Readers views: Smoking at casinos + plant-based meat
New transparency?
Thank you to the Mississippi legislators who stood up for their constituents and ensured that the people of Mississippi would be represented fairly in the disbursement of the tax dollars the federal government allotted to our state under the CARES Act. I hope the legislators will continue to represent us in case that the governor vetoes SB2772.
The lieutenant governor and the Mississippi Senate seem to be committed to a new spirit of transparency in state government. I hope that the speaker and the House will follow suit and make transparency a focus as they work to represent Mississippians now and in the future. Transparency within the legislative bodies themselves and to the people of Mississippi would be a sign of progress for responsible governance.
Carrie Bartlett
Gulfport
Smoking at casinos
The spread of the coronavirus has slowed somewhat to the point that states are considering an “opening of the economy,” but caution is advised. The most harmful effect caused by this virus is a respiratory disorder. Any contributing factor will only exasperate the effect of this virus. Smoke is one such insidious factor, especially in casinos.
Before casinos are reopened, now is the time to consider self-imposed corporate policies to prohibit smoking of any kind.
If gaming companies do not do so, then state legislators should enact non-smoking laws. When all casinos in Mississippi are smoke-free there would be a level playing field. Statistics have shown that casino revenues are not diminished by smoke-free laws. Two casinos on the gulf coast are smoke-free and thriving-- The Palace and Island View beach side.
The 80% of non-smokers will welcome a safer environment in which to gamble. But the major benefit will be the health of employees who are exposed to second-hand smoke many more hours than are the customers. They are often exposed to secondhand smoke seven hours a day - five days a week. These employees do not complain for fear of losing their jobs.
Gaming is as much a motivation as is smoking. The estimated 20% of smokers will adjust.
Jerry P. Moreau
Diamondhead
Unfunded mandates
States are lobbying the federal government to subsidize their revenue shortfalls resulting from the COVID-19 shutdown.
That puts the taxpayer on the hook twice, through state and federal taxes.
Unlike the federal government, states have to live within their means. Some are doing a better job of that than others.
It’s not a good idea to reward the fiscally irresponsible. It would set a dangerous precedent.
It would be helpful, however, if the feds allowed states more flexibility by dropping unfunded mandates.
Richard M Smith
Saucier
Make the switch
Massive slaughterhouse closures are driving U.S. consumers to plant-based meat products, as sick workers pay the price.
Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and Smithfield Foods, the largest meat processors, have closed 17 plants, devastating rural communities and threatening the nation’s meat supply. Production is already down by 25 percent.
In reaction, U.S. sales of plant-based meats surged by 265 percent, according to consumer data group Nielsen. Shares of Beyond Meat, a prominent plant-based meat brand, rallied by 60 percent.
A Washington Post investigation found that coronavirus outbreaks in more than 48 U.S. meat packing plants have sickened at least 3,300 workers and killed 17. The companies failed to provide adequate protective gear to the workers and forced some with COVID-19 symptoms to keep working. USA Today reports that more than 150 of U.S.’s largest plants operate in counties with the highest rate of coronavirus infection.
In addition to the generally accepted consumer health argument for avoiding animal food products, the pandemic has now added the worker health element. Production of plant-based meats requires much less labor and allows for ample physical distancing.
We can all support the switch to healthy food on our next visit to our supermarket.
Porter Montgomery
Biloxi