Now is the time to stand behind President Trump. Put politics aside.

Now’s the time to stand behind Trump

The daily parade of letters from writers expressing their disdain for President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis sickens me. Right now, an evaluation of how he handles/handled the pandemic is merely opinion. Only at some point in the future when we look back at how it was done, will we be able to make an accurate assessment. This is the greatest crisis I’ve seen in 67 years. Now is the time for standing behind our president instead of exploiting the situation to voice political bias.

Dan Houston, York, S.C.

Gaston’s decision could be deadly

Regarding “A comical, cowardly stay-at-home ‘defiance,’” (April 30 Editorial) and related articles:

The Gaston County board announced it will support businesses that want to reopen based on the low number of coronavirus and the availability of hospital beds. The board forgot a very important area, the number of extra coffins needed.

Gerald Hendricks, Creedmoor

More needed for small businesses

Regarding “Funding options available to help Charlotte small businesses,” (April 29):

By feverishly defending the $110 million billionaire soccer subsidy while only offering a paltry $1 million in loans to small business owners, Charlotte’s elected officials have added insult to pandemic injury - even if the money comes from two different revenue streams.

No wonder Charlotte still finds itself anchored at the bottom of the economic mobility scale. Consider socially distancing yourself from them the next time you exercise your franchise. I know I will.

Jason Huber, Charlotte

Let race fans take the risk

Regarding “NC governor thinks NASCAR will be able to run the Coca-Cola 600 despite coronavirus,” (April 28):

Let the people decide. Run the World 600 in May. Sell tickets for $50 each with open seating. Gates open at 8 a.m.

Social distancing or not, the people can decide.

Paul Lay, Mint Hill

God-given rights? Protesters are wrong

Regarding “Protesters for and against social restrictions gather” (April 29):

Yes, folks have the Constitutional right to protest North Carolina’s stay-at-home order, but the “God-given rights” that some of the protesters claimed seemed quite un-God-like.

Heckling health care workers (our heroes) who were counter-protesting by saying, “We’ll eat the health care workers when we run out of food” doesn’t sound like a right God would give, nor does calling the police “little piggies.” And talking about “hanging traitors” certainly doesn’t seem to qualify as a God-given right either.

When permitted, some of these protesters would benefit from attending church to learn what God-given rights mean.

Gervase Hitch, Statesville

Low death rate says restrictions work

Some Forum writers keep trying to make the case that the relatively low death rate indicates that the coronavirus restrictions are too harsh. Putting aside the argument of who decides how many deaths are acceptable, a relatively low death rate with restrictions in place only tells us that they are working.

One writer said the restrictions “might be appropriate if the statistics were 100 times worse...” But without any restrictions maybe the statistics would be 100 times worse.

The experts are doing their best to recommend appropriate measures, but we’ve never dealt with something exactly like this before and the information they are working with changes continuously.

Steve Larson, Charlotte

Praise for Gilead’s selfless move

Regarding “’Game changer’ virus drug tested at UNC promising” (April 30):

This is American ingenuity at its finest to have an experimental drug such as remdesivir showing positive results this soon. When Dr. Anthony Fauci gives it praise you can take his integrity to the bank.

American drug companies have produced small miracles for decades, but Gilead Sciences Inc. is selfless. Earlier this month, it donated 1.5 million doses around the globe. That my friend, is social responsibility.

Randall Lemly, Charlotte

Delay graduations, don’t cancel them

Please don’t cancel graduation for the class of 2020. You can have it in July or early August, but don’t take this away from the 2020 high school seniors. You can limit the guests to just parents. This grandma will certainly sacrifice just so that my grand-baby can walk across the stage. Most high school seniors have attended a prom, but there will not be another chance for graduation.

Margie Parker, Charlotte