As COVID-19 takes hold in America, we have seen heroes and fools among people who work or pretend to work to keep us safe. As a retired scientist, I depend on data and models to help me understand the world. Apparently, some of our leaders have learned that lesson and some have not.
Those who have are our heroes, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is brave enough to speak truth to power, especially in correcting the misstatements of the stable genius; the governors of California, New York, Illinois and Connecticut, who have issued shelter in place decrees; and Mayor Andy Berke of Chattanooga, who’s brave enough to restrict crowds.
The fools are those whose lack of intestinal fortitude will expose us to the coronavirus. They include our president, who is dangerous because of his lies and ignorance/refusal to learn; I am not sure which is worse.
Gov. Lee wants us to pray to get through this pandemic – really? Mayor Jim Coppinger is another who apparently has bought into the president’s and the governor’s lack of understanding of a pandemic. Fools, all of whom are dangerous to us.
Shelter in place and stay healthy.
James M. Hemsley
Offer more uplifting columns in these times
Kudos for publishing a commentary on the Chattanooga Times (left) op-ed page without even a smidgeon of anti-Trump sentiment. Columnist Rex Smith’s March 25 piece on developing worthwhile habits during this period of coronavirus adversity was useful, uplifting and informative.
Nearly 3 1/2 years into the relentless Trump bashing, it’s become almost impossible to find any liberal op-ed content that isn’t skewed hyper-Democrat. Trump and Republicans can do no right, while Democrats can do no wrong. Myopia isn’t a good look, even for opinion writers.
On the same page as the Smith column, columnist Dahleen Glanton complained the president is using daily virus updates for campaigning, then declared, “Americans need a president we can trust to move mountains … to keep us safe.” Wow, I thought the only one who can do that is God. Trump has claimed a lot of things, but being God isn’t one of them.
This being an election year, Democrats are taking every opportunity to assail his crisis response. What’s wrong with Trump asserting the positive steps he and his team have taken and continue to take?
I’d like to see some more practical, refreshing columns like the one Rex Smith wrote. We need them, especially now amid the pervasive gloom and doom.
Robert J. Tamasy
Hixson
Can’t pray the virus away, but we can act
Gov. Bill Lee says about COVID-19, he “bets on human nature and prayer.” Human nature? An example: The man in Hixson who was selling hand sanitizer at high prices. Prayer is good, but we cannot pray this virus away. Lee stressed significant financial steps, but we need action – most of all to increase hospital facilities and supplies. And we need it now!
So, Hamilton County must act to protect us. Here are a few suggestions that should have begun several weeks ago:
1) Hospitals find new spaces. Be creative. Convert buildings such as motels and arenas for medical facilities or build spaces to house and treat very ill patients.
2) Protective items for medical staff are in short supply. Some states and cities are giving instructions and asking people to sew masks, etc.
3) Encourage factories to produce ventilators, which are in short supply.
4) Plan for places where people who were hospitalized but recovering can be housed in order to open up beds for new, serious cases.
5) Encourage more people to stay home when possible, and check on elderly daily.
6) Do everything possible to get more tests for COVID-19.
Pat Ralston