After all of President Trump’s lies, I don’t trust him on coronavirus

Hard to trust Trump on coronavirus

Americans need to be able to believe that communications from their commander-in-chief can be trusted — at all times. They especially need to be able to trust communications from that person in times of crisis.

Given documented proof of the distant relationship the current president has with truth, how comfortable can Americans be with information coming from that office regarding coronavirus and readiness to contain an outbreak? Who, based on conflicting information from the highest level, feels informed and armed with vital truth about what to prepare for or expect.

Enough with narcissistic remarks about re-election and the stock market. There is much more at stake here.

Renard Burris, Charlotte

Is city prepared for August influx?

I am glad “NC and Charlotte officials say coronavirus risk is low,” as this Feb. 28 article said, but I have questions: Is Charlotte prepared for the influx of 50,000 visitors from around the world and the U.S. in August for the 2020 Republican convention? Are medical personnel and facilities prepared to care for ill visitors? How will city residents providing services in restaurants and hotels be tested, cared for, quarantined? As schools return to session in late August, how are they preparing for the possibility of coronavirus?

I have no desire to create panic, only to make sure Charlotte is prepared. These are just a few of my questions and as planning occurs I urge the city to share those plans with residents.

Rebekah Baker, Charlotte

CMS is reassessing, and that’s OK

Regarding “CMS scales back three planned high schools,” (Feb. 26):

Every planner depends on assumptions. When current reality varies from past planned assumptions, you should expect to have to make adjustments.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is currently making those adjustments for the planned future high schools which require more future assumptions. Continually monitor the assumptions to avoid surprises.

Tom E. Bowers, Charlotte

Student debt isn’t taxpayers’ problem

Regarding “How the US should fix student loan debt,” (Feb. 28 Forum):

The answer to the student debt question is very simple. The government should stay out of this debacle. Students should be expected to pay for their own education. There are numerous educational assistance programs in place to assist students who qualify. Today there are parents who take advantage of federal educational programs, holding out a “give me” palm when they have the means to pay. What has happened to accountability, the first thing all of us should learn as a child?

Frank Harrington, Charlotte

Need a grand plan to fix student loan debt

The Forum writer suggests using money spent on teen drug prevention education and Trump’s party, which totals about $2 billion, to help reduce $1.5 trillion in student loans. That’s the same as paying 13 cents on a $10,000 debt.

While Sen. Everett Dirksen said “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon, you’re talking real money,” he didn’t envision a trillion. Student debt is not reduced in $1 billion increments. We cannot deal with these trillion dollar ideas/debts with billion dollar plans.

Dale W. Saville, Charlotte

Wrong response on Putin’s dirty work

Is anyone else out there as terrified as I am about the latest Trump paranoia?

A senior U.S. Intelligence official notified members of Congress that the Russians are doing their dirty work again to see that Donald Trump gets re-elected and Bernie Sanders is being helped as well because the Russians think he is the easiest Democrat to defeat. And all the president can do is rage and claim it is a hoax designed to help the Democrats? And he fires the Intelligence director.

He says not a word about this being interference in our elections or that it’s more of his friend Putin’s dirty work.

Shannon Mitchell, Charlotte

With Sanders, history will repeat

The recent Democratic caucuses brought to mind the Eugene O’Neill play “Mourning Becomes Electra.” The title could be applied to the 2020 election: “Mourning Becomes America.”

All of us who support the rule of law - moderates, independents and Republicans - are mourning the loss of our democracy, the Constitutional republic, and the possible re-election of Donald Trump, which is being made possible by Democrats who will not accept that the only chance to beat Trump is with a moderate who will unite the country.

To me, Bernie Sanders is a lost cause. History will repeating itself, like Nixon vs. McGovern and Reagan vs. Mondale.

Marita Lentz, Charlotte