Health problems other than the virus

Pandemics without plants?

“Push into Future” noted COVID-19-related evolution beyond office space (“Is the corona virus pushing us into the future?” Golden Dreams, March 28). As a personal trainer sitting is known to promote physical dysfunction and disease. Stress, inactivity, and indoor air quality also degenerate health. Resulting complications (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) compound with issues like coronavirus increasing mortality. The coronavirus discussion should include diet. On YouTube, Dr. Michael Greger’s 2008 “Pandemic Prevention” lecture prophesized our situation recognizing factory farms pro-pandemic nature. Wet markets, multi-species infectious disease extravaganzas, feature animals unnaturally close in hellish conditions reliant on antibiotics to survive until slaughter. Human coronaviruses were discovered in chickens and common cold human patients. The WHO notes livestock uses 80% antibiotics, promoting superbugs. Pandemics loom without a plant-based future. Hunger, malnutrition, water pollution, oceanic dead zones, deforestation, and disease will persist. The World Watch Institute revealed 51% of greenhouse gases originate from livestock. Watch the documentaries Cowspiracy (livestock’s environmental threat) and What the Health (eating animal products). Both are on Netflix. Dr. Greger’s book How Not to Die (on Audible) illustrates how whole food, plant-based diet thwarts preventable common causes of death. Nature is teaching us a lesson. Will we learn or struggle to survive perpetually? Preserving livestock industries may preserve our fate.

• Jason Robo
• Ramona

No walking distance

In the name of social distancing, please reopen the parks (“’I’ve contracted the Coronavirus’ says San Diego guitarist Drew Andrews,” Blurt Music News, March 29). Those are the only places we can walk without coming within six feet of another person. All that is left are sidewalks, and if someone is coming from the opposite direction, we are out of luck. There is a limited amount of space to walk in the city and by closing much of that area, the density of people in the remaining area is greatly increased. Let’s spread logic and common sense, not COVID19.

• John Walker
• City heights

Dangerously close cops

The police academy recently closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the police cadets are now posted at parks and beaches to enforce social distancing (“COVID-19 screening lapses plagued San Diego veterans’ care,” News Ticker, April 3). Today five cadets were conversing in a tight group at Mission Bay Park. I went to contact their supervisor, but he was standing close by two cadets. If the cadets were spaced apart at parks and beaches to encourage social distancing and permit exercise all would be healthier, especially the police cadets.

• Michael Ziegler M.D.
• San Diego