Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 9-3-20 E-edition

Thursday, September 3, 2020 | A4 | Mid Valley TiMes Editorial & Opinions
Serving the Readers of the Reedley Exponent, Dimuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald.
A Mid Valley Publishing Newspaper
Founded March 26, 1891, in a two-story building on the corner of 11th and F streets, by A.S. Jones
Fred Hall — Publisher
In my OPINION Labor Day holiday this
year feels like a lockdown
Hard to believe, but Monday of next week is Labor Day.
A teacher's opposition to students on campus this fall at Immanuel Schools
Rick Curiel — Sanger Editor Jon Earnest — Reedley Editor Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
QUOTE
“Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.”
— W. H. Auden (1907-1973)
As of today's date, we've survived
the absence of sports; schools and uni-
versities offering only remote or off-
campus instruction; the loss of sum-
mer vacations because nothing was
open; an untold number of merchants
— some small mom and pops and some
legacy brands — close their doors for-
ever; and one of the strangest politi-
cal campaigns on record and two political nominating conventions.
Labor Day always has been seen as the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of fall. Amazing how quickly the seasons, months, weeks and days seem to fall away without creating any memories — except bad ones — when we've been “locked down” by governors and public officials who seem to know even less than we do when it comes to this COVID-19 virus. Along with regards to Gavin Newsom, we also should thank everyone's “expert”, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who seems to change his mind at least twice a day expecting us to continue to believe everything he says.
One day, masks are absolutely useless, the next day they've been declared mandatory. The construction of that face covering can be anything from a rag tied around one's face to surgically qualified masks. With such loosely-established parameters, it has to leave one wondering about the viability of such an order. A whole new fashion industry has sprung up around those masks and many feel they need to make a fashion statement through their mask wardrobe! In the meantime, family- owned small businesses are being forced to shutter their doors — all of this on the questionable information be- ing provided by so-called experts. Newest CDC figures indicate that 94 percent of deaths termed COVID-caused occurred to people with pre-existing conditions!
Originally, everyone was instructed to stay inside their homes; now it's better when things are done out- side. I won't even take the time to question the research that went into establishing social distancing. I'm sure that on some level it is beneficial, but the 6-feet rule seems to be arbitrary and capricious.
I haven't seen any studies which deal with masking or distancing! Washing one's hands regularly is a recommen- dation that has been around ever since I was a child, and that's a long time so I accept that as having been proved.
We are facing a situation where, after almost six months of being closed, the economic well-being of America has seriously been damaged along with men- tal psyche and physical health conditions that are going unaddressed.
America is a country that has one of the greatest work ethics in the world; therefore we set aside the first Mon- day in September to pay homage to all those who keep the engines of commerce humming right along. These are the very hard-working people we find suffering the most in terms of lost jobs and businesses being shut down over something they have no control. This is one of those times, in my opinion, that we would be best served by telling government to get the hell out of the way. We don't need handouts from these little bureaucrats, we just need our jobs and roaring economy back. Government hand- outs are the first step toward socialism.
Sadly, I just heard a press conference featuring our governor saying there would never be a return to pre- pandemic lifestyle. We believe that, even in California, we will tolerate something as egregiously managed as the coronavirus for only so long.
We offer a salute and a tip of the hat to Immanuel Schools for standing up to the biggest bully in the room and fighting for their Constitutional rights, as well as their stu- dents, by opening the schools. It's about time that someone was concerned about those who continue to be hurt over state management of something that can't be managed.
Just remember, that's only one man's opinion.
Enjoy the long weekend, and have a pleasant Labor Day holiday!
By Fran Martens Friesen
Guest columnist
I, a Mennonite with strong roots in the Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren churches, am grieved to see Immanuel High School’s decision to meet face to face this fall amidst a raging pandemic. I want the public to know that not all Mennonites/MB’s agree with this decision. In fact, many of us are dismayed by it. Let me give more context and explain why I feel I can speak to this matter:
My grandfather, J.N.C. Hiebert, was the very first principal of Immanuel High School, a man with high integ- rity as well as care and com- passion for those around him. He was instrumental in get- ting this school off the ground in 1943, in securing initial ac- creditation and in moving the school to its present location. I am proud of his work lay- ing the groundwork for a fine Christian school. My father was a dedicated church leader in the M.B. Church and at one time president of the M.B. Bib- lical Seminary (now the Fres- no Pacific Biblical Seminary). Although both of them are no longer living, I am confident that both of them would have opposed this opening, for rea- sons which I will explain in a moment. In addition, my hus- band graduated from Immanu- el High School and was the stu- dent body president his senior year. He is strongly against Immanuel opening. There are other graduates of IHS, for- mer parents of IHS students, as well as former faculty of IHS who also disagree with Im- manuel’s decision.
The school is arguing that, “Preventing schools from teaching students on campus is detrimental to students’ aca- demic, physical, emotional, and spiritual development.” But the decision to open a school to face-to-face instruction is putting the larger community at risk of COVID-19 spread. Such a risk to other people in the community flies in the face of the Mennonite’s belief in biblical teaching about car- ing for others, particularly the most vulnerable. Jesus’s words are paramount here: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Mat- thew 25: 40).
If the young people, teach- ers or staff get exposed and take this out in the commu- nity, those who are more frag- ile, elderly, or struggling with crowded housing conditions (often people of color) will suf- fer most. Furthermore, the Mennonite’s belief in the val- ue of community means that we care about others at least as much as ourselves. To put the needs (education) of those in the Immanuel community above those in the larger Reed- ley and Fresno communities (the rest of whom have reluc- tantly but prudently moved to temporary online education), is not the Mennonite way.
While Immanuel might feel it is their “religious freedom” to conduct school, this decision has little to do with religion or freedom. Freedom must be act- ed on in the context of respon- sible community behavior and the act of Immanuel disregard- ing the health and safety proto- cols of local, state, and federal officials puts a stain on the rep-
utation of Chris-
tians generally
and of the real
meaning of
freedom. There
is no state man-
date saying Im-
manuel cannot
operate because
it is a Christian
school but rather that we all need to creatively educate in the present situation to prevent the death of additional innocent people.
As good as Christian edu- cation is, or any education for that matter, it is not something that we pursue at the cost of the health and safety of those most vulnerable in our soci- ety. To defy that order is like declaring the ‘freedom’ to not wear a mask: a misplaced free- dom that elevates individual rights far above society’s right to have a reasonable assurance of health and safety for all. In addition, the school’s deci- sion to blatantly defy the law is teaching some very inap- propriate lessons to the young who attend there — that we can disobey the law whenever we disagree with it. That is a dan- gerous precedent.
My hope and prayer is that the great legacy of Immanuel which has produced so many wonderful leaders, teachers, pastors and more will not be defined by this contentious moment but the ideals of love and compassion for ALL God’s people — the way my grand- father and father would have intended it to be.
Fran Martens Friesen is a Fresno resident and teacher of literature and composition. Her mother and husband both grew up in Reedley.
Fred Hall
Fran Martens Friesen
River City Theatre Company thanks city, customers
The Reedley River City Theatre Company board of di- rectors would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the city of Reedley council mem- bers and City staff that made the decision to waive the rent
at the Opera House for the rest of the year. The city continues to be wonderful landlords; in particular, Sarah Reid is al- ways available and very open to ideas to help keep the arts alive in Reedley.
We also would like to thank our loyal patrons and season ticket holders for being willing
to work with us on delaying their tickets until we can have another season. We all look for- ward to better times when we can again say “The Show Must Go On!”
Thank you.
Reedley River City Theatre Company Board of Directors
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