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From a Coronavirus Victim’s Sister: Mobilize on the Home Front From a Coronavirus Victim’s Sister: Mobilize on the Home Front
(32 minutes later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “The Rapid Road From Fevers to Final Goodbyes” (front page, March 22):Re “The Rapid Road From Fevers to Final Goodbyes” (front page, March 22):
My sister Barbara was one of the first to die at Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash. As I isolate at home, reading about the extreme shortages of medical and safety equipment, I’m wanting to act! How can the millions of those at home help those who are caring for us?My sister Barbara was one of the first to die at Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash. As I isolate at home, reading about the extreme shortages of medical and safety equipment, I’m wanting to act! How can the millions of those at home help those who are caring for us?
Since we have no leadership at the top, we are left on our own. Our parents and grandparents planted Victory gardens and bought war bonds, and factories were retooled for war supplies, in World War II. This is our war and our chance as citizens to act.Since we have no leadership at the top, we are left on our own. Our parents and grandparents planted Victory gardens and bought war bonds, and factories were retooled for war supplies, in World War II. This is our war and our chance as citizens to act.
For example, if many of our medical supplies come from China and the factories are months behind, how can we make them here? We need to coordinate our own citizens to retool factories or make things at home or whatever is needed.For example, if many of our medical supplies come from China and the factories are months behind, how can we make them here? We need to coordinate our own citizens to retool factories or make things at home or whatever is needed.
I know we have so much heart and innovation and millionaires and billionaires and great people who could mobilize immediately. We need to get to work to make sure that those on the front lines have what they need.I know we have so much heart and innovation and millionaires and billionaires and great people who could mobilize immediately. We need to get to work to make sure that those on the front lines have what they need.
Meri DreyfussKirkland, Wash. Meri DreyfussSan Rafael, Calif.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
As a small-business owner I am painfully aware of the shared sacrifices that we are all making. We closed our showrooms to the public and asked all our employees (including myself) to take a reduction in pay. So as our employees make huge sacrifices and prepare for possible layoffs, what do they see from our president and Congress?As a small-business owner I am painfully aware of the shared sacrifices that we are all making. We closed our showrooms to the public and asked all our employees (including myself) to take a reduction in pay. So as our employees make huge sacrifices and prepare for possible layoffs, what do they see from our president and Congress?
As everyone’s 401(k) has shrunk rapidly, they read about Senator Richard Burr’s incredible foresight (cough) to sell more than a million dollars of stocks shortly before the market tanked.As everyone’s 401(k) has shrunk rapidly, they read about Senator Richard Burr’s incredible foresight (cough) to sell more than a million dollars of stocks shortly before the market tanked.
As we implement the six feet away social distancing, they see our president shaking hands and holding briefings with people clearly not six feet apart.As we implement the six feet away social distancing, they see our president shaking hands and holding briefings with people clearly not six feet apart.
As employees across the country are urged to stay home if they are not feeling well, they see Senator Rand Paul blithely working out at the Senate gym while waiting for the results of his coronavirus test.As employees across the country are urged to stay home if they are not feeling well, they see Senator Rand Paul blithely working out at the Senate gym while waiting for the results of his coronavirus test.
And senators, what do you say to all the owners of gym facilities across the country who have been forced to close while you continue to ignorantly work out in your tax-funded gym?And senators, what do you say to all the owners of gym facilities across the country who have been forced to close while you continue to ignorantly work out in your tax-funded gym?
Here’s an idea for you, Mr. President and Congress: Immediately reduce your salary to the exact same amount that you intend to allocate to the millions of people who have lost their jobs and savings. And while you’re at it, close the damn gym.Here’s an idea for you, Mr. President and Congress: Immediately reduce your salary to the exact same amount that you intend to allocate to the millions of people who have lost their jobs and savings. And while you’re at it, close the damn gym.
Elliot UchitelleSt. LouisElliot UchitelleSt. Louis
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “‘If I Caught the Coronavirus, Would You Want Me Making Your Next Meal?’” (Opinion Video, nytimes.com, March 19):Re “‘If I Caught the Coronavirus, Would You Want Me Making Your Next Meal?’” (Opinion Video, nytimes.com, March 19):
During this Covid-19 crisis, it is critical for McDonald’s to continue to safely serve families, the elderly, first responders and health care workers delicious meals they need every day by drive-through, carryout and delivery service.During this Covid-19 crisis, it is critical for McDonald’s to continue to safely serve families, the elderly, first responders and health care workers delicious meals they need every day by drive-through, carryout and delivery service.
On March 10, McDonalds announced that employees at company-owned restaurants will get two weeks’ paid sick leave if they have been exposed to or have Covid-19. McDonald’s also supported the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This means that those employed by a large percentage of McDonalds franchisees will be paid for two weeks if they are affected by Covid-19.On March 10, McDonalds announced that employees at company-owned restaurants will get two weeks’ paid sick leave if they have been exposed to or have Covid-19. McDonald’s also supported the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This means that those employed by a large percentage of McDonalds franchisees will be paid for two weeks if they are affected by Covid-19.
Providing calm and comfort to our customers, employees and communities is what McDonalds is all about. We are all in this together.Providing calm and comfort to our customers, employees and communities is what McDonalds is all about. We are all in this together.
Dave TovarChicagoThe writer is vice president for U.S. corporate relations, McDonalds USA.Dave TovarChicagoThe writer is vice president for U.S. corporate relations, McDonalds USA.