Trump’s coronavirus response: great leadership or a scary campaign commercial?

Mac has me chuckling

I’ve read Mac Engel’s column in the sports section for years because it infuriates me. He’s the writer I love hating. But his new shift to humor has had me snorting my coffee and texting screenshots to friends. Keep doing what you’re doing, Mac.

- Scott Heaton, Fort Worth

One bright spot for life

On behalf of the non-human inhabitants of Earth, thank you for the dramatic reduction in air pollution over the past month. According to data collected by the European Space Agency, the reduction in some pollutants since December is unprecedented.

More than 1 million plant and animal species are threatened with loss of habitat caused by climate change. Staying home more may be a nuisance for humans, but we’ve probably bought these species a little more time.

- Robert J. Smith, Fort Worth

We need more than staying home

Of course there is community spread of coronavirus, because if someone is not confirmed to have it, nobody who was in close contact with him or her is required to self-quarantine. (April 1, 5A, “Tarrant County has 20 new virus cases”)

I don’t understand why our leaders don’t understand this basic principle. The only way other countries have controlled the spread of the virus is through testing and contact tracing. We are failing miserably at both of these.

If you think you have COVID-19, the answer can’t be to go home and wait it out. The numbers are already showing that isn’t working.

- Todd Gregg, Fort Worth

People will spend wastefully

The check is in the mail to millions of Americans to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus shutdown. But how many families will spend this money in a way to help in the time of need?

A better choice would have been vouchers to pay people’s rent and utilities first. Then, any money left over could be applied to entertainment.

Be sure to thank the government for this $2 trillion relief package. Credit goes to President Donald Donald Trump.

- Delbert L. Cantrell, Fort Worth

Trump is leading with the best

It has been very encouraging to watch President Donald Trump step up to the challenge and assemble a great team of the best and the brightest to outlast this COVID-19 plight. His leadership is impressive.

Can you imagine the predicament we’d be in had he lost the election four years ago? Yikes.

- Rick Schwab, Fort Worth

Trump’s scary campaigning continues

Every time I watch one of President Donald Trump’s campaign events (aka “news briefings”) about the coronavirus, I get more afraid instead of reassured. He seems more concerned about his image, his ratings and his re-election than about the country.

He lies and changes his story day by day. This is no way to run a government.

- Robert Bunata, Fort Worth

Not setting good examples

Several times every day, we are reminded of the importance of “social distancing.” TV news anchors now sit at least six feet apart on opposite ends of the news desk. So, why do the president and the governor always have six to 10 people standing shoulder to shoulder around them as they report to us about this highly contagious disease?

Are they immune to COVID-19?

- Thomas Kleuser, Fort Worth