Star-Telegram letter writers don’t think the coronavirus is much to worry about
Free speech always
Tommy Snyder, the candidate for the Grapevine school board mentioned in Monday’s article, “School board candidate alarmed by students’ Young Marxists club,” (1A) needs to rethink his commitment to the United States, specifically the First Amendment. Students have a right to their political positions as much as Snyder has a right to his.
What shocks me the most is that he states he’s a veteran. I, too, served for 21 years so that people in our nation can have these rights. I don’t necessarily agree with everyone, but as the saying goes, “I disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.”
- Mark Davis, Arlington
Why not mail in all ballots?
Every state should begin planning now for the November election. Some may want to cancel it, but there is a better choice. All 50 states should use mail-in ballots. Washington state, an epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, just held a primary with no major issues and nothing canceled.
In Texas, the mechanism is already in place, as mail-in ballots are used for targeted groups. Why not extend that to every registered voter?
- Deborah Chaney, Bedford
Not politicians’ fault
The COVID-19 virus was labeled a pandemic March 11, and the reaction of governmental entities throughout the world has created an economic crisis. Some perspective might separate the reality of the risk of disease and death from the breathless reporting on television.
Roughly 7,500 people die from all causes every day in the United States, about 2.8 million each year. The relentless blaming of politicians for failing to protect us and the resulting political posturing is driving governmental and private action that is seriously damaging the economy, costing people their livelihoods and causing financial mistakes.
Is the mitigation effort worse than the disease?
- Richard Wray, Arlington
Treat them over there
I’m puzzled about the handling of the coronavirus issue. Why bring exposed and infected people to the U.S., rather than treating and quarantining them where they are? Bringing them here potentially puts hundreds of millions more people at risk.
I appreciate the humanitarian need for treating those infected, but isn’t it also humanitarian to minimize the number of other people infected?
Surely medical personnel could have been dispatched to treat people overseas if adequate care was unavailable where they were.
- Judy Jones, Fort Worth
Keep older people at home
Instead of shutting down our economy, schools and events, would it not make more sense to require older people with pre-existing conditions to “shelter in place” until COVID-19 passes? This would allow others to go on with their lives while taking the suggested precautions.
- Paul Paulus, Arlington
This is just temporary
Once the coronavirus panic has subsided, the second great panic of 2020 will occur when people try to return all the supplies they’re hoarding. Let’s hope the stores don’t take them back.
- William Jesberg, Grapevine