Governor Cooper is getting pressure to reopen NC. He must stand his ground.

Cooper must resist pressure to reopen

Regarding “NC Gov. Cooper: ‘Testing, tracing, trends’ need work before businesses, schools reopen,” (April 15):

I commend Gov. Roy Cooper for putting the interests of North Carolinians and Americans first during these unprecedented times. He is getting pressure to reopen the state for business, but I would encourage him to join with other governors in the East/West pact, using science as a basis of making these decisions.

My husband has gone to half-pay and his job is not secure. My family depends on a healthy economy, but rushing these decisions could reinvigorate the virus. Everyone’s suffering will be in vain if we have to start from scratch.

I urge Cooper to stand his ground and do what is right for the people of this state and country.

Chelsea Mellon, Charlotte

GOP’s rainy day fund is helping NC

Regarding “Tax cap handcuffs NC virus response,” (April 16 Editorial):

If it wasn’t for Republicans building a “rainy day fund” in spite of Democrats’ opposition we would be in much worse shape today. Despite record tax receipts Democrats always want more. It would be refreshing for a change to hear them discuss how to better manage the money taxpayers give them. I’m not holding my breath.

James McCall, Taylorsville

Those in food sector need more help

I applaud chef Ashley Christensen for her April 14 op-ed, a well-written assessment of the serious economic damage experienced by the entire food chain, from farmers, to distributors, restaurants, caterers, and all those who work in this sector.

For many entrepreneurs, food service is a life-long pursuit, and most restaurants are locally owned small businesses. We need a comprehensive financial infusion of cash, grants and interest free loans to this sector.

Where was the National Restaurant Association in the lobbying efforts to get this covered under CARES? How did large businesses carve out 23% of this money with small business only 26%? It’s just not acceptable.

Anita Skogland, Charlotte

NC GOP to blame on jobless benefits

To the many now having to apply for unemployment benefits - how does it feel knowing North Carolina has the lowest unemployment compensation in the U.S.? It wasn’t always that way. Not long ago, when I found myself applying for unemployment benefits, the benefit was over $500 per week. Then-Gov. Pat McCrory and his Republican cohorts cut that benefit in half and it has been further reduced by Republican legislators since then.

That is what they think of you. Let them know what you think of them next November.

Gene Kavadlo, Charlotte

Federal response was inadequate

Regarding “In briefings, Trump is a breath of fresh air,” (April 14 Forum):

Yes, Donald Trump was a businessman, a failed one. Can you imagine if a competent politician was leading this country in this time of crisis? I can. There would have been an immediate response to the outbreak. There would be capable people in charge of the offices we must rely on. There would not have been a tax cut that let corporations use their profits to buy back their own stocks and inflate the market.

No one could have foreseen this crisis, but a competent government could have blunted its impact. Unfortunately, we were woefully unprepared.

Kelley L. Walker, Hickory

Depriving taxpayers access to parks

The unbelievably bad decision by Mecklenburg County to bar cars from public parks is the quintessential example of collectivist overreach.

In these challenging times, it excludes citizens from getting much needed outdoor recreation in their own parks - unless they happen to live within walking or biking distance.

I sincerely doubt the rule will prevent additional transmissions of COVID-19, and even if it did I don’t think a few extra cases would make a perceptible difference in “flattening the curve.”

Unfortunately, our “government-knows-best” local leaders cannot resist any opportunity to tell us what to do. They insist on depriving us of access to amenities we own and need.

Steven P. Nesbit, Charlotte

Numbers put virus in perspective for me

Many media outlets compare U.S. and Italy’s COVID-19 cases and deaths without comparing our populations. We have more cases and deaths because we have five times the population. We have fewer deaths per capita. The many illnesses and deaths we’re experiencing are tragic, but no one should frighten people by making our situation sound worse than it is.

Joyce McLaren, Mooresville