When VP Pence visits Raleigh on Thursday I hope he has the decency to wear a mask

VP Mike Pence

When Vice President Mike Pence visits Raleigh this week, I hope he has the decency to wear a mask, not only to protect others but to set an example.

He was tasked in February with leading the response to COVID-19 and has failed miserably by succumbing to President Trump’s vanity and conspiracy theories. We’ve crossed the threshold of 180,000 dead in the U.S.

We were recently told by medical experts that wearing masks could save 66,000 lives. Yet this “pro-life” vice president spent the last night of the Republican convention in a crowd of mostly unmasked people, shaking hands and greeting supporters.

The damage he has done can’t be undone, but perhaps the Raleigh visit would be a good time for him to start taking the virus seriously and try to lead. Better late than never!

Mark Slattery, Raleigh

Trump’s message

Thank you President Trump for reminding this conservative traditionally Republican senior citizen of your complete lack of leadership on COVID.

On the same day N.C. registered its highest number of cases this month; on the same day N.C. State announced it was sending students home, Trump hosted what amounted to a campaign rally for 1,500 on the White House lawn with zero social distancing, virtually no masks.

Is this the kind of leadership we want for our country? Are we OK telling our children and grandchildren that there is one set of pandemic rules for the president and his closest followers, and another set for the other 330 million citizens? Shameful!

Jay Copan, Raleigh

NC Republicans

The ongoing corruption, lying and hypocrisy of N.C. Republican politicians continues to stun me every day, the latest being Sen. Rick Gunn who is being sued for alienation of affection for an alleged affair with his legislative aide.

These pious hypocrites disgust me more and more, yet their followers look past all this and somehow think these are honorable men who are trying to save us from evil Democrats. Lining their pockets and pretending to be Christian, they are showing us every day who they really are.

Hopefully there are enough smart, caring citizens in N.C. who are as sick of them as I am. We must get rid of politicians like this in November and restore decency to our nation and state.

John Pittman, Cary

Black lives matter

Do Black lives matter? Some would say “all lives matter,” but I would argue that throughout the history of our country, Black lives have not really mattered.

For the Africans who were kidnapped, put in chains, and sold like cargo, did their lives matter? For slaves who were beaten, raped and witnessed their children being sold away, did their lives matter?

What about the thousands of Blacks lynched by mobs? The three girls killed in the Birmingham church bombing? The peaceful marchers attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge? Did their lives matter?

White Americans (myself included) would like to believe that things are different now, but ask George Floyd’s family if they believe that. It’s time to acknowledge that Black lives haven’t mattered and work to change that.

Rhonda Crutchfield, Raleigh

Unruly protesters

It’s getting more difficult to distinguish the peaceful protesters for racial justice from the criminal element among them. The criminals are beginning to hurt the image of the responsible and more professional advocates of change. Surely thousands among them in Raleigh and elsewhere support the cause for equality, but not the unruly behavior of the irresponsible.

Ugly events in Kenosha and elsewhere are no reason to tear down Raleigh, a typically progressive and peaceful city. Destruction of personal and public property, threats and assaults, are no path to a better life for anyone.

Sadly, small business owners who welcome people of all races as friends and customers, pay the price of broken windows, fires and loss of merchandise. Police also find themselves targets of injury and curses. I thank them, as I think most people do.

Leonard Wilson, Raleigh

Rapid COVID tests

The White House purchased 150 million rapid Covid-19 tests last week to get people back to work and school. Abbott Laboratories anticipates producing 50 milllion tests a month by October, tests which can detect infection in 15 minutes.

Will N.C. officials allow family members to see loved ones this year for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Will we be able to arrange an appointment for a rapid test at the facility and wait for results?

We are mourning the loss of loved ones who are still alive. My 95-year-old mom may not be alive next year. COVID is not going anywhere this year. Staffers are overwhelmed and need families to return.

I ask Gov. Roy Cooper to please help all families return to facilities for the holidays!

Maggie Cole, Cary

This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 12:16 PM.