NC has flattened the curve, has enough hospital beds. It should be in Phase 1 by now.

NC should be in Phase 1 now

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina has about 21,891 hospital beds, with about 30% occupied. With the flattened statistical curves Dr. Mandy Cohen presented on Thursday, the governor’s decision to extend the stay-at-home order is very unfortunate. We should be headed into Phase 1 now.

Mark Linch, Charlotte

Protesters must be responsible citizens

Protesters want to “open America.” They shout that restrictions violate their constitutional rights. But they’re ignoring valid medical data and dangers created by failing to respond responsibly.

The restrictions are a bummer, but COVID-19 can be deadly and the second wave is coming. The right to freely go out does not trump the right of others to avoid COVID-19. The protesters should act as responsible citizens. I miss my grandchildren and they miss me, but I have “manned up” and accepted restrictions. They should as well.

Richard D. Sorensen, Charlotte

Atrium isn’t asking too much of nurses

Regarding “Atrium Health reduces nurses’ hours amid coronavirus crisis,” (April 23):

I am a registered nurse with Atrium Health. Asking a nurse to work fewer hours in their assigned unit when the census there is low, or to work in an area that needs help is not unreasonable. Atrium is making critical plans for “worst case scenario” in the months ahead. It is assisting employees with childcare compensation, increased mental health access, and has an employee financial assistance plan.

The hospital is not without sufficient qualified staff. Nurses are available and ready to go where needed. The hardships from this pandemic in lost wages and employment are being felt by many, and sadly health care workers are among them.

Marcella McIntyre-Withrow, Charlotte

Now’s the time to expand Medicaid

The N.C. General Assembly will gavel in April 28 for what is likely to be a fast short session to address pandemic-related policy measures. At the top of the list of priorities should be expanding Medicaid. Given the significant number of North Carolinians who are now unemployed and find themselves in the gap, the only moral option is to expand Medicaid. Expansion would be a massive boost for our economy and bring desperately needed federal dollars to our state. The time for it is now.

Cameron Joyce, Charlotte

Duke Engery will keep trying to help

The writer is N.C. president of Duke Energy.

As COVID-19 takes a toll on our state, I’m encouraged by the resolve of North Carolinians and humbled by the selfless acts of those on the front lines.

At Duke Energy, we feel a heightened sense of urgency because our service is critical to hospitals, essential businesses and homes. We continue to respond to power outages and we’re asking our critical workers to maintain safe distances and use enhanced protective gear as they follow CDC guidance. We’ve taken steps to relieve the financial burden on customers. In mid-March, we stopped service disconnections for unpaid bills and waived fees for late payments and returned payments. This is an unprecedented time and we’ll continue to support our customers and communities as the crisis unfolds.

Stephen De May, Raleigh

Fauci , Birx should resign in protest

The White House daily briefing has gone well beyond farce to being frankly dangerous. Injecting disinfectants and shining light inside the body to kill the virus! Assertions that the virus will no longer be extant in the fall! These are delusional ideas from President Trump that aren’t just contrary to what medical experts say, but threaten our lives. Drs. Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci should resign to show how ridiculous this daily circus act has become. They should not lend any professional credibility to these fallacies. Networks should stop live coverage of this charade.

Dr. Joel Miller, Hickory

Anxiously awaiting an end to this

We never asked to be put on this roller coaster but now that we’re here, how and when do we get off? If we get off too soon a second wave of COVID-19 could be even more devastating than the first. If we wait too long to open our economy there may little to come home to. For perspective I recall my days as a waiter in the Catskill Mountains. Sometimes serving my guests was grueling, making me want to quit. But my maître d’ would always say: Hang in there kid because every meal eventually comes to an end. I sure hope that is true because am I ever ready for dessert.

Barry Marshall, Charlotte