The Chicago Tribune VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (LETTER)

below is what they published but they edited out "My objection is not to humane methods of removing mice, but to the belief that these rodents are harmless." which is, in essence, my point!! the media, cannot trust them!

This is in response to the letters to the editor regarding "Mouse wars: The sequel" (Tempo, Jan. 2).

To those readers who suggest that mice are harmless and that we should live in harmony with them, I have one word: hantavirus.

Not only do deer mice carry this deadly syndrome, but all wild rodents should be avoided.

Why?

Because humans who contract hantavirus end up with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a syndrome that kills half of the 150,000-200,000 people it strikes each year in the United States. For those who get ARDS after hantavirus, the mortality rate is even higher, estimated to be as high as 77 percent.

Hantavirus is spread to people through breathing in dust from an infected rodent’s urine, saliva or droppings; or through handling these rodent excretions and then touching your mouth or nose; or by rodent bites.

Remember when we once thought all birds were pretty harmless too?

What I Wrote:

In response to the letters from January 9, 2006, Voice of the People regarding your "Mouse Wars" article, to those writers who suggest that 'mice are harmless' and that we should 'live in harmony' with them, I have one word: Hantavirus.

Not only do deer mice carry this deadly syndrome, but all wild rodents should be avoided. Why? Because humans who contract Hantavirus end up with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a syndrome that kills half of the 150,000-200,000 people it strikes each year in the United States. Those who get ARDS after Hantavirus ... the mortality rate is even higher, estimated to be as high as 77%.

Hantavirus is spread to people through breathing in dust from an infected rodent's urine, saliva or droppings. Or through handling these rodent excretions and then touching your mouth or nose. Or by rodent bite.

My objection is not to humane methods of removing mice, but to the belief that these rodents are harmless. Remember when we once thought all birds were pretty harmless, too?