opportunity we were given by Wayne T. If we never acquire it again it would be a pity.

This is just one example that Wayne T. really does love and care for Pike County. Hopefully Pike County can return the same love and care to him.

Thank you