I am at risk for coronavirus. Where is the leadership we need?
We pay one way or another
Texans who fear they have the coronavirus should be tested. Those who test positive should be treated without costs or questions.
Five million Texans have no health insurance. Many who are insured have high deductibles and co-pays, and undocumented immigrants may fear seeking care. The costs of care will be far less than the human and economic costs of an epidemic.
Ultimately, federal and state governments, insurance companies and health-care providers will bear the costs, and citizens will do so indirectly. The important thing is to move quickly to mitigate the impact on lives and the economy.
- Karen Myers, Fort Worth
Really, you aren’t helping
Dear President Donald Trump: Please accept my recommendation for addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Just shut up and let the adults in the room speak.
- David Voss, Dallas
Make voting more accessible
Coronavirus makes a new approach to elections necessary. Among the most credible methods of conducting elections are mail-in ballots. Several states already allow extensive voting by mail, but Texas lags far behind, allowing only those who are 65 and older or who will be traveling to request a mail-in ballot.
Other states have seen increases in voting when mail-in ballots have been introduced. Texas should similarly allow universal voting by mail as the November election approaches. The Legislature and governor should consider this an emergency measure to protect our elections and ensure we are safe from the spread of the coronavirus.
- Blerim Elmazi, Arlington
It’s health, not politics
Where are our coronavirus tests? I am in a high-risk group, as is my mother, whom I care for. I’m terrified by the lack of response to this crisis by this administration and Congress. When can we expect widespread testing? When will we see meaningful legislation to help ease the economic impact?
This should not be a political issue. The president shouldn’t be using the lack of testing to keep the numbers of diagnoses down.
- Rebecca Boyd, Fort Worth
Finally, Mac makes a point
Finally, Mac Engel pays off with some quality two-ply humor. (March 14, 12A, “The threat is real ... Wal-Mart’s out of toilet paper”) I would point out, however, that it did take a worldwide pandemic to make it happen.
- David Ross, Bedford
Cartoon so unfair to Trump
The editor who chose Friday’s editorial cartoon should be ashamed. (13A) Just when the country needs assurance, you take another cheap shot at President Donald Trump. If Barack Obama or any other Democrat were in the White House and appointed Bozo the Clown to run the virus response, you would froth in praise.
- Burt E. Ballentine, Keller
All a media fabrication
Herds of Americans have stripped store shelves of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and disinfectants. Panic is evident in the stock market, sports and the educational establishment, all whipped into a frenzy by the news media.
The sheep are fleeing an unseen wolf whose bark is worse than its bite given the limited number of victims worldwide. How many people have died in car accidents during the months of this pandemic? Thousands, yet no call to stop people from driving. This is mass insanity.
- Wayne Williams, Fort Worth