If the RNC can be held safely in Charlotte it would be a boon for the local economy

If safe, the RNC would be a boon

I hope the RNC can be safely held in Charlotte, what a boon for the local economy. But the threat of moving to Florida, Georgia, or Texas must be a joke. On average these three states have over 50,000 COVID-19 cases and 1,876 deaths. North Carolina has 24,310 cases and 797 deaths.

Because of N.C. leaders and the great support shown by most citizens, the safest place come August may be Charlotte.

Texas, Florida and Georgia have the 7th, 9th and 11th worst number of cases in the U.S. The RNC should thank the people of North Carolina. We stayed home so you could come.

LeRoy Moyer, Charlotte

Go ahead, try to move the RNC

President Trump is once again trying to rewrite history. He is claiming that he “insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August” when no other city submitted a bid.

Plus, he is acting like a spoiled child threatening to take his football home if he isn’t told now, amid a pandemic, that the convention space can be fully occupied in late August.

Call his bluff and let him try to find a location that can guarantee full availability. Nobody knows what the situation will be in late August. He may find a taker, but any city making that guarantee is lying, foolish, or wants to use its residents as a test control group.

Jerry Simon, Charlotte

I found crowd at NC speedway alarming

Regarding “Speedway opened to fans” (May 25):

I read with alarm the story of Ace Speedway’s opening to thousands of closely-packed, unmasked fans. I can only assume those who clamored last year for legislation to punish “sanctuary cities” and “sanctuary sheriffs” over immigration will support legislation to punish sheriffs and county officials protecting “sanctuary speedways.”

Clarke E. Cochran, Indian Trail

There are deadly risks all around us

We are surrounded everyday, everywhere we go, with things that can kill us. We don’t think anything of driving 80 mph just inches from someone else driving 80 mph. A fall can kill us. Hundreds of diseases can kill us. We take precautions against many of these things, but ignore most because we recognize that fear can also ruin our lives. To me, one of the greatest lingering losses from this current danger will be hugs and handshakes. We already miss out on so much in each other from assorted fears we’ve been taught. Our best tools remain what they have always been — prayer and each other.

Joy Shivar, Huntersville

COVID: the ultimate loss of freedom

There has been a lot of loose and dangerous talk about “tyranny” and “loss of freedom” due to restrictions placed on us by our elected officials due to COVID-19. Would you rather have the “tyranny” of the virus for yourself or your family, or the “loss of freedom” that would happen if you’re placed on a ventilator in an ICU? Neither of these has happened to me, and I don’t want them to, so please wear a mask, keep your distance, and pay attention to health officials. Stay home until this is over so we can all go back to enjoying our freedoms, free of the fear of catching this disease.

John Cox, Charlotte

If barbers can reopen, open gyms

I cannot understand the openings of barbershops and nail salons, both of which require personal contact, while refusing to open gyms like the one in Davidson that I patronize.

Those who own these establishments and those of us who patronize them are at least as aware of the need for physical separations during this coronavirus pandemic. If anything I would guess that we are more aware and committed to doing the right thing.

I hope that this issue might be attended to immediately, since at my age (82) I need the situation corrected soon.

Roger L. Bennett, Cornelius

Drawbacks to expunging records

Regarding “In NC, free more from an old criminal charge” (May 26 Opinion):

With over 20 years in law enforcement, some of it as a platoon commander at a correctional facility, I have issues with expunging records for recidivist offenders. I’ve always felt first-time offenders should be handled with more forgiveness.

Expunging a record totally clears the wrongdoer from any responsibility. For a first-time offender that would make sense, not so for a recidivist offender. Keep in mind once a record is expunged the person could legally obtain a concealed carry permit and other legal licenses that carry considerable responsibility, again not a bad idea for a first-time offender. Very complete guidelines on who this would apply to must be in place.

Gary Caton, Stanley

This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 3:22 PM.