ICE detention should not be a death sentence. Release NC detainees held in Georgia.

Detained immigrants

Regarding “Detained NC immigrants face coronavirus outbreak,” (May 19):

Detention centers and prisons are cauldrons for disease due to crowded living conditions, lax healthcare, and poor nutrition. Fearing COVID-19, detainees at the Stewart Detention Center participated in a hunger strike, asking for masks and other protective gear plus nutritious food.

As a registered nurse, I have worked with immigrants who have spent years here working, providing needed services, and paying taxes while trying to make a safer, better life for their families. Now, in detention, they’re being threatened with death by exposure to COVID-19.

It is time to close Stewart and other detention centers, and to stop rounding up immigrants to fill them. Let these good men and women return to their families. ICE detention should not be a death sentence in America.

Linda Burton, Raleigh

Payroll tax cut

President Trump is recommending a cut to the federal payroll tax. This is a cut to the Social Security tax which is already being reduced by severe unemployment, so it does nothing to help those most in need.

It will severely reduce funds available to current and future retirees and those on federal disability. If the president really wants to help, he should recommend reducing federal income tax, which would affect every taxpayer with reportable income and make more money available.

Another way would be to level severe fines on employers/industries that hired undocumented individuals now considered “essential” but who are not entitled to federal help through the Paycheck Protection Program, health care, food stamps, or other forms of help.

Joyce Rothchild, Raleigh

Cooper overreacted

It was understandable when Gov. Roy Cooper closed our state in the beginning since we had no idea what we were dealing with and the projected numbers were frightening. However, it soon became apparent that the numbers were wrong, the data poorly extrapolated.

I thought Cooper would make wise decisions and be a good leader. However, the situation is now dire because of the massive overreaction to what we were initially told.

There is enough evidence now from scientists/doctors around the world to prove that we need to reopen our state. We’re not only postponing the inevitable, we’re causing economic destruction that will cause more deaths than the virus would have. The governor should open his eyes and save North Carolina before any more damage is done.

Sharyn Fuller, Durham

Wearing masks

Public health officials provide us with scientifically derived guidance which recommends we wear masks while in public to decrease the probability of needlessly spreading COVID-19. Nonetheless, a sizable number of us appear to be confusing the inconvenience of wearing a mask with government or political oppression. Please, people; this is neither a red nor a blue issue. It is a public health issue.

Everyone looks back longingly to the pre-virus days of last December and aches to return to those “normal” times. It’s going to be a very long time before the new normal approximates those good ol’ days. We’ll get there a lot sooner if we choose to cooperate with public health officials rather than fight them on principles that cannot be defended scientifically or logically.

Peter A. DiMeo, Cary

DOT furloughs

Regarding “Faced with a sharp drop in revenue, NCDOT furloughs thousands of employees statewide,” (May 19):

Sad to hear of furloughs at the NCDOT. It would be great if they could get more funding because what better time to work on the roads than now, with the low traffic conditions? Also, since workers are outdoors it’s a safer place to work during the pandemic. Perhaps our representatives in Washington could make the case for stimulus funds?

George Mapp, Durham

Greenways

During the COVID-19 crisis, East Coast Greenway segments are hosting record crowds, often double 2019 totals, to get exercise, peace of mind.

Accessible greenways are an equitable path to health for all. Studies show construction of greenways supports 50% more jobs than highway construction for every dollar spent. Nationally, a $25 billion investment could generate a $250 billion benefit based on a recent greenway impact study.

Greenway infrastructure investment projects like the proposed Durham Beltline Trail, one of 60 construction-ready projects along the East Coast Greenway, would spur economic recovery and improve public health — just what the doctor ordered. It’s up to us to act, showing we are ready to come together to rebuild our health and our economy.

Dennis Markatos-Soriano, Durham

Executive director, East Coast Greenway Alliance