Tillis is wrong. The rise in virus cases in NC is not the Hispanic community’s fault.

Sen. Thom Tillis

Regarding “US senator — without data — says NC Hispanics get COVID more due to not wearing masks,” (July 16):

Sen. Thom Tillis claimed North Carolina’s COVID-19 spike was the result of our “Hispanic population” not wearing masks and social distancing. The real cause of the spike is Tillis’ inaction.

Each bill Congress has moved into law has left millions of people without access to COVID-related testing and treatment. Many are essential workers, including immigrants.

Tillis and the Senate must move immediately to protect the health of the country by ensuring access to testing and treatment for everyone, regardless of immigration status. All Congress needs to do is include a line in the next relief package that ensures COVID-related services are available under emergency Medicaid, so that immigrant eligibility restrictions do not apply.

Tillis would rather point the finger at the Latinx community than take responsibility for Congress’ failure to adequately respond to the pandemic.

Stefania Arteaga, Raleigh

ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Organizer

President Trump

Many Americans admire and trust our president. They follow his lead, betting their lives and livelihoods on his interpretation of the pandemic and his advice on how to cope. The costs of following him continue to mount in lost health, wealth and life.

I am disheartened by President Trump’s wishful thinking that COVID-19 may miraculously disappear. His apparent failure to grasp the developing science around this novel pathogen is frightening. His inability to lead America through narrow pathways that preserve individual liberty where possible, yet promote good health for all, is a grave failure in my eyes.

I am a Republican who spent my professional life promoting good health for individuals and groups. I will not cast my vote for Trump’s re-election.

Penelope Slade-Sawyer, Raleigh

Former NC Director of Public Health and U.S. Assistant Surgeon General

NC school plan

If we care about curbing the spread of coronavirus and lowering the number of deaths, there are only two questions we should ask ourselves:

▪ Can kids, if infected, spread the virus to the rest of the population? The answer is: Yes.

▪ Do kids live isolated from the rest of the population? No.

The course of the action is obvious: We should reimpose restrictions we had in April and start the school year online statewide. We can re-evaluate in a month.

Nino Vinkovic, Pittsboro

Help NC schools

There is no debate that reopening schools is going to be a challenge. It is a quagmire, to be certain. Right or wrong, it’s going to happen. Now, let’s focus on the next goal.

Now is the time for politicians we elected to put boots on the ground, step out into their communities and help. I hope to see all legislators and community leaders on school campuses the first week of school.

If students and staff are truly their main concern, they’ll be there. Schools will need all the help they can get; just getting kids in the door with mandatory daily temperature checks will be a challenge.

Quit debating and arguing. Do something constructive for your community. That’s called “civics” for those who didn’t pay attention in school. It’s kind of a big deal.

Heather Erickson, New Bern

Teacher sick days

I’d like the governor and General Assembly to consider providing sick leave for teachers and other education personnel who will be in schools when students return this fall. Any teacher who tests positive for the virus and has to quarantine for 14 days, will certainly consume much of their accumulated sick leave. They should not have to use up their personal sick leave to quarantine.

Randy Marshall, Hillsborough

Sen. Phil Berger

Sen. Phil Berger was elected to help find solutions to our state’s problems. Instead of asking what parents who can’t work from home should do, Berger should take his feet off his desk and come up with an answer.

He might start with fixing the N.C. unemployment system, among the worst in the U.S., and come up with financial help for schools to reopen effectively. Expanding Medicaid would be a tremendous help to those who can’t stay home (essential workers) since they’re the population most affected by COVID.

Dinging Gov. Cooper’s and Dr. Cohen’s attempts to present a workable solution with limited resources is not an answer.

Rich McCreery, Cary

A personal plea

I have an adult child with disabilities living in a nearby state facility. The virus prevents him from the home visits he loves and he doesn’t understand why. I wish more people could see the brave, dedicated staff at his center, wearing extra face coverings at their already challenging jobs — and smiling! If only we would all think collectively during this crisis. The sooner we distance, respectfully cover our faces, and faithfully follow science guidelines, the sooner my sweet son can come home. Thank you for helping make this happen.

Linda Sutton, Durham