Small businesses like mine aren’t getting the federal help they need

Businesses like mine aren’t getting help

As an owner of a small business that was required to close 80% of our business, it angers me to see that some of the businesses that got huge payouts from the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program are large corporations, like major hotel chains and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Ruth’s Chris got $20 million!

That money was supposed to help true small business owners. How many small businesses like mine would that money have helped?

I would love to reopen my business to customers as quickly as possible, but I also know the threat of COVID-19 is still out there. It seems small business owners like me have been screwed by the government when we truly need help.

Neil Gimon, Waxhaw

Smith is acting in his own self-interest

Regarding “We need to get back to work in North Carolina,” (April 19 Opinion):

Kenny Smith begins his op-ed by responsibly acknowledging that “re-opening” North Carolina should be prudently data- and analysis-driven. Yet, he ends by irresponsibly declaring May 15 should be the date - a subjectively chosen date that seems to be in his self-interest. Touting his own intentions to act responsibly, Smith ignores that, unrestricted, a large segment of the population will not act responsibly. Perhaps he missed the photographs of thousands of people crowding a Florida beach when it reopened Friday.

John Northey, Charlotte

Missing: federal leadership on testing

I fully agree with Kenny Smith. The point not discussed is why we don’t have federal leadership willing to put in place testing of our families, friends, employees, and places were we shop and socialize. This should be priority No. 1 for the nation, and then we can open up and get back to our lives. We should have national leadership driving this across the country, working hand-in-hand with state and local leadership teams. If we don’t put testing in place now, this will be a problem for many more months, and then it will be too late.

Daryl Solomonson, Troutman

Reopen NC before it’s too late

Unfortunately, we are reaching a point where the cure (the lockdown) is becoming worse than the disease itself. The economic cost and emotional toll are becoming too great for Americans to continue to endure. Economic catastrophe is knocking at the door. It’s time to begin planning to re-open North Carolina based on the guidelines the Trump administration announced on April 16.

Craig A. Reutlinger, Charlotte

Trump has one agenda: re-election

I have little to no faith in President Trump. He is pushing to reopen the economy too quickly.

His nightly campaign rallies are disguised as news conferences. The federal government’s testing proposal isn’t strong enough. We need to be tested before we are symptomatic and tracked. The government is downplaying the importance of these critical components.

I urge Gov. Roy Cooper to continue putting health before the economy. The president has one agenda: his re-election.

Claudia Abbott, Charlotte

Taiwan acted swiftly, but the US did not

Regarding “Taiwan shows antidote to virus is freedom,” (April 19 Opinion):

Marc Thiessen’s column comparing the COVID-19 responses of Communist China to Taiwan’s was excellent, but reflected his bias.

Taiwan acted swiftly and decisively. Trump dawdled inexcusably for months and continues to be impulsive and erratic.

Taiwan communicated transparently and accurately, led by a qualified epidemiologist. Trump - always dominating the microphone and forever tweeting - has communicated inaccurately, untruthfully, speculatively and irresponsibly.

Taiwan acted nationally, mobilizing critical supplies and enrolling the military. Trump at times abdicated federal responsibility and leadership, leaving it to the states, which he then attacked and blamed selectively.

Ellen Petticrew, Charlotte

Streams are cleaner, but you can still help

The writer is a Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District board member.

As people take advantage of nature’s beauty around us, please note that streams are clearer, with fewer pollutants and litter changing the natural aspect of the water. We see less sediment as well, usually due to construction and increasing hard surfaces, which create runoff.

How about taking some of your extra moments to seed flowers, plant shrubs and seedlings along the creeksides in honor of Earth Week and especially honoring those who cannot be outside with us due to the demands made upon them at this time?

Nancy Carter, Charlotte

This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 4:15 PM.