Letters to the Editor

April 21, 2025 – Letters To the Editor, Sarasota Herald-Tribune about the value of libraries:

During the month that celebrates the incredible value of free and open libraries, I’m reminded that public education and libraries are the great equalizers in our society. And that they are intertwined. Excelling for almost 200 years, public libraries have earned the right to be passionately supported. Magical learning zones for our kids and grandkids, they have the power to help children read, think, and hope better.

So, why are public libraries under attack both at the state and national levels!? And why is the agency that distributes congressionally-approved funds to state libraries and to public libraries, museums and archives being cast as a worthless culprit by this political administration? Defunding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and underfunding libraries would be deeply harmful to our counties, and to countless USA communities. 

The numbers speak loudly: in Florida, over 43 million library visits happen annually! IMLS financial support is a necessary boost. Our libraries deserve to be cherished – not carelessly maligned!

David Brostrom, submitted 4-21-2025

November 4, 2024 – Letter to the Editor, Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 

“Putting people at risk is not something a surgeon general should be good at. But ours is, with his recent damaging, anti-booster shot advice regarding the newest COVID-19 vaccine. This advice places politics before people and touts anti-science propaganda.  

The CDC concurs; “The misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine safety has caused some Americans to avoid getting vaccines and led to unnecessary death, severe illness and hospitalization,” said the Centers for Disease Control in 2023, in a letter to Dr. Ladapo. 

Florida’s population is huge (23,002,597 in July 2024). Our state represents 7% of the total US population (333,300,000 in the last census). Also, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of total US COVID deaths recently stood at 1,219,487. Florida accounts for more than 97,000 of those deaths. That means that 8% of the total deaths in this country happened in Florida. 

The 1% difference in our total COVID-19 fatalities versus total US population is hugely significant. Especially to Florida family members whose loved ones lost their battle with Covid.  

Bottom line is the extra 1% of deaths represents thousands of Floridians who succumbed to the disease and may continue to – people who just happened to live and die in a state where speculative professional guidance from Florida’s top doctor runs counter to proven historical and scientific evidence – that vaccines save lives, both in the past and present.” 

David Brostrom, submitted 11-4-2024