I, like many viewers, listened intently as Arlington Rural Fire Chief Travis Hots held the news conference Friday morning. As he has done every day since this disaster occurred, he shared information and gave updates he had received to provide as of that time.
Imagine my shock and disbelief when some male newsperson basically chastised Fire Chief Hots for not providing an updated number of fatalities from this disaster. Sounding like a petulant child, this man said to Mr. Hots, “You said you would provide that information to us this morning.” To that person I ask: What part of “I don’t have that information at this time” couldn’t you understand?
It has been made abundantly clear not only by Mr. Hots, but others talking at the news conferences, that information will be forthcoming as they have it to be shared. To that male newsperson I ask — how did not getting that information this morning make or break your day?
Please, please, please, let us all be respectful to those responders trying to deal with the grim task at hand. I can’t even begin to fathom what those families and responders are going through, but I am praying for them every day.
I’m sure there are many people who remember Connie Chung — national TV journalist, wife of Maury Povich. She was fired for asking stupid and insensitive questions to family members of a fatal tornado years ago. Perhaps the media company this male newsperson works for should consider doing the same thing.
To all responders, the residents of Oso, and everyone who is impacted by this devastating disaster, please know that you are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.
Myrna Spoon
Lake Stevens
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