Florence knocked New Bern down — but not out

These are difficult times in our corner of North Carolina. Florence came ashore just south of us, leaving us to deal with the northern and northeastern portions of the storm.

We watched in anguish during the day as the water rose into our homes and businesses. We listened to the terrifying noise in the dark of night. There is nothing quite like the sound of a catastrophic storm in the dark.

Some of the houses in the downtown area that have stood for more than 200 years have flooded for the first time. Some of the local businesses in which we take such pride may be finished. Our lives and our community have been altered in ways that we could never imagine only a few days ago.

But it is still possible to find hope in the face of disaster. The hope comes from you. You have come to help us from all parts of the country.

The Cajun Navy is here from Louisiana. The tree crew cutting trees off of power lines in our neighborhood is from Loudon, Ky. We have seen emergency vehicles in blazed “NYPD.” Power crews have come from all over the country.

And we have stepped up to help each other in any way possible. Some of us are carrying out water logged debris. Some of us are distributing food, water and medicine. Some of us with power have invited strangers into our homes and offices.

And when catastrophe comes to your door, we will be there with you.

These days we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are not brown or black or white. We are not natives or immigrants or aliens. We are not liberals or conservatives. We are not believers or non believers.

We are neighbors. All of us. We are Americans. We do not have to be made great. We are great.

Thanks to all of you from New Bern, North Carolina.

J. Randal Hunter

New Bern

E-cigs addictive

Parents, teachers, and officials are appropriately worried about the rapid rise of Juul and other e-cigarette use among teens. E-cigarettes like Juul contain nicotine and emit toxic substances, and adolescents who use e-cigarettes have increased coughing, wheezing, and exacerbated asthma.

These products are addictive, and are associated with increased use of conventional cigarettes. Parents have filed lawsuits against Juul, including one describing parents’ efforts to stop their son from using Juul use by transferring schools, removing the bedroom door, and subjecting him to urine tests.

We suggest that the best approach to quitting Juul and other e-cigarettes is to get professional help. Free, evidence-based resources are available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.smokefree.gov.

In North Carolina, high school student e-cigarette use increased by 894 percent from 2011 to 2017. Youth nationwide need to hear more about the addictive and harmful effects of e-cigarettes and all tobacco products. States and the federal government can help policymakers prevent e-cigarette and tobacco use through increased public education, stringent regulation, and legislation that allocates funds for youth tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

We can all help youth addicted to e-cigarettes conquer their tobacco addiction through prevention efforts, tobacco treatment, and support.

M. Justin Byron, PhD

Adam O. Goldstein, MD

Leah M. Ranney, PhD

Department of Family Medicine

UNC-Chapel Hill

Heroic migration

In 2003, after my parents saw their neighborhood in Ciudad Juárez, México, begin to succumb to gang violence, they made the heroic decision to save their children and leave home. Crossing the border one night, we eventually settled in Raleigh.

This is why, as a 21-year-old DACA recipient, I am asking leaders like the NC Influencers identified by The News & Observer to place their efforts in advocating not just for my future, but also for the future of my undocumented parents and other loved ones who don’t have the fortune of being one of the relative few who were given the opportunity to legally work and live here, albeit temporarily.

Our allies should also lobby for Gov. Roy Cooper and state legislators to support policies such as tuition equity for undocumented students, access to drivers’ licenses regardless of immigration status, increased wages and rights for workers, and to stop local collaboration with ICE and the federal immigration enforcement policies that are destroying families and communities.

Out of love for my parents and siblings, I refuse to criminalize them for my benefit, because progress and opportunity should never come at the expense of others, especially when those persons have dedicated their lives to you.

Jorge “Tito” Ramos

Raleigh

This story was originally published September 28, 2018 at 5:35 PM.