I enjoy reading the Tribune when we receive it biweekly. I like to stay connected to our community, and I find the Tribune does a very nice job of keeping me up to date and in the know.

The Sept. 6  Trib’s editorial page said: “Not very cool – Thumbs down to people who run their air conditioning around the clock, even at this time of year.  Try opening a window.” This struck a chord with me as being short-sighted.

Fall is a difficult time of year for many with hayfever and seasonal allergy sufferers. I am one of those affected individuals. Being outdoors or opening a window leaves me sneezing repeatedly and having difficulty catching my breath – it’s hard to function in that manner.

I am lucky enough to enjoy a home that has the luxury of air conditioning. I should be able to use it to suit my specific family needs, rather than being judged as being too lazy and wasteful to open a window.

I would love to open the window for fresh air and often do so when the air is more friendly and less filled with allergens. It’s also much more pleasant to have the windows closed to moderate a few of our neighbours’ ridiculously loud motorcycles as they accelerate down the street.

I can guarantee that this noise pollution would wake my two-year-old from her nap in an instant if her window were open.

I also had a baby three weeks ago and have been trying to navigate hormonal shifts that leave me with sweats through the night and an inability to take many of the recommended medications to alleviate the sneezing, headaches, sinus pain, runny nose, etc. that accompany seasonal allergies. While I’m certain that my situation is likely a very small minority of the “offenders” you’ve identified, I would be curious to know just how many households have actually committed said ‘uncoolness’– especially knowing that there is a significant cost to this choice.

April Dickin
Guelph