Coronavirus deaths are proof that NC nursing home operations need additional scrutiny

Take a closer look at NC nursing homes

Regarding “Nursing home put residents in ‘immediate jeopardy’ of COVID-19, state says. 18 died,” (June 28)

Sunday’s article about the nursing home was sad. It should serve as a cautionary tale to research what other facilities in our state these conglomerates operate where managers were “following a corporate directive.”

So many senior care places have underpaid, overworked staff in a command-and-control work climate. Private equity groups have one function - profits. In many cases it is cold, calculated direction that puts profit above service, safety, and sometime life itself.

The Supreme Court has already told us that corporations are “people” but enjoy the protections of no one person or persons being held accountable. Time to question more.

George Hinson, Concord

Think of all the veterans at risk

American veterans, from Korea to Iraq, are very likely now some of the most at risk due to COVID-19. It’s sad that many Americans who won’t wear masks want to invoke “freedom” as a justification for not wearing one.

If you don’t want to wear one, whatever, but don’t talk about freedom. Think about this, instead: The men and women who are mostly likely to die from infection are the ones who fought for that freedom. They fought and survived wars; now they face death again, this time at the hands of their fellow Americans.

Matt McGarry, Charlotte

Disappointed in Harris Teeter’s stance

Regarding “Many Charlotte businesses favor new mask mandate. Harris Teeter won’t enforce it,” (June 28):

As a 14-year loyal Harris Teeter shopper, I was disheartened when reading their stance on masks. Dodging bare faces while perusing the aisles is unsettling and has been an ongoing challenge. I was hoping the mandate would change that. As a result, I’m disappointed in Harris Teeter’s lack of concern for the safety of customers. We all need to be on board with face coverings. It’s the responsible thing to do, not just for our own well-being but for our fellow shoppers as well.

Denise McDonnell, Mooresville

Cooper appears hypocritical to me

I had to laugh when the governor was giving us instructions regarding COVID. He said we should social distance, wear masks and avoid large crowds. He neglected to say the exception is when there are thousands of protesters, rioters and looters — then it’s OK.

Dianne Weiss, Matthews

Better for me, others, if you go to SC

Regarding “No mask for me; I’ll be going to SC” (June 28 Forum):

I’m so appreciative of the Waxhaw resident who plans to do all his shopping in S.C. because of Gov. Roy Cooper’s mask mandate. This makes me feel safer as a Mecklenburg resident because he’s one less person I’ll have to worry about accidentally running into when I have to leave home. Hopefully my friends and family in S.C. won’t suffer from his socially irresponsible behavior.

Terri Matthews, Charlotte

This is a perfect time to fix potholes

I am disappointed that during the COVID lockdown more road and pothole repairs are not being made in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. I know it was a wet spring, but this is an unbelievable opportunity with so little traffic on the roads — and an opportunity for more people to work.

Emily Chatham, Charlotte

Fort Mill should do as Richmond did

The former Capital of the Confederacy (Richmond, Va.) has made great strides in eradicating Confederate monuments, so why can’t Fort Mill? (June 19)

Are we keeping these four monuments in the center of town, known as Confederate Park, up because they are seemingly so far removed from our present and remind us of how far we have come? Quite the opposite. We have kept these monuments up because they are very much a part of our present idealization of the past and our current struggle with racism in America.

We can start by making the Confederacy the past by taking these statues down. I believe these monuments in Fort Mill must be removed, not because we need to eradicate history but to eradicate racism.

Laura Meyer, Fort Mill

Trump has crossed far over the line

In Tulsa, the president gave a long speech laced with racist thinking to an intended audience of tens of thousands of people – during a national racial crisis, during a pandemic with a highly contagious disease, during a recession where he attempts to manage the economy as if the pandemic didn’t exist. He is now so far over the line of incompetence.

I keep thinking that if any of the men who held this office in the last 30 years were there now, our country would be less divided, the economy would be on a better footing, and thousands of lives would have been saved.

Ross Loeser, Charlotte