Lt. Gov. Dan Forest would lift North Carolina’s mask mandate. That’s just reckless.

Dan Forest

Regarding “Forest says no masks mandate if he’s governor,” (Sept. 17):

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest says “all science is based upon skepticism.” How reckless of him it would be to lift mandated masks, particularly in schools, and expose our teachers and students to infection compromising their health and possibly their lives.

We’ve seen how premature openings in other states and reckless behavior by individuals, in the name of individual freedom, have resulted in an increase in infection and deaths.

The notion of individual freedom assumes a link with responsibility toward others and our greater society. I have to wonder if Forest would feel the same way if his children were not home-schooled. I suggest he catch up on science and find something else to campaign on.

John Dowd, Raleigh

Reopening schools

Regarding “State GOP leaders press Cooper for full reopening of schools,” (Sept. 17) and related articles:

As a retired university faculty member, I am in complete agreement that there is much to be gained from in-class teaching and learning. Students not only are able to socialize and expand their acquaintances, but the personal interactions with an educator with a dedicated interest in their development is a very critical aspect of K-12 education.

I am holding out very fond hopes that the interest among parents for classroom education for their children will also mean that they are firmly committed to having highly qualified and adequately compensated teachers with sufficient resources available to provide the education their children deserve.

Perhaps these concerned parents will work to convince the N.C. General Assembly that education in the classroom is critical and should be much better funded than it currently is. An army of concerned parents might be able to have a very significant effect on budgeting by the legislature.

Larry Wolf, Garner

Senate debate

Regarding “Cunningham: I’d be ‘hesitant’ to take vaccine that’s developed this year,” (Sept. 16):

Sen. Thom Tillis is apparently gloating over Cal Cunningham’s minor “gaffe” about getting a COVID-19 vaccination. I for one have little interest in Cunningham’s personal plans. What interests me far more, as it should other voters, is that Tillis, as we approach 200,000 COVID-19 deaths, has maintained his silence on President Trump misleading Americans on the seriousness of this pandemic. Tillis is therefore complicit with Trump in causing so many unnecessary deaths. Voters should remember this as they mark their ballots and not be distracted by Tillis’ absurd diversionary tactic.

Jim Witeck, Apex

Vaccines

A question that arose out of the Senate debate was whether or not to be “hesitant” taking a vaccine that may have been rushed to the public for political reasons. A similar situation arose with swine flu in 1976 while I was in the Navy.

During that election year, President Gerald Ford’s administration rushed a vaccine into production and went on a campaign to vaccinate every American. We, in the military, were ordered to take the vaccine. It was later stopped after 25% of the population had been inoculated because of an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

I agree with Cal Cunningham that we don’t need to be blind lemmings to take an untested cure which may be rolled out just to aid President Trump’s re-election.

While I trusted that Ford would not have rolled out something which would hurt millions, I don’t have the same faith in this president.

Charlie Porter, Willow Spring

Conservative voters

As someone concerned about our country’s direction on so many issues, I find it a bit relieving to hear when conservative voters come to new realizations. An organization, Republican Voters Against Trump asks conservative voters, “Are you a Republican, ex-Republican, or Trump-voter who won’t support the president in November?” It was interesting to watch video testimonials (many hundreds) providing a wide range of thoughts, from all walks of life, and from nearly every state.

Contrary to what we may think, some conservative voters do “get it.”

Mark Gill, Chapel Hill

Party affiliation

My fellow Americans, the time has come to forget party affiliation, and use our common sense. Partisanship and selfish, unethical politics has now surpassed statesmanship and patriotism.

I will not be voting for a single incumbent this fall. I know the argument, “but there are good folks up there.” Maybe, but it’s simply too late, and too complicated for the average citizen to identify those worth saving.

So, they will be collateral damage on my ballot. Sorry, but they have had their chance.

Ed Holloway, Raleigh