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The ‘Open the Country’ Protesters The ‘Open the Country’ Protesters
(about 3 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “‘The Woman in Michigan’ Is Right in the Middle of It All” (news article, April 19):Re “‘The Woman in Michigan’ Is Right in the Middle of It All” (news article, April 19):
The selfish protesters in Michigan and elsewhere demanding that restrictions on businesses and public gatherings be lifted insult not only political leaders seeking to protect the public health, but also the army of health professionals valiantly fighting to keep a lid on this pandemic.The selfish protesters in Michigan and elsewhere demanding that restrictions on businesses and public gatherings be lifted insult not only political leaders seeking to protect the public health, but also the army of health professionals valiantly fighting to keep a lid on this pandemic.
My fellow nurses and other front-line workers took up the challenge without any questioning, just as they did in Vietnam, during the AIDS crisis and during countless natural disasters. I could not be prouder of all of them as they risk their lives to serve in America’s latest time of need.My fellow nurses and other front-line workers took up the challenge without any questioning, just as they did in Vietnam, during the AIDS crisis and during countless natural disasters. I could not be prouder of all of them as they risk their lives to serve in America’s latest time of need.
And so I am outraged to see political interests — including President Trump — egging on these calls to “open up” the nation and put even more health workers and average citizens at risk. I will not forget the face of that young woman holding a placard stating, “We will not comply.” How dare she demand a “right” to endanger countless lives!And so I am outraged to see political interests — including President Trump — egging on these calls to “open up” the nation and put even more health workers and average citizens at risk. I will not forget the face of that young woman holding a placard stating, “We will not comply.” How dare she demand a “right” to endanger countless lives!
Are we really all in this together? Apparently not.Are we really all in this together? Apparently not.
Patricia Ford-RoegnerNewtown Square, Pa.Patricia Ford-RoegnerNewtown Square, Pa.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
It’s time to come out again. We can do this safely if we wear a mask in close venues, maintain social distancing, practice good hygiene, carry a set of gloves and refrain from personal touching of any kind. Until a vaccine is available, this is the new normal.It’s time to come out again. We can do this safely if we wear a mask in close venues, maintain social distancing, practice good hygiene, carry a set of gloves and refrain from personal touching of any kind. Until a vaccine is available, this is the new normal.
People need personal services. When is the last time you had a haircut or had a tooth filled? Dentists always wear a mask, and all person-to-person providers can do the same. They can schedule appointments to avoid overcrowding. They can also clean the work zones before their next customer.People need personal services. When is the last time you had a haircut or had a tooth filled? Dentists always wear a mask, and all person-to-person providers can do the same. They can schedule appointments to avoid overcrowding. They can also clean the work zones before their next customer.
If we wait for widespread testing, this economy will implode and people’s nerves will be shattered.If we wait for widespread testing, this economy will implode and people’s nerves will be shattered.
Phil SerpicoKew Gardens, QueensPhil SerpicoKew Gardens, Queens
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Recent demonstrations — and comments by Republican politicians from the president on down — have proposed “opening up” the economy soon. But I doubt if lifting legal restrictions will have the effect they hope for. Many or most Americans will choose social distancing on their own until they are convinced that the danger is over.Recent demonstrations — and comments by Republican politicians from the president on down — have proposed “opening up” the economy soon. But I doubt if lifting legal restrictions will have the effect they hope for. Many or most Americans will choose social distancing on their own until they are convinced that the danger is over.
The best example is air travel. No law or policy prevents anyone from buying a ticket, but the planes are nearly empty. Americans are deciding for themselves that they don’t want to be cooped up with strangers for several hours.The best example is air travel. No law or policy prevents anyone from buying a ticket, but the planes are nearly empty. Americans are deciding for themselves that they don’t want to be cooped up with strangers for several hours.
The same is true for restaurants. In the first days of March, weeks before any formal restrictions, my partner and I had dinner at several local restaurants. Even places that typically had long lines or hard-to-get reservations were nearly empty. That is the result of people judging the risks on their own and choosing to isolate. That is likely to continue, mandated or not, until a vaccine or effective treatment is available.The same is true for restaurants. In the first days of March, weeks before any formal restrictions, my partner and I had dinner at several local restaurants. Even places that typically had long lines or hard-to-get reservations were nearly empty. That is the result of people judging the risks on their own and choosing to isolate. That is likely to continue, mandated or not, until a vaccine or effective treatment is available.
William S. KesslerSeattleWilliam S. KesslerSeattle
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump Gives Right-Wing Protesters a Megaphone” (front page, April 18):Re “Trump Gives Right-Wing Protesters a Megaphone” (front page, April 18):
Certain decisive moments in our nation’s history have called for common sacrifice to defeat a common foe, and a leader who inspires us to make those sacrifices. One thinks of Franklin D. Roosevelt rallying Americans to endure scarcity in the fight against fascism, or Abraham Lincoln explaining to Northern families why they should give their sons to the cause of preserving the Union.Certain decisive moments in our nation’s history have called for common sacrifice to defeat a common foe, and a leader who inspires us to make those sacrifices. One thinks of Franklin D. Roosevelt rallying Americans to endure scarcity in the fight against fascism, or Abraham Lincoln explaining to Northern families why they should give their sons to the cause of preserving the Union.
Now we face an invisible enemy that forces on us the awful choice of extreme economic disruption or terrible loss of life. More than ever, we need a leader who can remind us again and again why the pain so many are suffering is necessary for the long-term health of the nation and its people. Now we face an invisible enemy that forces on us the wrenching choice of extreme economic disruption or terrible loss of life. More than ever, we need a leader who can remind us again and again why the pain so many are suffering is necessary for the long-term health of the nation and its people.
Instead, we have a president who is cynically exploiting understandable resistance to sacrifice by goading frustrated and frightened Americans to turn against their own state leaders. And, shamefully, he is sowing this division simply to further his own electoral prospects. With the opposite of unifying leadership, and many thousands of lives hanging in the balance, we are at a perilous juncture.Instead, we have a president who is cynically exploiting understandable resistance to sacrifice by goading frustrated and frightened Americans to turn against their own state leaders. And, shamefully, he is sowing this division simply to further his own electoral prospects. With the opposite of unifying leadership, and many thousands of lives hanging in the balance, we are at a perilous juncture.
Kenneth M. CoughlinNew YorkKenneth M. CoughlinNew York