Health analysis clarifies thinking

To The Eagle:

The amazing facts and figures in the county health analysis on last week's front page sure did clarify my thinking.

I thought that our slightly high incidence of coronary disease and stuff was because half of us are over 60, but now I find out it's because of low intake of spinach and rutabagas. The fact that such produce is not available must also come as a reall shock to the folks who run the wonderful produce department at Cathlamet Market and our world class farmers market on Puget Island.

I was also under the misapprehension that stores not being in walking distance was a desirable part of rural life. What is in walking distance for most of us is our own vegetable gardens, which we generally share with our neighbors.

I hadn't noticed a lot of kids smoking on the street corners, either, but that's probably due to a shortage of street corners rather than child smokers. What's not surprising is that the solution to all these overwhelming problems is more funding for Health Department programs, meaning more and higher taxes. Now there's a great idea! Where do I sign up?

Judy Brawn

Puget Island