Beaufort County residents and visitors sound off with coronavirus concerns | Letters

Public welcomes ‘adults in the room’ on this serious public health issue

I know I should not make light of the coronavirus situation ... but as a snowbird I’ve noticed that you-know-who has been relgated to “also-ran” status after three or more years of all day/ every day/ day-after-day headline claptrap.

It would seem “the adults in the room,” on this serious public health issue, have found a receptive ear in the public – a welcome change from beautiful walls, perfect phone calls and so-and-so being a snake.

Fraser Petrick

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

‘Social distancing’ inconsistent: What about Hilton Head party zones?

Are Coligny Plaza, the restaurant “triangle” and Shelter Cove supposed to focus on social distancing?

I saw one club’s porch stuffed with drinkers and a band.

A restaurant had a wild St. Patrick’s party even after the parade was canceled.

It is sad, but why should states make policies with no control in the party zones?

I love it here, but I’m concerned for us all.

Mike Horn

Glen Allen, Virginia

Not so fast with the airline bailouts

After a decade or so of sticking it to the consumer – like $200 pet fees, $200 change fees, $50 baggage fees and the like (totaling $4.6 billion in baggage fees and $2.9 billion in change fees in 2017) – the airlines are considering asking for government help after four weeks of the effects of the coronavirus. I don’t think so.

David Luellen

Hilton Head Island

A simple way to feel better

I know that we are all tired of this virus mess, and it is easy to get down. Here is something that will make you smile and feel good instantly. Simply close your eyes and think of something that you are grateful for. It works every time.

Jack Bahm

Hilton Head Island

Get Trump out of the way

The population of South Carolina is approximately 5.2 million, and as of March 15, 263 residents had been tested for coronavirus. That is an abysmal .00005057 of the population.

The Trump administration can’t or won’t give any numbers for the country as I write, but have floated 8,000 or so tests out of one side of their mouths, while lying from the other side: Anyone who wants a test can get one.

In math and science, which is all that matters here, you can’t solve a problem if you can’t define it. Long story short, locally or nationally we don’t have the vaguest idea who or how many are infected, no clue how bad this is except the number of cases keeps on climbing while President Donald Trump has lied saying that everything is just fine.

South Korea tests 10,000 per day. After nearly two months we aren’t even able to get to 10,000. This is a total abdication of leadership and an appalling demonstration of total criminal incompetence. Lots of people are going to die because of this and other than empty promises nothing is happening.

It has often been said: “Lead, follow or get out of the way!”

Listening, Trump?

Gary Cadle

St. Helena Island

Trump making virus political

Let’s stay safe by staying home. And, with more time on our hands, let’s look what has brought us to this point.

In January, President Donald Trump was briefed on the coronavirus outbreak in China. Instead of acting to protect us, he denied the facts and called criticism of his actions a Democratic “hoax.”

Throughout February, Trump continued to downplay the threat. Senior White House officials said the virus “is contained.” Trump said U.S. cases were down “close to zero” and, “It’s going to disappear. One day – it’s like a miracle – it will disappear.”

This month, he erroneously stated a vaccine is coming “relatively soon.” It won’t. He claimed that testing is available to everyone; it isn’t.

Trump said on March 5 that the U.S. “got hit with the virus really three weeks ago” when the first confirmed case here was reported Jan. 20.

Trump denied the scientific evidence, failed to mandate enough testing and repeatedly lied to the public for fear of losing the 2020 election.

If anyone doubts Trump’s political calculus that bad numbers are worse than sick people, remember his shocking statement about Americans stuck on a cruise ship off the California coast.

He didn’t want them moved onshore. “... I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault.”

Imagine if you were one of those passengers, with your life threatened by Trump’s political self-interest.

In reality, we all are.

Raymond Dias

Bluffton