Letters: Meeting needs of mothers helps care for children

"If diapers are a basic human right, that same logic applies to menstrual products. For many low-income mothers in the East Bay, the "period poverty" they experience is directly tied to the "diaper gap" their children face. Both are non-negotiable biological needs. Yet, neither diapers nor pads can be purchased with SNAP/WIC."

"A mother cannot support her child's learning or maintain her own life if she is sidelined by a lack of her own basic sanitary supplies. We must advocate for policies that provide free menstrual products in all public restrooms, schools and shelters; and we must push for permanent, publicly funded diaper banks."

"An automated license plate reader made by Flock Safety had flagged my vehicle as being connected to a crime. The problem was simple: my rear license plate had been stolen and placed on another vehicle. Because that plate triggered the alert, my car became the target of a high-risk stop."

"Technology can help solve crimes, but cities must also protect innocent drivers from the consequences of mistakes."

Low-income mothers face interconnected crises of period poverty and the diaper gap, both critical biological needs that cannot be purchased with SNAP/WIC benefits. Mothers lacking menstrual products cannot adequately support their children's learning or maintain their own wellbeing. Policies must provide free menstrual products in public spaces and establish permanent, publicly funded diaper banks. Additionally, automated license plate reader technology creates dangerous consequences for innocent drivers when errors occur, such as stolen plates being misidentified. While technology aids crime-solving, cities must implement safeguards protecting innocent people from high-risk police stops resulting from technological mistakes.

Read at The Mercury News