Gov. Cooper needs to step it up. Start fining those who refuse to wear masks.

Cooper must enact mask fines

Regarding “Add penalties for flouting COVID orders,” (July 23 Editorial):

Gov. Roy Cooper loses credibility when he’s not willing to risk enforcing his mandate on masks.

Stores are supposed to enforce it by requiring customers to wear masks. Many are not requiring anything. Someone who is not inclined to wear one won’t — because they don’t have to. If there were a penalty, perhaps they would comply.

There are still plenty of customers not wearing masks. Many employees are not wearing them correctly and could be infecting people. I hope the governor will do what’s right for everybody’s health and well-being and start fining businesses and individuals.

Elizabeth Will, Shelby

NC should find a way to open gyms

Some of us with serious medical issues have been advised by doctors that we need some exercise to keep living. I can’t breathe well enough to walk but I can use a NuStep or pool to get the exercise I need to keep my heart going.

Fortunately, some places have been able to allow those of us with these conditions to continue a much needed routine. I believe strongly that gyms should be opened with limited numbers and good hygiene protocol.

Cindy Davis, Blowing Rock

U.S. is not ready to reopen schools

Regarding “‘Terrified, petrified, panicked’: CMS teachers call on district to go fully remote,” (July 23):

Of course CMS teachers are worried about school reopening. Mecklenburg County’s infection rate is at a record high. European countries, however, planned ahead. They concentrated on driving down the infection rate before prematurely opening schools and the economy. They tied testing and mitigation to science and data, not politics. Now many countries are ready to fully and safely reopen schools. We’re not ready. It is not safe.

Joseph Salerno, Charlotte

Responsibility for Trump’s failures

Donald Trump’s claim that he might not accept the results of the 2020 election if he loses (July 20) shows yet again that he is unfit to be president. It fits with his administration’s pattern of dishonesty and incompetence.

Trump’s follow Republicans must share the responsibility for his many failures. Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr and Rep. Patrick McHenry and many others have obediently supported him while ignoring their responsibility towards N.C. citizens.

Republican voters who still support Trump’s reign of failure have much to answer for as well.

Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

Appears the Senate has given up

When did some Republicans in Congress decide American lives don’t matter? We have a Republican administration sending unidentified troops in military garb to Portland, seizing people without due process, and shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters demonstrating against inequality and police brutality.

One of the “non-lethal” bullets sent a man to intensive care. When a Navy vet asked troops if they forgot their promise to uphold the Constitution he was clubbed and pepper-sprayed. Has the Senate given up the United States of America? After all, Congress promised to uphold the Constitution.

Steven Katzman, Troutman

Trump’s use of ‘China virus’ stirs hate

Over the past six months of the COVID-19 pandemic President Trump has continuously described it as the “China virus.” Though this virus was not created by any country, culture, or group of people, many still turn their blame to the Asian community.

Many countries, including the U.S., have seen a spike in anti-Asian hate crimes. When the nation’s leader uses a phrase like “China virus” it only breeds anti-Asian sentiment and turns opinion against an innocent group. It’s past time that Trump dropped those words from his vocabulary and started acting like a president should.

Jakob Lucas, Waxhaw

City tree ordinance is a feeble attempt

The writer is a Charlotte apartment contractor.

Regarding “Charlotte, known for its trees, lost 8% of its canopy in just 6 years, study says,” (July 16):

Under the Urban Street Design standards now applicable in Mecklenburg County, a street pattern for all new development is proscribed. These requirements ignore existing topographical and natural conditions, including stands of existing trees.

Charlotte’ tree ordinance is a feeble attempt to overcome the impact of street layout requirements. This isn’t the sole reason for arbitrary tree clearing, nor is it my only objection to this abominable ordinance, but it’s a good place to start. It is unfortunate that the clear-cutting and grading we object to and is so common in current development is mandated by the Urban Street Design standards.

John Huson, Charlotte