President Trump is making it hard for the CDC and others to combat coronavirus

Coronavirus

So far, the coronavirus epidemic has sickened 82,400 and killed 2,804 worldwide. Although there are only 60 known cases in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control is warning the virus will spread and could soon be “a disruption to everyday life.”

How can the CDC cope with this crisis in light of the funding cuts President Trump has made to this agency and others tasked with fighting global health crises? Such cuts hamper their ability to respond to a projected pandemic.

Now is the time for various governmental factions and partisan ideologies to set aside their differences and work together to combat the coronavirus threat. It is time to finally demand that our president remove his blinders and be accountable for keeping us safe. Our lives may depend upon it.

Nancy Swisher, Raleigh

What will NC do?

Regarding “North Carolina is preparing for coronavirus, officials say,” (Feb. 26):

In light of the coming coronavirus, what is the N.C. legislature’s plan for the 1 million people in our state who are uninsured? Is the legislature expecting people without insurance to show up at a doctor’s office, urgent care, or ER if they think they might be infected?

Many are not going to risk a huge bill they cannot pay in order to be screened for a virus that might be a common cold. There’s also the problem of people who have insurance with huge deductibles. They, too, may be reluctant to seek care. Many in low-paying jobs will not take time off from work because they aren’t compensated for sick time and can’t afford to lose wages.

A lack of concern for the health and wealth of the poor people of North Carolina is going to cost us dearly. What is the legislature’s plan? Some ideas: increase minimum wage, expand Medicaid, support unions.

Cheryl Mitchell-Olds, Durham

New voting machines

Regarding “Reliability of pricey new voting machines questioned, (Feb. 24):

This Associated Press article should have made clear that these machines are not used in Wake County, nor in much of North Carolina.

The Wake Board of Elections wisely chose an updated version of the machine that reads a hand-marked paper ballot, which is then saved in the event of a challenge, where they can be counted again.

There are assistive machines available in every voting place to mark a ballot for someone not able to mark the bubble. The user can then read his choices before voting the ballot.

Thomas Hadley, Raleigh

NCDOT rail cars

Regarding “NCDOT bought part of a Ringling Bros. circus train and now isn’t sure what to do with it,” (Feb. 26):

After reading that NCDOT spent $383,000 taxpayer dollars on circus train cars, it appears they may have hired some of the clowns as well. While the pavement on my street (State Road 2669) falls apart with no plans to repair it until 2023, NCDOT has placed enough pavement on the shoulder of U.S. 1 South near Fuquay-Varina to pave my street 10 times over.

Rural secondary road don’t appear to matter to NCDOT. Dodging potholes has become a way of life here.

George Wiggins, Knightdale

Silent Sam

A Silent Sam solution: Put the statue back but cover the CSA symbols on Silent Sam’s canteen and belt buckle with a blank bronze sheet. Then, put a statement on the pedestal that says “dedicated to all American university students who left their studies to fight in the Civil War.” This should satisfy all factions.

Carl N. Bean Jr., Chapel Hill

Health care

Nobody believes our health care system is working perfectly. But we don’t need to completely abolish private and employer-provided health insurance to fix it.

A public option such as the “Medicare for All Who Want It” plan will guarantee coverage to all Americans and lower health care costs through a free market mechanism. There would not be an income limit to qualify, providing coverage to many Americans in states left behind from Medicaid expansion.

It would also force insurance companies to compete in a way they’ve never had to before. Plus, this plan preserves freedom of choice for people to remain on their plans if desired.

Best of all, it’s completely paid for by rolling back the Trump corporate tax cuts and a fee of no more than 8.5% of a family’s income.

One size rarely fits all in any field or industry and certainly does not fit all in health insurance. The goal should be for universal health care, not universal government health care.

James Tian, Durham

Correction:

Roy Brock’s letter in Tuesday’s Forum about Silent Sam should have said ”As a UNC graduate (1960), I have given my last dollar to UNC, save the Covenant program.”