Letters to the editor | Monday, April 27, 2020: Stanislaus mayors value politics above life

Please keep us safe, mayors

Re “Stanislaus mayors ask state to ease virus restrictions” (Front Page, April 23): Seven of nine city mayors in Stanislaus County sent a letter to Governor Newsom requesting he “pursue an aggressive strategy for reopening our county for business.” They go on to ask that he “adopt a strategy similar to that of the White House Coronavirus Task Force plan.” This, on a day when Stanislaus COVID-19 confirmed cases stood at 251; 10 days prior, we had 131. I don’t understand the basis of the mayors’ request, beyond its close resemblance to the Georgia governor’s plan to reopen his state. It isn’t aligned with the White House Task Force’s criteria for beginning to loosen recommendations (two-week decline in confirmed cases, adequate testing and tracing, access to needed PPE and more).

I’m 67. I have some health issues. I carefully observe social distancing and depend on others to do the same. This letter from the mayors makes me think they don’t hold the science related to public health policy and practice dear. It makes me think they don’t believe projections of trained epidemiologists. It makes me think I live in a community that values politics more than human life.

Denise Hunt, Turlock

Howze: Sincere and genuine

Here they go again. Our restaurants, barber shops and salons, hotels and other similar small business are closed, and many are in danger of never opening again. A helping hand has been devised to hopefully save some of them, but we have the wicked witch of the west and her vassal, Bay Area Harder, muddying up the water in order to obstruct this effort and score some obscure political advantage.

These people represent themselves as our voice. I find this disgusting.

We need sincere and genuine representation. We need Ted Howze.

Dan Fagundes, Modesto

Harder keeps us informed

During these trying times, Congressman Josh Harder has remained accessible for those who may have questions about the new CARES Act or need assistance. To keep us updated on the work he is doing, Josh has held tele-townhalls and town halls on Facebook Live so constituents can be informed on what is going on and get help. Just the other day he held a tele-townhall with Doris Foster, Stanislaus County workforce development director, to explain unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, and help available for small businesses.

People I have talked to have expressed how glad they are that Josh has been keeping us updated each week during these unprecedented times. Not all representatives keep constituents informed on what they are doing like Josh has, and I want to thank him for that. I deeply appreciate the hard work Josh has done by working tirelessly for CA-10.

Bianca Escutia, Modesto

Trump and his blame game

Now the president is blaming the World Health Organization for his incompetence to put procedures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 soon enough. In fact, he’s holding funding to the WHO to deflect blame onto them.

He’s accusing health care workers who put their lives on the line during this virus of stealing PPE and reselling it.

Then he doesn’t want voting by mail which will protect people from getting the virus, because he thinks Republicans can’t win elections by mail.

This president only cares about himself, not the health and safety of the American people. He must be voted out of office for the good of this country.

Renee Fellows, Modesto