Too few people are wearing COVID-19 masks. Make them mandatory in NC.

Require masks

I applaud the measures Gov. Roy Cooper is considering for retailers and would like to add one. It should be mandatory that customers and employees wear masks in all retail establishments.

Too many people are wandering about grocery stores and pharmacies sans masks, and not social distancing to boot. Wearing a mask is not that hard since they can be anything from DIY sewn ones found on many websites, to a simple scarf. The CDC website has examples of no-sew masks, including one using a coffee filter and a piece of cloth. It’s easy to make. I know, because I made one.

If there is not going to be widespread voluntary compliance, wearing masks should be made mandatory and enforced by stores. There is precedent for this. Miami Beach has mandated masks and requires retailers to turn away customers who don’t comply.

North Carolina should be a leader in this area.

Liz Johnston, Raleigh

November election

Congress is debating another coronavirus stimulus bill. Democrats are advocating for funding to help states conduct November elections in a less risky manner. These common-sense measures include expanding voting by mail, extended early voting to thin lines, and expanded use of absentee voting.

President Trump’s reaction? He has instructed Congressional Republicans to “fight very hard when it comes to statewide mail-in voting” because “it doesn’t work well for Republicans.” The Republican House Speaker in Georgia said a proposed vote-by-mail option there for the May primary would be a disaster for his party.

It is obvious to me that the election/re-election of Republican candidates is of paramount importance to the Republican Party. Public health issues be damned.

Jim Witeck, Apex

Domestic violence

Necessary social distancing measures, such as shelter-in-place restrictions, have led to an increase in domestic violence. Calls to domestic violence hot-lines have risen 20-50%.

The N.C. legislative response to COVID-19 must include violence prevention funding to support shelters for domestic violence survivors. The state’s response package must also include funding that helps businesses support domestic violence survivors - e.g., funding hotel rooms for survivors or funding to help businesses implement a process for survivors to safely report their experience to the business and police.

At the federal level, N.C. Congressional representatives should support a fourth COVID-19 stimulus package to fund continued efforts to work towards the safety of survivors of domestic violence.

Rachel Siegal, Charlotte

Tillis’ town halls

One thing my husband and I have found especially comforting are the daily telephone town hall meetings Sen. Thom Tillis has held. We need more positive, reassuring help like this. He has worked effectively with President Trump and Gov. Roy Cooper in the fight against COVID-19. This reassures seniors like me, who weary of partisan bickering. Tillis voted for all three bipartisan virus relief packages, which will bring much needed relief to our state and nation.

At times like this we are all Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike. After all, the virus doesn’t discriminate and in fighting it neither should we.

Jeanne J. Smoot, Wake Forest

Unsung heroes

I am writing to praise a group of unsung heroes and heroines in this pandemic struggle: respiratory therapists. While we often thank doctors, nurses and first responders during this extraordinary global event, respiratory therapists are rarely mentioned. It is an extremely high exposure profession which involves skill, courage, dedication and selflessness. They are a critical link in the chain of care for the sickest of the sick. Many thanks to them all. I am so grateful.

Dr. Katherine Shea, Chapel Hill

Officer Bud

Thank you for the April 5 article about Officer Bud. He did indeed seem to be a superman, a man bigger than life itself. He made a lasting impact on those who were fortunate to know him. He touched the lives and hearts of all with whom he came in contact. Although a victim of the coronavirus, his legacy remains. Rest in peace, Officer Bud.

Nancy Simeonsson, Hillsborough

Duke Energy

Wednesday evening a storm toppled a huge tree, snapping power poles, taking down a transformer, and leaving a twisted mess of wires in Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood, a block from my home. Power was cut off to 1,120 homes, but within an hour power was restored to all but 50. Duke Energy engineers re-routed the power around the mess. I may not always like Duke’s policies, but their engineers and technicians are brilliant!

Matthew Brown, Raleigh

This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 12:27 PM.