What difference does it make if the COVID-19 virus originated in China?
Many people are saying that we should boycott Chinese products, as if the Chinese intentionally loosed this plague on the world. That is absurd. China has suffered more than any other country.
Rather than blaming some people for the outbreak, we should all concentrate on following the recommendations of the epidemiologists and other experts to minimize the impact.
After the crisis passes, we can get back to blaming each other for everything.
Ernie Pierce, Ringgold, Georgia
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Sacrifice someone for virus? No thanks
It is unrealistic to think that the virus will disappear on its own without humans taking steps to prevent its spreading.
To let it take its course, as one senator and others seem to want to do, is unrealistic and will endanger first responders, nurses, physicians and other medical personnel, as well as the general public of all ages, especially those expecting babies, those with compromised immune systems, and those with underlying illnesses.
It is morally, and practically, wrong to ask people of whatever age to sacrifice themselves.
If people, including this senator, do not understand how the virus spreads, then they need to educate themselves and become more realistic about the need to fight this virus which is mindlessly spreading over the world.
If the virus were allowed to spread everywhere, countries would have to worry about having leaders who are virus free, workers who are virus free, teachers, ministers, farmers, stockbrokers, manufacturers, etc.
It is a kind of magical thinking to think that only old people would die if the virus spread.
Virginia M. Jones, Oak Ridge
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Consider carrier fleet as virus support
It seems to me that the people in charge of stemming the tide of the coronavirus are missing out on using one of our greatest assets.
The U.S. has 20 aircraft carriers which are, in effect, floating cities. Why are we not deploying them to the ports which are closest to the most affected areas and using them as regular hospitals, while the hospitals on land can handle virus patients? This would relieve some of the the stress on our health care system and give many potential hospital beds for routine but necessary procedures.
These floating cities are already manned, have all of the amenities and could be turned into a floating hospital with less work and people than having to build separate facilities. I certainly don’t know all the logistics, but it seems like it would be worth looking into. Just a thought.
Richard P. Sacilotto
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Our buildings, leaders are solid
On my first visit to our nation’s capitol in the late 1950s, I was impressively struck how sturdy our government buildings were constructed. It gave me an underlying feeling I was blessed to live, work and enjoy freedom in the most exceptional country in the world.
With no live TV sports, entertainment or the like going on, I recently found myself watching an update on the coronavirus situation. Again, I was emotionally moved by the number of capable public servants tackling another and different obstacle facing not only us but the world.
Our president, vice-president, Dr. Anthony Fauci and several government leaders gave an updated evaluation telling us exactly the current position we find ourselves in. No spin, no hype no political bias. Not only do we have sturdy architecture in Washington, we have a plethora of competent and truly patriotic public servants conscientiously serving the country’s populace. God continues to bless us.
Were we sent this malady to bring us back together? It’s hard to hate another when we both face the same enemy. Let’s use this unpleasantness as the impetus to show the world what we are made of.
Frank Harris, Soddy-Daisy