Must we all live in fear of mosquitos?

Another letter dealing with the fear of disease-bearing mosquitoes and detention ponds. I can’t stand it any more. I must have my say in defense of the mosquito.

There are close to 220 million people in this country and the 1,295 reported cases of West Nile virus are a very small drop in the ocean. Only 54 deaths have been recorded in this country from this virus, which is again a very small number. I would agree that any death is tragic, and not to be made light of; but death is a part of life that we all must accept. I have suffered the loss of loved ones and friends and some of those were killed in tragic accidents. I believe it was William O. Douglas, who served on the Supreme Court, who once said, “When a man knows how to live dangerously, he is not afraid to die. When a man is not afraid to die, he is strangely, free to live.”

I refuse to live my life in fear or be enslaved by fear of mosquitoes and a rare disease. It would make more sense to fear motor vehicles that kill over 40,000 people each year. Enough said; I would rather die a free man, than live my life enslaved by fear.

Gold Bar

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