Armed With Facts, Not Weapons

To the Editor:

I would like to express my profound disappointment in the discussions in favor of implementing deer culls in Newtown as an attempt to decrease the instances of Lyme disease.

I know many people affected by Lyme disease, and as someone who has lived with multiple forms of chronic pain for more than 25 years, I am truly sympathetic of the cost, inconvenience, discomfort and (in many cases) major suffering it can cause. I cannot, however, lend my support to any activity that is based on fear and ignorance, steeped in cruelty, and which offers no guarantee of effective reduction of Lyme disease.

Public health issues are complex. Particularly one like Lyme disease, where there are conflicting views among the scientists and experts on the best strategies for managing Lyme disease (most happen to agree, however, on the importance of public education and awareness of tick-bite prevention).

Few of us “nonexperts” may ever fully understand all of the complexities associated with Lyme disease. But that is no excuse for us to embrace the panic that has arisen over Lyme disease without first doing a bit of self-educating.

The fact is that in areas of diverse wildlife (such as Newtown), there is no guarantee that reducing the deer population will reduce the tick population and eventually the spread of Lyme disease.

Rick Ostfeld, an animal ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y., said that studies on the institute’s 2,000-acre preserve over 16 years have shown no correlation between ticks and deer populations. He said studies that do show such reductions are invariably conducted in isolated areas such as islands or on partially sequestered properties such as peninsulas or fenced communities.

Only bad things can result from decisions based on fear and ignorance. If Newtown’s goal is to safeguard its residents then educate them — give them the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Be responsible. Arm yourselves with the facts, not with weapons!

Jennifer Ingrao

27 Bear Hills Road, Newtown                               December 10, 2008