Gov. Cooper relies on science, facts. Raleigh restaurant was wrong to malign him.

Gov. Cooper

It was recently reported that a restaurant in Raleigh has posted a sign on its door stating the rules about social distancing inside the restaurant. Essentially, it says there are no rules. People can sit wherever they want.

In this time of the very real danger of catching a serious virus, that message was disturbing. However, what was most disturbing about the sign was that in the message, Gov. Roy Cooper was called “Goober Cooper.” Not funny.

Our governor is doing the best he can possibly do to protect the health of all the people of our state. That is a heavy responsibility. He relies on science, facts, and the advice of experts to help him make hard decisions. He is respectful of all North Carolinians and does not resort to childish name-calling. Our entire nation is hurting in many ways, but healing cannot begin until we all start respecting each other and our differences. Name-calling has no place in the healing process.

Ellen Reeves, Raleigh

Travel restrictions

When the COVID-19 virus was roaring in New York and New Jersey, I observed a dramatic increase in cars from New York and New Jersey in our area. Gov. Cooper placed no restrictions on New Yorkers or New Jerseyans. Now, the N.Y. and N.J. governors are restricting travel from eight states. There is no evidence that restricting travel between states affects the infection rate. If there was, then Cooper negligently failed to restrict travelers from the high infection states that are now treating North Carolinians like lepers.

Does anyone see a connection between the politicization of policies related to the COVID-19 virus and the ignoring and distortion of data? We need a governor with backbone to stand up for us and not base policy decisions on politics.

Mario Paparozzi, Kure Beach

Thanks, governor

Thank you Gov. Cooper for mandating face covers in the state of North Carolina. Your forethought in leadership and direction makes us feel more secure and hopeful as we now move forward to help alleviate the spread of this coronavirus.

Celia S. Kiffor, Apex

Nursing center visits

Across our state, residents of long-term care facilities are suffering mental and physical decline, and death, because of state policies intended to protect them from COVID-19.

For example, Alston Brook Nursing Home in Lexington erected a portable picture window-sized, three-sided, Plexiglas structure that allows residents to see visitors, yet provides a barrier to prevent spread. Residents and visitors also wear masks.

State regulators determined it was not in compliance with the governor’s executive order and insisted the facility cease and desist or face fines and penalties. This madness must end.

We hear similar stories from families every day. We implore Gov. Cooper to direct DHHS staff to identify and promote practices that allow consideration of health and safety concerns in this pandemic, but which also address the psycho-social needs of these residents and the staff caring for them.

William Lamb,

Board president, Friends of Residents in Long Term Care

Gentrification

Little wonder that author James Baldwin called urban renewal “negro removal.” Yes, these programs have been racist.

What compassion do developers and buyers show the host community when a $500,000 house is built next to a $50,000 home? People have had their consciousness raised in significant numbers to know that white supremacy is on the way out, by the will of the people. Now, we need our city leaders, planners and capital markets to get on the bus and reimagine how we set things right in Raleigh. Let’s stop it with the “negro removal” plans.

It’s time we did Raleigh proud and replaced gentrification with a vision and plans informed by values and actions born of cooperation and mutual self-respect.

Daniel Coleman, Raleigh

A Republican voter

I proudly voted for Republican presidential candidates from Reagan through Romney. But I cannot vote for President Trump. I believe he is a danger to our democracy.

He seeks to undermine the independence of the Department of Justice, military, and other crucial American institutions. He endangers our nation by mocking our allies and embracing dictators from Russia, China, and North Korea. He uses American generals for photo ops, but he won’t listen to them.

He added to the national debt even in times of high employment and prosperity by cutting taxes, mostly for the wealthy. These are not Republican principles.

He has ignored science and shown no leadership in dealing with COVID-19. He has divided, rather than unified, America as we confront a crisis of racial injustice.

Our country can’t take four more years of this.

Mark A. Barton, Cary

This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 12:04 PM.