Former NC governor: Partisan debate over reopening is just democracy at work

On reopening, I see democracy in action

The partisan debate over “reopening” the economy is just democracy at work.

Republicans raised valid concerns for job losses if businesses fail. Democrats objected that this concern for business would endanger more lives. Republicans demanded economic restoration before it’s too late. Democrats expressed valid fears that COVID-19 would rebound, and overwhelm health care capacity.

Both were right. We must protect our health care system, but need a healthy economy to pay for it.

Now we see red states moving faster to reopen, with most blue states only slightly behind. Democrats insist reopening must be done in phases, with insistence on testing, spacing and masks, with most Republicans following suit. Each side effectively pressed the other to “do the right thing the right way.” Good for them.

Jim Martin, Mooresville

NC Governor 1985-93

I blame GOP for unemployment mess

I am very thankful to the Observer for running the May 6 op-ed by Gene Nichol concerning the sad state of affairs that the extremist-led GOP has gotten North Carolina’s unemployment situation into. I am a construction worker who gets laid off sometimes between projects, so this has affected me long before COVID-19. It bears pointing out that the state itself does not fund unemployment insurance. The money comes from fees levied on employers.

Unemployment is not a handout from the state as Sen. Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore would have you believe. I sincerely hope that voters with or without a job will remember this in November.

Eric S. Waugh, Charlotte

No shirt, no shoes, no mask? No service.

Protests to reopen businesses. Protests against masks and social-distancing. Protests because “I want to do as I want,” and “You can’t make me cooperate.” We’d all like to get our lives back to normal, but it’s going to take time and cooperation from everyone for this to happen.

Put your self-centered inner self aside and think of others.

Our community leaders should mandate that all customers have to wear a mask at all times. Have an employee at the door ready to hand a customer a mask when he/she enters. If the customer refuses, then refuse entrance. Simple as that.

Sheila W. Evans, Charlotte

On virus, fringe should not rule

What kind of citizen considers it offensive, inconvenient or even “un-American” to wear a mask in public spaces to protect themselves, their families, neighbors, or a stranger in line at the store?

If simple measures like mask-wearing, distancing and hand-washing protect life, why are we allowing any deviation? It’s time for the vast majority to impose their will to protect the health, safety and longevity of our society. Coronavirus deniers and defiers make headlines and media ops, but they’re a faint fringe.

Lee Fluke, Charlotte

This would give CMS a stronger start

The writer is a CMS substitute teacher.

CMS should resume in-person classes on July 17, a month before the scheduled school opening. This one-month session would be to review online material taught during the coronavirus outbreak.

Split the day in half by dividing the students alphabetically, with a.m. sessions and p.m. sessions With classes at half-size, there would be sufficient room to have desks six feet apart. Masks would be mandatory.

Teachers, assistants and all staff would work the entire day, with instruction repeated for both sessions. All hall traffic and class changing would be supervised to enforce social distancing. Temperatures would taken before entry is permitted.

Once this one-month session is completed, students would be moved up a grade on Aug. 17.

Michael Lieberman, Charlotte

City must move faster on yard waste

It is inexcusable for the City of Charlotte to allow yard waste to accumulate to the point of being a driving and health hazard. If the city cannot handle the load fast enough, hire private contractors to do the job. Clean it up now!

Ed Carlson, Charlotte

A bit of meat rationing humor

If we ration meat, you know what that means... Shortly there will be a black market for meat. Police will be chasing ham hock smugglers. There will be lamb chop dealers on street corners, and at midnight behind the old Anderson’s restaurant a guy named Sal will meet you and sell you a cow for cash.

Ted Holland, Cornelius