Letters to the editor | Sunday, May 3, 2020: Reopening after coronavirus can wait

Lives are more important than money

Turlock has become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Stanislaus. Yet, only recently, I read in The Bee that our Mayor Amy Bublak signed a letter to the governor asking him to expedite the opening of businesses. Only two mayors — of Patterson and Newman — did not sign.

What did those two mayors take into consideration that the Turlock mayor did not? Namely that the Health Department has been predicting that the peak of COVID-19 cases in Stanislaus County would not occur until June 8.

Now Turlock has the ignominious distinction of having the most COVID cases of any city in the region, and given the nature of the facility that is at the center of this crisis, we may well have the most deaths.

I am extremely disappointed that our elected leaders — before having much testing in their communities — did not prioritize the health of citizens over the bottom line of their business supporters.

Elmano M. Costa, Turlock

Protect home caregivers

This pandemic has taken thousands of lives, and I am afraid that if nothing is done to protect home caregivers and our clients, it will take many more.

I must face this fear every day as I take care of my son who is on the autism spectrum. For years, I struggled to find appropriate care for him; the only option I had was to quit my job and become his full-time caregiver. Home caregivers do mentally, emotionally and physically demanding life-saving work.

The work we do is essential, and Governor Newsom has acknowledged that, yet we barely make above the minimum wage. Right now, Stanislaus County has received personal protective equipment from the state to distribute, but home caregivers are not their priority. They will only give us PPE upon request and if someone is sick, even though we are on the front lines of this crisis.

Our clients are low-income seniors and people with disabilities, who are the most susceptible to COVID-19. We need protective equipment now, and adequate compensation. We need to be treated with the dignity and respect that is afforded every other healthcare worker.

Astrid Zuniga, executive vie president of United Domestic Workers, AFSCME 3930, Modesto

Compassion, or just campaigning?

Certainly Stocktonian Ted Howze and his ‘publican partners deserve credit for their recent interest in charitable food giving. Efforts that organizations like the Salvation Army, various local religious groups and food banks have long been championing.

Nobody should fault the skill it takes to distribute loaves of bread but it may not quite measure up to the effort Congressman Josh Harder is making to bring real and permanent relief to the district.

And, while that may be campaigning you smell and not BBQ, charity is welcome no matter where you find it. Let’s just hope that the compassion operates after November.

Jack Heinsius, Modesto

Struggling to grasp science

In 5th grade health class we learned that antibiotics have no effect on a virus. Kills bacteria, yes. Kills a virus, no.

The president, speaking about the COVID-19 virus (not the 19th strain of this virus — the number denotes the year of discovery of this never-before-seen strain of virus): “This is a very brilliant enemy. You know, it’s a brilliant enemy. They develop drugs like the antibiotics. You see it. Antibiotics used to solve every problem. Now one of the biggest problems the world has is the germ has gotten so brilliant that the antibiotic can’t keep up with it.”

This level of ignorance from the most powerful man in the world is terrifying.

And just like the televangelist who bilks the last pennies away from people, there he is. Up there peddling hydroxychloroquine and disinfectant as a possible cure for this disease. God help us.

If there is still an adult in the room, please give the president a time out till November.

Gary Kinard, Gustine

Whose fault was coronavirus?

When reports of the coronavirus were spreading to the United States, President Trump ignored this actuality. Instead, he insisted that it was China’s fault and generated no reaction toward medical treatment. In the meantime, thousands of people in this country died because of his ineptitude. Then the most ludicrous event happened: Trump had the COVID-19 exam, and did not have the virus.

Mitch Rudoff, Modesto

Just look what he puts up with

No other president in the history of the United States has ever had to walk in President Trump’s shoes with 24/7 harassment, put downs, blame, lies, character assassinations, threats, attacks on policies, criminalizations, little help from across-the-aisle party from Day 1 of his presidency.

It takes a strong person with a great backbone to stand up and do the job among such onslaughts. Trump is not doing his job for money or fame — he already had all of that before becoming our president. He does his job for two reasons: He loves America and everything it stands for, and he loves the American people because he is an American.

I feel sorry for people who believe all the lies about him from the media. Without meeting him and spending time with him can one form a true opinion of his character? I don’t think any other person could do their job half as good through all the garbage he has had to put up with.

Go ahead and voice your opinion, but do it from a place of self-knowledge and truth and not the lies of mindless media minions.

Carla Latimer, Modesto

Meat packers get the shaft

President Trump signed an executive order for meat packing plants to stay open. Employees cannot refuse to go back to work, and if they don’t report, they cannot claim unemployment benefits.

On top of this, the company cannot be sued for liability if anything happens to any employee under these circumstances. It seems we are back to the 1930s, where business was king and employees were of no consequence. Expendable, in other words.

Worst part is CDC-OSHA inspected the plants and told them, “You could do these things to make the plant safer from the virus, if you want to; you don’t have to.” These employees are free to get the virus and spread it to their families and communities.

The president should stop blaming everyone else, like China, and instead act as if he were the president of the United States instead of a wannabe CEO. If he had listened to his daily intelligence briefings, we would be in much better shape.

Mr. Mayor, if you open up too soon, more will die.

Diane M. Kroeze, Modesto

No on Oakdale’s Measure Q

I hope everyone reads Measure Q. If you have a 2,000 square-foot house, your fire tax bill on your house alone will be $520. That is a 215% increase. A 3,000 square-foot house will be $590, a 257% increase. Then add on $70 for each out building and 50 cents per acre. Then after that huge increase the board will be able to increase it more starting next year at their discretion, with no vote.

I don’t know anyone who has had a 215% raise in the last 15 years since Measure M was passed.

Rita Ford, Oakdale

Enochs a true supporter of the arts

It is with great sadness that I note the passing of James Enochs, former superintendent of Modesto City Schools.

I have known Mr. Enochs for nearly 45 years as a teacher with Modesto City Schools. Not only was he a great educator and superintendent, but he was also a great humanitarian. He cared not only about the educational needs of all the students, but he also truly cared about them as human beings — students who had feelings, dreams, hopes, aspirations, and, perhaps more importantly, emotional needs; students who came from a mix of backgrounds, but had a right to succeed and be happy.

But most of all, I knew Mr. Enochs as an educator and advocate who saw the importance of the arts in the lives and education of every student. He created the Arts Appreciation program whereby every student in the district saw at least one live stage performance or concert every year. It could be a play, opera, concert, or dance program. For many students, this was the first time they had ever had this type of live performance experience. And for that, I and the students are most grateful.

Paul Tischer, Modesto

Homeless sometimes have no choice

The city and police officers arrived at a property on Garden Avenue in West Modesto. They began removing people’s property and had tow trucks to take vehicles and RVs also.

Since none of the six residents who called this “home” actually live in one, their tents and trailers were taken, and most belongings, leaving everyone without any idea of where they may sleep. Among those being displaced is a couple and their 9-month-old son. They’ve lived in a tent for some time and keep to themselves.

Although some consider the homeless a nuisance, it was the family’s only choice. It just seems unfair that they have nowhere to go.

Eucelia D. Fritch, Modesto

Claim needs fact checking

Re “The falsehoods of progressives’ perspective” (Page 6A, April 30): “They note that the average low-income household receives benefits worth $45,389 from state and federal transfer programs.” Attributed to Phil Gramm, a former senator, and John F. Early.

Seriously? When I was working I earned just under $50,000, before taxes.

I’m not saying low-income households get too much welfare. I’m saying Jay Ambrose has an “alternate facts” problem. Don’t blame it on Phil Gramm, Jay. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.

Steve Claypool, Turlock