The Trump administration was AWOL as coronavirus spread

Virus response

The first signs of the corona virus popped up in January. Where has the administration been since then? They had two months to act, they had plenty of evidence for the sorts of things that needed to be done, not the least of which was to have the capacity to test. It reminds me of Puerto Rico, but now it is the entire country and the president is just tossing us paper towels!

Appalling barely covers it.

Ellen Powers, Raleigh

Ignoring science

The EPA plans to limit the role of science in development of environmental rules. The current rule changes would diminish the importance of research, such as the 1993 Six Cities Study from Harvard University, because it included some confidential information from participants. That study definitively linked polluted air to premature death.

Given current threats to public health, now is a dangerous time to ignore science. We have a right to know about threats to our health. Is it any wonder that so many people have a lack of confidence in the government response to the coronavirus pandemic?

Thomas Mitchell-Olds, Durham

Sen. Thom Tillis

I recently received an email from Sen. Thom Tillis with the subject: “Coronavirus: What You Need to Know.” In the email Tillis states, “The health and well-being of every North Carolinian is my top priority . . .” Too bad he did not have that same concern for “every North Carolinian” back when he was speaker of the N.C. House and could have supported expanding Medicaid.

Larry D. King, Raleigh

Schumer’s threats

Whether Republican, Democrat, or independent, first and foremost we are Americans. When a U.S. senator publicly and directly threatens two U.S. Supreme Court justices, regardless of his reason, he is not just threatening the individuals, but the judiciary as co-equal branch of government.

Doing so shows contempt for the Constitution and our democracy. As an American, I take that personally. Sen. Chuck Schumer’s threats cannot be excused as mere political rhetoric. They cannot be accepted and normalized.

Schumer should be censured by his Senate colleagues of both parties.

Stephen Browne, Cary

Wall St. handouts

Regarding “Socialism,” (March 6 Forum):

It’s not exactly strange to find all those in the Trump camp and those on the other side of the coin, which is to say, former Vice President Joe Biden, Republicans who don’t like Trump, and other false prophets of ethics, like Mike Bloomberg, supporting Federal Reserve measures when it props up Wall Street raiders needing a “handout.”

Whatever happened to good old fashioned free market capitalism, where corporations succeeded (or failed) on their own accord without socialists being there to protect them and bail them out?

I guess this is the only kind of socialism that some folks would support.

John Rhodes, Efland

Black history

Parents of young children across Wake County scrambled last week to get their children ready for Read Across America Week or Dr. Seuss Week. I received many announcements and reminders about it, yet our elementary school did not hold one event, assignment, or activity that related to Black History Month in February, even though our school is mostly students of color.

I asked the principal, the vice principal, and the teacher what was planned to educate and celebrate Black History Month. They all told me to speak to someone else, not taking any responsibility. I offered to help plan something. No one took me up on that.

Dr. Seuss has a complicated past when it comes to racism, yet we blindly celebrate him every year in schools across America, while we barely pause for Black History Month. I’ll be more involved in planning events during Black History Month at my child’s school next year. Because if no one else will take responsibility, I will. I hope other parents will join me.

Megan Roberts, Raleigh

Muslim women

Regarding “Durham voters elect county’s 1st all-female board and 1st Muslim woman commissioner,” (March 5):

I am elated to know that Durham County has elected its first Muslim woman commissioner. As a Muslim woman, I find this empowering. Too often, Muslim voices are misrepresented or become lost. We are told that Muslims don’t assimilate properly and are not loyal to one’s nation.

But women like Nida Allam, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib are showing the world that Muslims love their country and would do anything to help their communities. Every day, these women are fired up to work on issues that affect Americans everywhere. They are loyal and true patriots. In fact, they are following the teachings of Muhammad who said loyalty to one’s nation is part of faith. By running for office, they are true to their faith and their identity as Americans.

I find these women incredibly inspirational. I am glad my daughter will have them as role models to aspire to.

Huma Munir, Morrisville