Gov. Cooper’s top priority must be mitigating spread of coronavirus, not revenue losses

Mitigate spread

Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper said he didn’t plan to avoid things like sporting events because he’s not a high-risk person. He is absolutely incorrect.

First, he is 62, which is above the age at which the CDC recommends avoiding large gatherings. Second, he can set an example for citizens in preventing the spread of this deadly and contagious disease. We should all be avoiding large gatherings.

It is true that sporting events and large gatherings bring in lots of revenue for the state., but we stand to lose much more if we do not take action now. If we continue with business as usual, something like March Madness could bring chaos to the intensive care unit.

Cooper and other officials have the power to mitigate the spread of this virus. Difficult decisions to cancel events now and lose revenue have the potential to prevent more significant losses of money, not to mention lives, that would result from circumstances requiring a complete shutdown like that in Italy.

Right now we need leaders focused on what’s right, not politicians focused on the bottom line.

Dr. Louise Highley, Hillsborough

Virus testing

Regarding “Pence: coronavirus tests to ramp up, no surprise billing,” (March 11)

Buried in this article on insurance coverage for coronavirus testing was this little gem: “Tests conducted in private doctor offices, hospitals and labs do not currently have to be reported back to the federal government, complicating its ability to track testing rates nationwide.”

Over 331 million people live in the United States and the CDC has dispensed about 1 million tests. That’s .003 test per person. But we have no idea how many private entities are testing. Where are they getting the tests? How do we know how many people really have COVID-19 if these private entities don’t have to report back to the CDC?

What a fiasco.

Laurie McDowell, Raleigh

Don’t blame Trump

Can the media and certain politicians stop blaming the coronavirus situation on President Trump? Yes he has many faults, but in a time like this stop looking for a scapegoat. Overall, the administration has handled this very well, from the China travel ban in late January to the cruise ship quarantines. Everyone needs to pull together and not blame a politician or party. America is better than this. COVID-19 is a worldwide health issue, not an American political issue. The U.S. will get through this, as we have all past worldwide medical emergencies.

David Bond, Raleigh

Medicaid expansion

Regarding “Republican legislators aren’t convinced that insuring women will save NC infants’ lives,” (March 11):

Once again, Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly refuse to listen to experts who know far more about the subject than they do. It is apparent the only way we are going to get Medicaid expanded and have more people insured is to change which party controls each chamber of our General Assembly, as happened in Virginia.

With COVID-19 affecting more people and the possibility of more novel viruses in the future, this expansion is no longer a political issue, but a moral one. How anyone who professes to be a Christian can be against expanding Medicaid and providing some form of health insurance for those who cannot afford it is beyond my understanding.

Sally Greaser, Raleigh

US health care

Regarding “Blue Cross NC announces coronavirus test coverage,” (March 7):

Why is it news when Blue Cross Blue Shield announces that COVID-19 testing will be a covered benefit? Because only in the failing U.S. health care system would individual patients have to pay for a lab test that is urgently required to protect the health of the public.

Under a single-payer health care system, there would be no out-of-pocket charges for lab tests or medical care. There are many reasons for delayed access to medical care, but cost should not be one of them, especially during a public health emergency.

There may be no better argument for Medicare for All than the botched response to the threat of a COVID-19 epidemic. We may not know yet exactly how to pay for Medicare for All, but we are already paying for not having it.

Jonathan Kotch, Chapel Hill

Don’t end debates

Regarding “This might be a good year to skip debates,” (March 10 Opinion):

Just because “we got along without presidential debates before 1960” doesn’t mean that this is a good thing. So how does the public get to see these nominees and learn about their policies “from the horse’s mouth?” Via the press? Well, that can easily be one-sided and often includes only political commentators’ opinions or what the news media decides to present.

Debates can sway voters, especially independent voters.

Linda Heaphy, Apex

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 10:46 AM.