Trump is OK with some workers risking their lives for suburbanites, but not living there

Essential workers

President Trump suggested that Joe Biden as president would destroy the suburbs by bringing in low-income housing. According to the president, that would mean lots of crime and violence which would destroy the suburban “American Dream.”

I find it ironic that many of these low-income people he finds such a threat are the same ones he declared essential workers. In April, meat processing plant workers were forced to stay on the job. Many were sickened and some died due to COVID-19. Most are low-income minorities, black and Hispanic.

Likewise, agricultural workers and nursing home aids, most of whom are low-income minorities, were deemed essential.

So in the presidents’ world it is quite OK for low-income minority people to risk their health and lives so suburbanites can have all the food they want and their health care needs met. But it is not OK for these people to populate the suburbs.

Furthermore, the president and his party refuse to raise the minimum wage so these essential workers can have a decent quality of life.

Walter Weathers, Durham

J. Peder Zane

Regarding “The left’s false narrative on the post office,” (Sept. 2 Opinion):

J. Peder Zane characterizes as a “false narrative” and a “conspiracy theory” the concern that the Trump administration is trying to undermine the U.S. Postal Service’s ability to handle absentee ballots. Somehow Zane neglects to mention the fact that Trump explicitly justified his opposition to an economic stimulus bill because it contained funding to help the U.S. Postal Service handle mail-in ballots. Why would any reasonable person worry?

Clyde Frazier, Chapel Hill

Congress, the USPS

I am glad the N&O published Zane’s op-ed column. It was a waste of taxpayer money and Congress’ time for the Democratic-controlled House to require the members to return to Washington to vote on a bill to fund the U.S. Postal Service. I hope all can see through this charade.

The USPS has been in decline for years and that will only continue because of the technological changes in the way we work and communicate.

Gordon Goeking, Raleigh

Movie theaters

Gyms and bars have felt they are being treated unfairly in Gov. Roy Cooper’s reopening plans. If anything, movie theaters are being treated even worse.

Movie theaters both large and small have established various cleaning and social distancing plans, including capacity restrictions, spaced seating, a reduced concession menu, suspension of alcohol sales, and controlled showtimes.

What does Cooper see in movie theaters that makes him want to keep them closed while most other businesses are open? Almost every other state has faith in these venues.

It’s time to give these businesses a chance to show that they’re ready to reopen. These theaters will not survive if they don’t open soon, and they can’t pivot to drive-in shows due to cost and technical and physical limits.

Joseph Wells, Apex

Clean air, water

Presently the political debate appears to be centered on the issues of racial injustice and the pandemic. Rarely, if at all, are the differences in approaches to climate change discussed. However there are connections between climate change and the conditions that contribute to it, such as producing electricity by burning carbon based fuels.

Air pollution appears to have an adverse effect on the body’s ability to fight COVID-19. Unfortunately, many Black and Brown people live in areas that have high levels of air and water pollution.

We should not continue producing electricity by burning fossil fuels. We should insist that Duke Energy embark on a program to replace all coal and natural gas plants with renewable energies, such as solar with battery storage.

We should also encourage the governor to do everything in his power to achieve this goal as quickly as possible.

We deserve clean air and water.

Bill Dolbow, Durham

Trail emergencies

Last Sunday, I was on my daily run on the American Tobacco Trail when I came upon a severely injured woman who had just had a bike accident. I called 911. It took 20 minutes for them to arrive but they did not have a key to the street access gate. We waited another 15 minutes for the fire department to arrive and open it.

I walk this trail daily and see many elderly walkers, runners and bikers. I worry that if one were badly hurt on the trail, or had a heart attack/stroke, help would not arrive in time.

There is a simple fix the city needs to implement ASAP. All paramedics should be able to open these gates. Nobody should have to wait 40 minutes for emergency care, especially if time is not on their side. This is a no-brainer and should be an easy fix

Ann Brandt, Durham