To the Editor:
Re “Just Let People Eat,” by José Andrés, a chef and the founder of World Central Kitchen (Opinion guest essay, April 4):
What a humane, heartfelt and balanced essay by Mr. Andrés after the tragic death of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza.
Now if only the Israeli people will hear his plea and require the government to open more humanitarian aid routes into Gaza. Food is not a weapon of war.
James Berkman
Boston
To the Editor:
José Andrés’s essay deserves to be read by all. He beautifully points out the commonality across religions and cultures of our need for food. He deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his work and for calling on the world to concentrate on the most fundamental human need: nourishment for life itself.
Elena Reyes
Fort Myers, Fla.
The writer is a licensed psychologist.
To the Editor:
Re “Is Biden Willing to Use America’s Leverage With Israel?,” by David E. Sanger and Peter Baker (news analysis, April 4):
President Biden is “outraged and heartbroken” over the deaths of the seven aid workers in Gaza. David Cameron, the British foreign secretary, says Israel must “make major changes to ensure the safety of aid workers.”
That these seven noble people died is a tragedy. But where has Mr. Biden’s newfound vocal outrage been as upward of 13,000 children, according to Gazan health officials, have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military? And Mr. Cameron: What changes, if any, should Israel make to ensure their safety?
There is something essentially wrong when the deaths of seven aid workers instantly precipitate a huge reaction from the governments of the U.S. and U.K., and yet the deaths of thousands of Palestinian children have until recently elicited not much more than a resigned shoulder shrug.
Paul Schwartz
Sparkill, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Re “Strikes by Israel Kill Aid Workers and Draw Outcry” (front page, April 3):
An international “outcry” against what I believe was a targeted killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers is not enough. The failure to date by the international community to take concrete actions against Israel weakens international law.
Why has the international community (with few exceptions) declined to break off relations with Israel or at least withdraw ambassadors? Why have most Western nations not cut off weapons transfers and arms deals and applied sanctions?
It’s time to reassess the value of Israel’s relationship with the U.S. and its allies.
L. Michael Hager
Eastham, Mass.
The writer is co-founder and former director general of the International Development Law Organization, Rome.
New York’s Mental Health Shelters: A Commissioner’s View
To the Editor:
“Suspect in Fatal Subway Shoving Was In and Out of Mental Health Shelters” (news article, March 31) calls attention to issues that New York City has been grappling with for many years.
From Day 1, Mayor Eric Adams’s administration acted with urgency to address long-overlooked crises of mental health and substance use challenges in the city — recognizing the critical role of health care agencies to get the right support for our most vulnerable New Yorkers. As we strengthen complex care coordination and enhance harm reduction across shelters, our efforts are headed in the right direction.
The story recognizes that a shelter is the last resort for those who’ve been failed by every social safety net across communities and levels of government but does not mention the monumental scope of the Department of Homeless Services’s efforts helping stabilize countless households.
The article refers to 50 fatalities over a four-year period. One fatality is too many, but in that time, the agency provided safe and supportive shelter to more than 265,000 individuals.
Against the backdrop of a national increase in overdose deaths, robust overdose prevention efforts helped reverse the majority of suspected overdoses and we saw a 25 percent decrease in fatalities resulting from overdoses in shelters.
While there is surely a lot more work to be done, we will continue to deliver for thousands of households in need, and the Adams administration remains committed to getting our most vulnerable New Yorkers the care they need and deserve.
Molly Wasow Park
New York
The writer is the commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services.
Don’t Miss the Eclipse
To the Editor:
Re “They Can Hear the Sky Go Black” (Science Times, April 2):
It’s not only sight that is affected by a total eclipse. Both blind and sighted people can feel its effects.
As the eclipse progresses the temperature drops noticeably, usually about 10 degrees, sometimes more. If there are birds or other animals around, they will grow silent. Crickets will start their evening song.
If you’re with a group of people, some may scream when the sun blots out. There will be cries of “oh my god, oh my god!” and similar exclamations. You may notice a visceral reaction. Everything else becomes irrelevant. Your breathing becomes shallow.
When the last ray of light winks out you may get a shot of adrenaline, a high that can last 15 or 20 minutes. When it’s over, people will try to explain their feelings to complete strangers. If you have the chance to see this eclipse, don’t miss it.
Christopher Murray
Olympia, Wash.
Trump and the Bible
To the Editor:
Re “Trump, Blasphemous Bible Thumper,” by Maureen Dowd (column, March 31):
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
Johnny Galloway
Williamsburg, Va.
