Durham’s online-only plan is another form of ‘separate but equal’ schools. Revise it.

Reopen schools

Durham Public Schools will begin as virtual only, until the middle of October. Offering online-only public schooling is another form of separate but equal schooling.

There are built-in advantages for some families and insurmountable obstacles for others. It is unequal to offer any instruction if there is no in-class option.

Offering online-only classes allows advantages for wealthier families because they’re more likely to own new computers, have hi-speed internet, and a college-educated parent at home during school hours to keep students engaged.

When in-class school resumes, children from wealthier families will return to the classroom more prepared to be chosen for advanced and AP classes, which will create a further imbalance.

Make school available and equal for everyone. It’s only fair.

Earl Edwards, Durham

Return to classrooms

In today’s COVID-19 environment it is difficult to know who to believe and what advice to follow. We’re told by our political leaders to believe the “experts,” wear masks and social distance. Good advice.

The American Academy of Pediatrics calls for schools to reopen in a way that is “safe for all students, teachers and staff” and says decisions should be based on science, not politics.

Our leaders must agree to make decisions in the best interest of our children. If they remain paralyzed by fear or continue to act out of self-interest we risk ensuring a generation of young adults who lack the social skills and independent reasoning that results from a classroom education.

Experts say continuing to keep children home or educate them via remote learning has the potential to do more harm than sending our children back to the classroom safely. Maybe it is time to listen to the experts.

Scott Dillon, Cary

UNC system cuts

UNC Board of Governor’s has asked the chancellors at each university in the system to provide information on the consequences of a 25 and 50% cut in state funds. I hope and trust that it will be used to have a discussion with the legislature on the dire consequences of a cut of anywhere near that magnitude.

North Carolina’s university system is a crown jewel among public universities in the U.S. It is essential that it be preserved.

The pandemic is horrible and costly. One of the many costs is the price to preserve the UNC system. Our university system is a critical economic engine for the state that provides tremendous educational opportunities for its residents and an educated workforce for our public and private sector employers. Unlike an engine that runs out of gas, we cannot simply fill the tank and start back up. We need to keep the UNC system running so that it is at full strength when the pandemic eases.

Morton Barlaz, Raleigh

Engineering professor, N.C. State University

Law and order

We all want law and order. But those who claim to want it most and support the idea of storm troopers exacting their version of it on the streets of America actually want only half: Order.

They do not want the law part. The throngs protesting in the streets are the ones seeking law. They are petitioning their government to restore our broken rule of law, the backbone of our Constitution, by freely assembling and freely speaking.

Our president vilifies and libels these patriots, calling them anarchists, though he well knows they are really conscientious Americans of all ethnicities and ages seeking the justice that comes with, and only with, the inviolable rule of law.

So, yes, let’s have law and order and plenty of it. Let’s shame Congress into forcing a restoration of the intentionally broken rule of law and bring about a level playing field where every person is treated the same before the law. Order will surely follow.

Curt Welborne, Hillsborough

Health care coverage

It was with great dismay that I read that nearly a quarter million North Carolinians have lost their health coverage since February due to coronavirus-driven layoffs.

This underscores the urgency of action by our leaders in Washington to assist families in affording replacement coverage while the COVID-19 pandemic rages. They should also bolster small business coverage to prevent even more North Carolinians from losing their employer-provided insurance.

This is a great opportunity for Sen. Thom Tillis and the rest of our congressional delegation to demonstrate their support for hard-working families who have been devastated by the COVID-19 recession. Let’s find a bipartisan solution to help people remain or get covered, so they can access medical care, stay healthy, and contribute their talents to make sure our economy comes roaring back.

Rev. Gilbert Parker, Fuquay-Varina