Letters to the editor | Wednesday, April 1: Coronavirus is forcing America to slow down

Can we learn to slow down?

Recently our oldest daughter moved to Portugal, permanently. She had grown tired of the high cost of everything, and the general fast pace of life. West Seattle had been her home for over 20 years. Always, job deadlines. Advertising tells us we need the newest car, mattress or whatever, “You need an upgrade of this or that.” Traffic moving faster than speed limits or at a total stop because of an accident.

She chose a country with cheaper rents and a slower pace of life, in all aspects. We were surprised, but we supported what we thought was a rather drastic move.

It seems to me that we, here in America, are facing slowdowns because of the coronavirus. We are faced with slowdowns in our everyday life, slowdowns that are meant to help protect ourselves from this nasty virus pandemic. I certainly don’t wish this horrible virus on anyone. But I hope we can adapt to a slower pace in the long term. Perhaps we can all take time to smell the roses. After all, life is good.

U.S. deserves competent leadership

The responses by some state governors to the coronavirus threat when compared to those of President Trump are remarkable. Those of Governor Cuomo of New York and California Governor Newsom are what we would expect from an intelligent, responsible, and informed president, responses based on facts and science. Both governors have reviewed the information regarding the spread of the virus and have informed the people regarding actions necessary to protect their health.

In contrast, President Trump bumbles through his television appearances, denying what his medical advisors have been recommending, hawking questionable coronavirus cures, denigrating those who disagree with him, and spreading his personal beliefs about when the pandemic will be over. He has chosen not to listen to communicable disease experts regarding the spread of this dangerous virus.

A president who places business interests above public health, spreads false information about a lethal virus, and says efforts to prevent transmission of the virus from person to person won’t be necessary after a few weeks is a danger to our country. It is unfortunate that we don’t have a competent president who leads like the governors of New York and California.

Larding up the relief package

If the COVID-19 pandemic has clarified anything, it has made clear that Rep. Josh Harder could care less about the people of the 10th Congressional District. His main priorities seem to be standing by Nancy Pelosi, who funneled $30 million to him in the 2018 election, and supporting the Democratic Party.

During March 13-15, the Senate spent the weekend negotiating a bipartisan $1.8 trillion coronavirus relief bill. Pelosi then flew in from California, whipped out her unrelated wish list and said “no.” Senate Democrats then voted against the bill they had negotiated. The relief bill would have provided money to large and small businesses, put cash into the hands of Americans who are without work and bolstered unemployment benefits.

Pelosi and other Democrats, like Harder, then put forward a bill that includes required early voting, bailing out the U.S. Postal Service debt, more collective bargaining power for unions and increased fuel emission standards for airliners.

As Americans are hurting, Rep. Harder, why did you and Pelosi try to lard up the relief bill intended to help Americans with fat for the Democratic Party?

Now a relief bill has passed, despite Pelosi and Harder working against the people.

Grocers working hard for us

“Thank you” is hardly enough to express our gratitude to the multitudes of grocery workers who greet us, stock shelves, check us out, help with the groceries to our vehicles, all the while endangering themselves to this awful disease. Thank you for the special hours for seniors and other accommodations you’ve made on our behalf. I personally saw Chuck O’Brien (O’Brien’s Market) and his family unloading trucks and stocking shelves at 6 a.m. so that their customers were served during this crisis. Believe me, he’s not doing this for the money.

Let’s all make sure we remember these unsung heroes and support our local businesses when normalcy returns.

This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Wednesday, April 1: Coronavirus is forcing America to slow down."