Amid coronavirus, safety of immigrant workers must come first on NC farms
Show immigrant workers respect
Regarding “How the coronavirus affects NC agriculture and farm workers,” (March 30):
By saying that immigrant farm workers are “a very safe population, because these are not world travelers,” and “These guys have not been in China or Italy,” Lee Wicker of the N.C. Growers Association simultaneously degrades the world-traveling these immigrants have done to come work on North Carolina’s farms and embodies an insensitive attitude toward our Chinese and Italian neighbors.
Wicker does not have a plan to protect workers when the virus hits their communities and he communicates through poor planning that the health and safety of these individuals is far less important than his own industry concerns. I wonder if he would act differently if his life were on the line.
Lindsay Grier, Charlotte
At briefings, heed your own advice
I am always amazed when watching the frequent COVID-19 updates on TV from various government officials. There are frequently a number of individuals standing shoulder-to-shoulder while advising us how important “social distancing” is during these trying times.
There appears to be little concern during many of these updates about virus spread. That’s not a good example for viewers. It’s a perfect example of “do as I say, not as I do.”
Bill Cunningham, Charlotte
Meck has unrealistic expectations
The COVID-19 virus pandemic is serious, but local authorities must realize their limits to control human behavior.
Complaining that there are too many people congregating in Charlotte parks, while threatening stern measures to constrict public gatherings, does more harm than good. We are facing a public health crisis. But expecting our fellow citizens to shut themselves indoors for the undetermined future is unrealistic.
No, we cannot accept sacrificing older Americans for the sake of the economy, as one “pro-life” conservative seemed to suggest. But insisting that our friends and neighbors isolate themselves indoors will only lead to severe consequences when the next pandemic strikes, as it will - with potentially far more lethal results.
Michael A. Clark, Charlotte
On virus, listen to truth-tellers
Regarding Dana Ervin “COVID-19 disinformation: Back away from the keyboard,” (March 29 Opinion):
Thank you for the op-ed asking us to back away from the keyboards given the extent of disinformation.
The line we must use when we see incredulous Facebook posts or hear fabricated conspiracy theories (like Bill Gates concocted COVID-19 to make money) or the simple echoing of misinformation by the president, is “I would encourage you to listen to the truth-tellers.” When asked, you can mention the doctors and scientists. If asked to elaborate further, you can say “Listen to the people not patting themselves on the back telling what a great job they are doing.
Keith Wilson, Charlotte
How Charlotte can beat coronavirus
Like most problems, COVID-19 will not simply go away by ignoring it. It requires a unified, cohesive approach as a community.
It requires a community where employers offer paid leave to employees not deemed “essential,” where local and state government offers rental assistance to those in need, and a community mindful of our homeless neighbors.
It requires a community that offers financial assistance to small businesses to ensure they can stay afloat, corporations that prioritize employees’ health and well being over economic gain, and where staying home with your family to protect others takes precedence.
It’s time take this seriously, stay home, follow social distancing guidelines, and be more unified in our actions than ever before, Charlotte. That is the only way we’ll win this battle.
Jorge Millares, Charlotte
What’s antiquated about US health care
Isn’t saying that U.S. health care is the best money can buy, in essence saying “Your money or your life”?
We pay twice as much for health care as other advanced countries and get much worse outcomes per-capita. Our life expectancy is lower and infant mortality higher.
The U.S. is exceptional mainly in its antiquated health care for-profit model, labyrinth administration, and hidden costs that leave so many without health care, in medical bankruptcy, and also result in higher elder suicide.
Tom E. Bowers, Charlotte
