Parents like me need more flexible options from CMS, or they’ll leave the school system

CMS needs more flexible options

Unprecedented numbers of N.C. parents are planning to home-school. Likely absent from that group? Families in CMS’ School Choice program who would lose magnet seats.

My infant has a chronic condition — one of many reasons why my first-grader won’t attend school during the pandemic. When Gov. Cooper announced the availability of remote learning statewide, I joined two other parents and found a teacher to teach the curriculum, providing safe in-person learning.

Instead, CMS is mandating that my 6-year-old learn virtually, with at least five hours a day on an iPad. It’s either forfeit her magnet seat or daily contradict the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations on screen time and in-person learning.

If CMS wants to keep students, and its funding, then parents need more options.

Beth Dozier Hessler, Charlotte

Don’t let COVID data be manipulated

History is, once again, repeating itself. The Trump administration has bypassed the CDC’s collection of data in an effort to “streamline” the information on COVID-19. In 1918, the U.S. government suppressed information about how widespread Spanish flu was.

Concerned they would be charged under the 1918 Sedition Act, newspapers did not report the alarm from doctors at the time. This resulted in many more cases and many more deaths.

By bypassing the CDC, is the Trump administration “streamlining,” or is it manipulating data to serve its own political narrative?

Lucinda Lucas, Charlotte

Is this the motto of anti-maskers?

The official motto of the United States is E pluribus unum, “Out of many, one.” But there’s a horde of self-proclaimed legal scholars screaming that the Constitution permits them to go mask-free and endanger everybody else. They seem to believe the motto is actually “Non es, in bulla de me,” which loosely translated means “You’re not the boss of me!” Most of us outgrow that error before age 4, much less before attending law school.

Tom Massey, Waxhaw

Time to demand Trump’s resignation

Americans must demand the resignation of this president and his administration. Due to a lack of federal response and an inconsistent message from the president, thousands have died and will continue to die.

There is a reason why our country, the richest and most powerful in the world, has the eighth highest COVID death rate per capita.

In April, Trump and his associates demanded the U.S. reopen, no matter what data showed. We’re seeing the results of this dangerous push. Now, he is calling for schools to reopen, with the same indifference to the data.

Stand up, America. Demand that we change the direction of this pandemic. Don’t wait until the election.

Kelly Morlacci, Charlotte

NC leaders, put an end to discord

When Roy Cooper was elected governor, it was by the people of North Carolina. They made the choice at the voting booth. Throughout his term the Republican-led General Assembly has continually been at odds with him, even taking him to court.

Every state in our union is trying to survive a pandemic. We need cooperation not discord among our leaders.

Cooper is doing his best to keep N.C. citizens healthy and our schools and businesses open. The General Assembly must find ways to support the governor, instead of thwarting his decisions.

We have enough discord in Washington. Let’s not reflect that in our state.

Mary Ann Evanoff, Midland

NC tribes must now work together

Regarding “Catawba plan to break ground Wednesday on an NC casino,” (July 17):

I congratulate the Catawba tribe on finally breaking ground on a new casino. I am embarrassed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ pointless lawsuit.

They complain about campaign donations when their PAC gave many over the years to both parties. The tribe is also pursuing its own casino at the Tennessee-Virginia border, which would take millions out of this state.

The tribes in North Carolina need to work together. It’s the only chance to be the potential beneficiary on the now-certain expansion of gambling in North Carolina.

Dennis Justice, Fletcher

Thanks for honoring Lewis and Vivian

I applaud Truist Bank’s full-page tributes to Rep. John Lewis and Rev. C. T. Vivian in Tuesday’s paper. I first learned of them when preparing to teach eighth graders about the civil rights movement. These men are true heroes. They never faltered in their mission to make this a better country. I hope that people seeing the tributes will want to learn more about these men and the lives they chose to live and that some may even choose to emulate them.

Judy LeGrett, Mooresville