I’m struggling to understand the seriousness of this issue. I do consider the ill impacts of plastic straws a serious issue. But I wonder at the effort and thought now being put into finding alternatives.

Are straws a basic human need? Have we lost the capacity and motivation to lift a glass to our lips? I realize this is true for a small fraction of our population, due to health reasons. But for the general population? For years, I’ve been foregoing straws when dining out — refusing them when offered, returning when given, expressing my view that they are wasteful and unneeded.

I now contemplate wearing a sign reading “Please! No straw, no paper napkin, no plastic utensils or dishware.” Perhaps I’ll begin with just the straw to not create too much discombobulation.