Mandate that Mecklenburg businesses can’t reopen unless they require masks

A more effective solution on masks

Regarding “County wants businesses to require COVID-19 masks,” (May 12):

The wearing of masks is such a reasonable response to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

If Mecklenburg’s county manager wants customers at businesses to wear masks, the solution is not to recommend that business owners implement policies requiring them. The more effective solution is to mandate that to reopen businesses must require customers to wear masks. That mandate would make it a lot easier for business owners to implement the policy.

The beauty of wearing masks in public is that it is the best example of helping each other. Wearing masks could be our war bonds equivalent.

Kenneth Raynor, Charlotte

Why that mask plea fell on deaf ears

I suspect your excellent op-ed on May 10, ”Just wear the stupid mask,” fell on deaf ears. President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” has been replaced.

Many of the new generation demand others do for them - pay my student loans, give me health care, give me a better salary. Evidence you ask? People like AOC getting elected to Congress, people who carelessly endanger others by exceeding speed limits by 15-plus mph, and people who won’t be bothered by social distancing or wearing a mask to protect others because doing so tramples their rights.

Michael E. Weaver, Charlotte

Please wear a mask to protect me

The writer is a retired registered nurse.

What these individuals protesting and not wearing face masks during this pandemic don’t understand is that the masks protect others, not necessary them. One of the scariest things about this virus, is that you can have the virus but be completely symptom free and can give it to someone. Wear the mask to protect me!

Judy Leonard, Davidson

And wear that mask the right way

C’mon, people - if you don’t cover your nose as well as your mouth you might as well not wear a mask at all. Please do it right for all of us. Thanks!

Kay Lane, Charlotte

Op-ed came off as tone-deaf to me

Regarding “Essential workers like me need real protections,” (May 11):

When I read the headline on this “For the Record” column I thought I would read another genuine opinion piece by a doctor, nurse or other health care professional. But no, I read with disappointment the tone-deaf comments of a fully employed delivery driver - a Teamsters member - who believes the U.S. taxpayers should provide him with more pay and benefits when 23 million Americans are unemployed due to this tragic pandemic.

Give me a break. This Teamsters member’s opinions are flabbergasting at this critical time in our country’s history.

Ron Edwards, Charlotte

What Sen. Cruz’s book will really say

The writer is a retired N.C, Superior Court judge.

Regarding “Sen. Ted Cruz writing book on Supreme Court,” (May 12):

Sen. Ted Cruz will use 200-300 pages to tell you this: The United States is run by five people and they were appointed, not elected; they have no term limit, except death; they must have a particular political philosophy to even be considered for the job and then they tell us they have no particular political philosophy.

Those five people .are Supreme Court Justices. You say there are nine justices in all. That is correct but it only takes five to decide a case. Think about this. Now you know why the Democrats and Republicans get so excited when a vacancy occurs. A president can appoint a justice who can serve 30 years or more. We do not have three equal branches of government. We have one Supreme branch.

Bob Burroughs, Charlotte

Dubois was a tremendous asset

Regarding “At end of emotional rollercoaster of a career, UNCC’s Phil Dubois shares touching tribute,” (May 11):

What a wonderful article on UNC Charlotte Chancellor Phil Dubois! I have had the privilege of knowing Phil since 1979 when we worked together at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following a legendary figure like Jim Woodward was not going to be easy for anyone. Phil did it with amazing ease, a feat in itself. The university has made great strides under his tenure.

The April 2019 shooting event will certainly mark his period as chancellor, but what the aftermath of that event showed was his ability to lead in a moment of crisis. The university could not have had a better person in charge during that awful time.

Donald Ubell, Charlotte