Letters: A break for the Brown Palace (4/27/20)
A break for the Brown Palace
Re: “Closure of Brown Palace is the first in its long history,” April 8 news story
For all who love the city’s iconic Brown Palace, the news of its closure for the first time in more than 127 years was devastating. It seemed as if the hotel — which had survived the Spanish Flu, two World Wars and the Great Depression — finally had succumbed to the coronavirus crisis.
While it’s sad to see its record as oldest continuously operating hotel in Denver fall, prolonging business and putting at risk guests and workers for the sake of retaining that distinction would have been unconscionable. Locking its doors for the first time since opening day in 1892 was the right thing to do.
But take heart! Despite appearances to the contrary, the Grande Dame of Denver hotels has not succumbed but, rather, has beaten a tactical retreat. This unprecedented downtime is the perfect opportunity for long-overdue repairs to plumbing, heating and electrical systems, as well as the renovation of many meeting and guest rooms.
Here’s hoping that when the Brown Palace reopens, she’ll be all the better for her brief respite and ready to welcome once again local and visiting admirers.
Debra Faulkner, Thornton
Unfair comparison
Re: “Imagine if Republicans had supported Obama’s stimulus,” April 15 commentary
Dickey Lee Hullinghorst is comparing the financial crisis of 2009 to the pandemic we have today. It’s not the same. We are now in a medical crisis. It’s a shame to suggest that the Republicans were to blame for the sluggish recovery. There are some today who think we may have gone too far with the stimulus. Programs such as “cash for clunkers” and “shovel-ready jobs” didn’t pan out.
Nevertheless, this crisis is completely different. People are dying and are out of work through no fault of their own. Congress is doing its best to help all of us. For Ms. Hullinghorst to draw the ridiculous conclusion that if the Republicans had given more support to Obama’s plans, Trump might not have been elected is pure rubbish.
Larry Dorner, Aurora
Mask up!
Recently, I went to King Soopers wearing a face mask. Of course, not everything I wanted was there, but I accept that. What I do not accept is the blasé and uncaring attitude demonstrated by the people who were in the store and not wearing face masks.
Why, I wondered? Wearing masks is a strong recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and a request from our governor. It’s based on the protective factor of everyone wearing a face mask when in public.
I noticed that many of those uncovered faces were relatively young — in their 20s and 30s. But other faces were people in my age range — I’m 71 years old, a member of the higher-risk group.
I wanted to scream at folks, “Why are you not wearing a face mask?” Instead, I chose to thank those who were doing so. Wearing a face mask is something so simple to do, and it’s not only about protecting yourself but protecting others as well. Do people not believe health experts? Do they believe they are invincible? Are they proudly mimicking the president?
Come on, people — no matter your age, your health condition or anything else — you can get COVID-19 and you can be asymptomatic and pass it on to someone else. You want this horrible scenario to be over? Do your part, do your civic duty, wear your mask!
Christine Soto, Denver
Educators going that extra mile (at home)
It has been a crazy time, and every organization, family and person has had to adjust to a new normal.
With all these immense changes, it has become important to ensure that children everywhere are receiving a top tier education, even if they are sitting in their own living room.
The staff at Ryan Elementary has been putting in exceptional work to ensure its students’ lives and education are still being enhanced through the window of their computer.
My mother, instructional coach Julie Malecha, has sat down at her home “office” (kitchen table) and worked overtime hours and weekends to ensure the teachers of the school can communicate with one another and their students, and to make sure her students are learning.
Teachers are investing time and effort into applying their knowledge of online learning to teach their kids in the best way possible. It is amazing to see the care and determination from educators who are always trying to improve the lives of students, parents and everyone around them.
All teachers, principals and anyone in between deserve praise and recognition for their efforts in this difficult time.
Teagan Malecha, Westminster
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