Don’t downplay mistakes on coronavirus. Be transparent with the public.

Coronavirus

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said his department is investigating the whistleblower complaint that HHS personnel who helped evacuate U.S. citizens from an area of known coronavirus infection did not take the steps necessary to protect themselves. He said that none of the workers had contracted the illness but if they wished to be tested the department would offer this service for their peace of mind.

What about the known fact that there can be asymptomatic carriers? Testing and tracking must be done if your priority is public safety. Now is not the time to downplay mistakes that have been made. If you want to instill confidence, you need to demonstrate that you’re willing to be transparent and thorough.

Diane Kay Hendrix, Raleigh

Don’t scare kids

The CDC advises Americans to take common-sense precautions on coronavirus. I interpret this to mean, don’t anticipate encountering it on every doorknob, stairway railing, cinema seat, or public bathroom. Don’t scare your kids with constant warnings, overuse of antibacterial products, or withdrawing them from their usual activities — unless advised to do so. Kids intuit fear from parents. They need adults with common-sense reassurance and calm watchful preparedness.

Annette Swain, Carrboro

Mike Bloomberg

The Progressive Democrats of Orange County are disappointed and alarmed that N.C. Senate Minority Leader, Dan Blue, and House Minority Leader, Darren Jackson have endorsed Mike Bloomberg for president.

Bloomberg’s campaign highlights whether the office of president can be purchased by an individual who has amassed a fortune estimated at $62 billion. This question goes directly to the heart of whether the U.S. is a republic or an aristocracy, monarchy, oligarchy, or plutocracy, all rejected by our founders. His record on segregation, education, housing and Islamaphobia is well-documented, as are his misogynistic words and actions.

Bloomberg is clearly not the choice of the people, no matter how many of them he attempts to buy.

Susan Siegel

Tony Wikrent

Progressive Democrats of Orange County

Sanders on Castro

Regarding Bernie Sanders’ recent comment about Fidel Castro. As a participant in the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, I saw the results of violence against refugees by Castro’s soldiers — missing digits to obtain jewelry. Many of Castro’s prisoners didn’t make it to Key West. They were tossed overboard by the families.

Yes, I think a politician seeking Cuban-American votes in Florida should remember that hard feelings persist.

Ernest D. Kelly, Cary

Donald Trump

How sad it must be believing that scientists, scholars, historians, economists, civil servants and journalists have devoted their entire lives to deceiving you, while a reality TV star with a lifetime of lying and corruption is your only source of truth and honesty. All voters must open their eyes in November if our democracy and country are to survive a president who disregards the rule of law and Constitution.

Don Haines, Fuquay-Varina

National park repairs

North Carolina is home to some of our nation’s most significant national parks, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Wright Brothers memorial. The state’s 14 national parks sites are enjoyed by over 18 million visitors annually. That contributes $2 billion in economic benefit and supports over 20,000 jobs.

Unfortunately, these park sites need $459 million in repairs to outdated roads, water and electric lines, signage, trails, and historic renovations. When infrastructure crumbles it hurts local communities and degrades peoples’’ park experience.

There is bipartisan support in Congress to fix our parks. The Restore Our Parks Act would address roughly half the $12 billion nationwide park repair need. Sen. Thom Tillis joined nine members of N.C. delegation to support this legislation. Sen. Richard Burr’s support would be welcomed.

Jasmine Littleson, Swannanoa

Recycling in Raleigh

Until six months ago I lived in a part of Raleigh that was not in the city so I paid for trash collection from a great bunch of veterans who came weekly for trash and recycling. At Christmas, containers overflowed but they were happy if you left stuff neatly on the curb.

Do that in the city of Raleigh and they write you up. My recycling container was full, with a large cardboard box sticking out the top. So the city wrote me up for overfilling it and not breaking down the box. The warning said I’d face a $100 “administrative fee” if I did it again. I’m making it easier for Raleigh to collect my recyclables and sell them to offset taxes, and this is what I get?

Ben Levitan, Raleigh