Clearing Air About 12-Step House

I enjoyed the article headlined “A Fresh Start” (Dec. 21). How wonderful that this home was remodeled to be a safe and secure home for disenfranchised women.

However, the article said the house now has “excellent airflow, which helps prevent the spread of hepatitis.” This is not correct. Perhaps you meant tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease spread by an airborne process. Hepatitis is spread by human secretions, such as feces, blood, sperm, etc. Good hand washing and the use of barrier methods during sexual intercourse and not sharing needles can aid in diminishing the spread of hepatitis.

MARY H. SMITH

Los Angeles

The writer is a nurse practitioner.

Thank you so very much for the article on the Mini 12-Step House. The words were exactly the way I would have put them, and I lived there for six months.

You are right. I didn’t notice the door or floor boards; I just wanted help to get my life on track. And thanks to that house and the grace of God, I now have four years sober.

LARITHA VAUGHN-COOPER

Via e-mail

I enjoyed your article about Mini 12-Step House. Thanks for highlighting a project by and for women. It is so important that architects, developers and contractors study the real needs of the occupants of any building.

It grates me every time I walk through a model home designed by a man who has obviously never lived with a woman or children and certainly hasn’t had to clean anything.

LINDA MOON

Via e-mail