Trump’s priority is the health of the American people, so stop picking apart his decisions

Support Trump

I don’t think anyone can truly appreciate President Trump’s position. With one hand he’s trying to prevent a total economic depression, with the other he’s trying to save as many lives as possible.

For Trump, the health of the people far outweighs his own ambitions, as demonstrated by his willingness to listen to and act on the advice of top health advisors instead of bending under the pressures applied by companies eager to return to business as usual.

People so easily judge when the weight of the title of president is not fathomable to most. We should be supporting this man, not picking apart every decision and statement he makes.

Brittany Sigman, Stem

President’s postcard

I was appalled to receive a postcard from the White House and CDC titled “President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America.” As usual Trump wants to turn any situation, no matter how catastrophic, into a spotlight moment for him. But now is the time for the spotlight to be on the health care professionals furiously working to combat this pandemic.

It is outrageous that taxpayer money was spent on this postcard when all funds should go toward acquiring supplies for our health care workers as they fight to save the lives.

The heartbreak is that Trump is appropriating this time of national tragedy for political gain. Please remember this in November. Remove this man from office. The nation is at stake.

Nancy Merrick, Cary

Reconvene Senate

I may only be a physician scientist-in-training, but as a virologist, it was abundantly clear that the COVID-19 virus needed to be treated with the gravity necessary to curtail its spread.

Over two months ago, the U.S. needed to implement aggressive screening and testing, combined with contact tracing. That did not happen. The tests were not ready and stewardship of limited resources was the next best option. It was not enough.

We continue to have decisions that require immediate action — action that cannot wait for April 20 when Congress reconvenes. Surely more decisions will arise before then. The U.S. Senate needs to go back into session and should never have gone into recess amidst this national crisis. Too much work remains to be done and not all of it can be done by health care staff and scientists.

Cesar Lopez, Carrboro

Trump’s gut

President Trump’s gut told him the trade war with China would last only a few months. His gut told him Russia had nothing to do with meddling in the 2016 election. It told him the coronavirus would last only a few weeks and we’d be back to normal.

Trump is now complicit in the loss of thousands of lives due to listening to his gut — and the Republicans still won’t hold him accountable. Only pleadings from the coronavirus task force convinced Trump that 2 million U.S. lives could be lost if he continued listening to his gut.

It is past time for Republican Party members to honor their oaths and hold Trump and his gut accountable. Trump, his gut and the Republicans have done irreparable damage to the country.

Robert E. Turner, Raleigh

NC jobless

North Carolina’s unemployment insurance program only covers 10% of those who apply. However, with the federal government expanding its unemployment program to include contract and gig workers, now is the time for the N.C. General Assembly to make our state system work for those who would otherwise be left out during what’s sure to be a taxing financial time. If left unchanged, the state’s policies will negatively impact those who need help the most.

Victor Feraru, High Point

Liveable wages

Regarding “Government emergency policy responses should be realistic,” (March 27 Opinion):

I’ll give the old one-handed clap for the op-ed by academics at the Mercatus Center. Mercatus is heavily funded by the Koch foundation, whose primary goal is to introduce business-friendly legislation in place of wholesale purchase of politicians.

To say that giving the least among us a monthly allowance in addition to the paltry unemployment insurance sets a bad precedent because it will incentivize poor saving habits is absurd on its face. Perhaps, if employers paid livable wages their workers might be able to save for a rainy day.

Gary Filippi, Holly Springs

Durham’s mayor

Let’s hear it for Durham Mayor, Steve Schewel! In the face of uncertainty and fear he has stepped in to make some very difficult and timely decisions that will ultimately reduce the COVID-19 death and infection rate. “Short-term” pain now will result in a quicker exit from the confinement we’re all experiencing. Thank you, mayor. I don’t like this anymore than you but I very much appreciate your leadership in making us do it.

Carol Anderson, Durham

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 12:10 PM.