Europe, Southeast Asia have shown us what it takes to lower COVID-19 virus rates

US must pull together to curb this virus

It is time to stop polite acceptance of the no-maskers. They are being self-centered and shooting themselves and the rest of us in the foot.

This is about beating the virus so we all can get closer to normalcy while waiting for a vaccine. The only tools widely available now are social distancing, hand washing and masks.

Look at charts of the infection rates in Europe and much of Southeast Asia versus the U.S., and see what is possible when a population pulls together as a community. Your rugged individualism is helping keep this country stuck in a crisis instead of working our way out of it.

David Basri, Charlotte

‘Buckle up for Safety’ wasn’t political

Transportation statistics showed that wearing a seat belt saved lives, so a law was enacted that mandated them while driving. “Buckle up for Safety.” I don’t remember it being a political issue, but a safety issue for all of us.

Virologists have proven that wearing a face mask helps reduce the spread of a deadly virus. Our governor mandated wearing masks in public to protect all of us.

More than 50 countries, including Germany, France Spain, and Argentina, have mask mandates. Why have U.S. mandates become a political issue? Please, “Mask up for Safety.” It’s temporary. It’s not about you, but about all of us.

Carol Reinbold, Charlotte

Forest’s threat to sue is shortsighted

I was saddened to read Lt. Gov. Dan Forest is suing Gov. Roy Cooper to rush the opening of North Carolina. This shortsighted and politically motivated move will waste needed resources and time.

Like the governors of Florida, Texas, Georgia and Arizona, Forest has followed the head-in-the-sand approach until very recently. In another two weeks Florida and Texas will be among the top four states with the most confirmed COVID-19 tests. While coming very late to the table, even these four governors have finally started seeing the overall picture.

LeRoy Moyer, Charlotte

Don’t leave millions of people uninsured

Last Friday, just before midnight, the Justice Department filed a brief with the Supreme Court to end the Affordable Care Act. This is has been a goal of this administration and Republicans since the law was enacted. Unfortunately we have yet to see a workable replacement plan.

Millions have lost jobs and health care during this pandemic and many have been able to get coverage through the ACA. If the law is overturned millions will be uninsured and there will be no protection for those with preexisting conditions, no matter what Donald Trump says.

All Americans deserve the right to health care, but this administration seems determined to take it away.

Laura Reich, Matthews

What if virus droplets were visible?

Too bad the coronavirus is not as visible as second-hand smoke. Perhaps then the no-maskers could grasp the significance of the risk.

Cathie Solomonson, Troutman

Keep the anti-racism momentum going

As a 64-year-old white male, I’ve been both disturbed and encouraged over recent events exposing police brutality and institutionalized racism. I have friends and relatives who are offended by the BLM movement and the term “white privilege.”

We who have been steeped in our racially biased societal norms our entire life have no right to even pretend to know what it’s like to face daily discriminations because of the color of your skin.

After centuries of atrocities, removing statues and Confederate flags and renaming schools is trivial in comparison. We cannot let this current momentum stop without meaningful reforms across the board. Let’s begin by voting out local, state and national leaders who refuse to join the right side of history.

Willard Osburn, Denver, N.C.

Trump’s economy before the pandemic

I hear so much about how great Trump’s economy was prior to the pandemic. I thought I’d provide a counterview. The Fed had driven rates to near zero because of the fragile economy and the administration had driven the deficit above $1 trillion.

As a reformed Republican, I am amazed how the GOP has displaced the Democrats as the tax-and-spend party. But the GOP has taken it a further step — spend but don’t tax.

This is a contrived economy with Wall Street drinking the Kool-Aid and the huge number of unemployed looking at it from the outside.

Frankly, I’m less concerned with Trump as president than I am about citizens who’ve seen his mess and still support him.

Ross Annable, Harrisburg