Saturday's letters: Misinformation about Dr. Fauci, mixing politics and medicine, more

Steube makes false claims about Fauci

Read the facts about Dr. Anthony Fauci and animal testing, which U.S. Rep. Greg Steube wrote about so emotionally in his column Nov. 10.

While animal testing was used by the National Institutes of Health, many of Steube's statements about Fauci were taken out of context or are just incorrect.

Steube’s opinions are highly offensive. I expect better of my elected official. Before taking him at his written word, check the facts at this Snopes.com link.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fauci-vaccine-experiment-beagles

Diane Kearney, Venice

Corners cut for new surgeon general

When I moved to Florida, I obtained a restricted medical license to do volunteer work.

It took months, since the Board of Medicine needs to do due diligence. It searches databases, requires letters and even interviews doctors. Some doctors move from state to state, even when they have bad records.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo, our newly appointed surgeon general, obtained his medical license in two days (“‘Grave concerns’: Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s medical license OK’d in two days,” Nov. 10).

It has been reported that Ladapo was brought to the attention of Gov. Ron DeSantis by political operatives and donors. This led to his also being hired as a tenured faculty member at the University of Florida medical school.

As a member of a fringe group called America’s Frontline Doctors, Ladapo promoted the anti-parasite drug Ivermectin and the worthless use of Hydroxychloroquine.

Doctors and staff at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he previously worked, said he was not involved in treating COVID-19 patients, contrary to his statements.

Mixing politics into the medical arena is wrong. In Florida, under DeSantis and his minions, the mixture of politics and medicine has been rampant and, in many cases, it has proven to be toxic.

Ike Koziol, MD, Sarasota

Consult park visitors about improvements

Arlington Park, in Sarasota, is a treasure. The dog park area provides space for small and large dogs to run off-leash.

On Nov. 8, a notice appeared stating that the chairs, brought to the enclosure by dog owners, would be removed for “safety reasons.” The next day, all chairs were removed, leaving only the decrepit tables and benches provided by the city.

First, the unauthorized chairs were not a safety hazard. Owners brought them to the park to provide socially distanced seating during the COVID pandemic. Second, the wooden tables and benches are themselves unsafe. They harbor spiders and several park users have suffered splinters requiring first aid.

The bureaucrat who made this decision would benefit from a consultation with Arlington Park’s regular visitors concerning what improvements they feel would benefit the park.

The last time an “improvement” was made, the large dog park ended up with two metal canopies that serve no purpose. They do not provide shade and cannot be used as shelter in a thunderstorm.

Let’s be considerate of those who frequent the park and enjoy its amenities.

Susan Girese, Sarasota

Paper ignores basic rules of journalism

The Herald-Tribune has done it again. You can't seem to practice responsible journalism in your newspaper.

On Nov. 7, the banner front-page headline read, “Abbott, DeSantis in race to the right.” It was an opinion piece.

The lead paragraph in the article, from the Austin American-Statesman, read, “… Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appear locked in a duel for a Republican base of voters eager to recapture the White House in 2024.”

The reporters didn't attribute this opinion to any source. You know what attribution is, don’t you? It is the source of the reporter's information, normally not the writer. The “story” goes on in similar fashion.

I taught high school journalism in Manatee County and other places throughout my career, and I taught my students the basics of journalism – of which your newspaper is a poor example. Grade: “D.”

Larry Wilson, Venice

Call out Buchanan for infrastructure vote

Rep. Vern “Mr. Bipartisan” Buchanan voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill. He voted against roads. He voted against bridges. He voted against jobs!

I wish the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board would call him out on this. Watch him show up at ribbon cuttings financed by the bill. He needs to be held accountable!

Louis Grossman, Sarasota

Orchestra creates wondrous ensemble

On Nov. 7, the coming together of the Sarasota Orchestra under conductor Marcelo Lehninger and the wonderful violinist Blake Pouliot was a remarkable example of ensemble music making.

I cannot find words adequate to express how much I enjoyed the concert, particularly Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

Nina Collins, Sarasota

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Get the facts about Fauci, no due diligence for surgeon general