Letters to the Editor - COVID-19 coverage, wearing masks, Californians moving to Texas, Washington, D.C., VP Mike Pence, Confederate history

Thanks for COVID-19 coverage

Re: “Dallas’ hidden background — Inside Parkland’s COVID-19 ICU, scores struggle to survive,” by Sharon Grigsby, Sunday news column.

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be writing to the editor thanking him for providing a smaller, but more expensive paper, I’d have been dubious. I think you and the staff have done an admirable job covering the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following the George Floyd killing. Grigsby’s lead column about the COVID-19 ward at Parkland was excellent. The final paragraphs of family members at the bedsides of their loved ones were poignant.

One request: Please continue to use Page 2 for the Associated Press’ “One Good Thing,” or find one good thing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Seeing this little bit of joy each morning is a welcome contrast to most of the stories on the front page.

Carol Dirks, Frisco

Grigsby, Michalesko portray grim reality

Sharon Grigsby’s graphic narrative along with Ryan Michalesko’s heartbreaking photos portray the grim reality that is COVID-19. Their courageous reporting highlights the unbearable suffering that both Parkland’s patients and medical staff are enduring during this awful pandemic. Hopefully it also reminds the rest of us of our duty to protect each other.

Patti Schaub, University Park

Public is being misled

I would like to start by saying if Sharon Grigsby does not get an award for journalism it will be shameful. Her column moved me to tears. I cannot understand how our government does not demand that we wear masks. I am a cancer patient and wear a mask because it saves lives.

My big question is how can our governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general think it is OK for Texans to go to the polls to vote and endanger the public’s well-being? The only reason I can see is they know, as I, that if people are allowed to vote from home, more people will vote because they will not have to stand in lines with people who may be infected.

The public has been misled by our White House staff, which believes you don’t have to wear a mask and that the virus is a hoax, or that it will leave as quickly as it came or that the virus’s spread has plateaued even as our hospitals fill up.

Surprise! It seems people’s lives do not matter. The almighty dollar reigns!

Pamala A. Silva, Denison

Trump raised standard of living

Re: “Texas is ripe for change,” by Hans Voorn, Sunday Letters.

Voorn makes the point that the corporate moves of Toyota and McKesson (both from California) are positive signs of change in Texas leadership from Republican to Democratic because of the influx of non-Texan voters. My response: Make Texas like California? No thanks.

Also cited as a positive for the Democrats is the increase in minorities. I firmly believe that the minority population is well aware of how President Donald Trump has greatly increased their standard of living through employment levels never before seen in this country. With the strong support from Black spokespersons like Allen West, Candace Owens and many others, Trump will get reelected and continue making America great.

Ted Hart, Frisco

Religion or politics?

I watched a portion of the extravaganza at First Baptist Dallas featuring Vice President Mike Pence. The performance gave a wink and a nod to the stuttering line between separation of church and state. If this type of event had been held in a synagogue or mosque, the far right would be apoplectic with indignation. Those two religions most likely would not permit such.

Sunday’s performance at the church skated close to functioning outside their designated sphere. Time to review tax-exempt status for these institutions.

JoAnn Williams, East Dallas

Give D.C. to Maryland

Does House Speaker Nancy Pelosi actually want Washington, D.C., voters to elect voting members to Congress? As a matter of equity, D.C. residents deserve full representation. Why don’t Democrats try giving D.C. back to Maryland?

A small federal district including the National Mall, the White House, the Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court could be retained. Republicans could no longer claim that D.C. statehood just means more Democrats in Congress. Maryland would pick up one or two additional House members, but the increase would not come until after the constitutional amendment was passed and the next census completed.

Brian Dungan, Carrollton

Remove the hate, not the statues

When will people realize that removing statues, symbols and flags is a big waste of taxpayers’ money? All of this wasted time, money and effort has not changed history. History is there for us to learn, so as not to repeat the mistakes that have been made in the past. You cannot erase history.

Even if you took all of the American history books and burned them, it would not change anything. If it offends you, that’s a good thing, because then you will not be as likely to repeat it. If you removed every statue, it wouldn’t change anything. What we need to remove is the hate in some people’s hearts and follow the teaching to love your neighbor!

Howard Logan Casada, Duncanville

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