Trump doing a great job; don’t close Hilton Head beaches, close the hotels | Letters

I am glad we have Donald Trump as president.

His actions have greatly decreased the spread of this virus.

He had closed flights/borders from China early. He got a lot of negative comments for this, but it is the best thing done.

He has cut red tape regulations to help get personal protection equipment to health care workers and others needing it in their jobs.

He is encouraging and praising American manufacturers that have switched to making the products we need now. I hope once this is over, we bring most manufacturing back to the USA, especially our medications.

We all need to do what Trump and his team have asked. Do social distancing. Stay at home unless you must go out.

I thank the workers in food stores, drug stores, postal workers, police and firefighters, truck drivers and especially health care workers and all others who work daily so we can live as normally as possible in our homes.

We all need to do our part to flatten this curve.

We should not close beaches; we should close vacation rentals. Those off in New York and other areas should not be able to come to our shores. This is not vacation time, it is critical time!

Bike paths are smaller than the beach, so it will be more congested.

Close the hotels. You did it for the restaurants.

By the way, please support our restaurants by doing curbside pickup, and give to the Salvation Army. We are doing that.

Sherrie Mikrut

Hilton Head Island

Coronavirus pandemic shows world Trump’s incompetence and willful ignorance

I am somewhat relieved Vice President Mike Pence is heading up the Coronavirus Task Force, thereby relegating the self-proclaimed “stable genius” to the role of emcee and cheerleader.

In times of national crisis, true leadership often rises to the occasion; however, what we have seen with President Donald Trump is a remarkable display of incompetence and willful ignorance. These uncertain times demand a leader who is truthful and compassionate, two attributes this president has never possessed.

Warnings regarding the coronavirus were conveyed by the intelligence community to the White House in January and February. Given that Trump does not trust the intelligence community — especially when they provide factual information that runs counter to his alternate sense of reality — he did not take their findings seriously.

We watched him in January and February make light of the virus and of the possibility that this pandemic might reach our shores. As late as Feb. 28 on the eve of the South Carolina Democratic Primary, at a rally in North Charleston, he characterized the coronavirus as a Democratic hoax. Fake news? Cue up the video.

Despite Trump’s failings, there have been both Democratic and Republican governors who have stepped up to meet the challenge: Andrew Cuomo (New York) and Mike deWine (Ohio) to name two.

Unfortunately, we have an occupant in the Oval Office whose exclusive goal is to get re-elected no matter what the cost.

Jeff Baker

Beaufort

With ‘madman’ as president, we are behind the 8-ball

After wasting more than a month pretending the coronavirus would not be a problem, President Donald Trump and his minions continue to lie to the public.

No, there are not “free tests for everyone.” Here in South Carolina, apparently, those who get sick have to have a demonstrated connection to a person already diagnosed or to travel in affected foreign countries. No connection, no test. Thus, we are still testing very few people and have no idea of the real extent of the virus.

But don’t worry. Trump got a test, Lindsey Graham got a test; and so did NBA players.

We are not catching up with responsible countries like Germany and South Korea that hastened to mobilize testing as soon as the World Health Organization provided the necessary information.

Vice President Mike Pence just told the public that health care workers now have plenty of masks and other safety equipment available to them. But hospitals across the country are asking their caregivers to use improvised masks.

Certainly, there are logistical problems that arise from trying to distribute large numbers of masks quickly. Certainly, limited resources need to be rationed carefully. But to pretend that the supply problem has been solved is simply a lie.

Meanwhile, an unwary public heads for the beaches in Beaufort County, and Trump rages at the press.

We are not ahead of the curve, we are behind the 8-ball. Who still thinks it is a good idea to have a madman for president?

Palmira Brummett

Beaufort

It’s always darkest just before the dawn

This may feel daunting, overwhelming and, for some, devastating. The only time we witness personal growth is when adversity exacerbates our greatest fear – uncertainty. Our goal in life is to learn how to tolerate ambiguity, because everything is ambiguous.

This virus has the possibility of helping us reach our best self. If the world suffers universally from the same epidemic, we have greater unity, as we are all hoping for the same result. Such similarity makes each and every one of us the same – no one is better, no one is worse, but rather we are humans understanding each other’s plight. This world fight may mitigate escalating wars, decrease mass shootings, and engender a greater sense of oneness.

Use this time to communicate and create greater harmony in ourselves and our families. Reflect on fractured relationships, by contemplating on what you can change to increase emotional intimacy.

And lastly, cherish all for which you are grateful.

Remember: “It is always darkest before dawn.”

Jocelyn Evans

Hilton Head

Overwhelmed by this act of kindness

I got a call from my dentist’s office today. I thought maybe it was about an appointment. It wasn’t.

I said I thought they were closed. They were. They were in the office anyway and were calling because they just wanted to know how I was doing and if I needed them to go get anything for me.

I was overwhelmed by their kindness. Criticism and complaints are rampant these days. Just read the daily letters to the editor. This was such highlight in my day. Kudos to the office staff of Wooster Dental Care.

Don Byers

Bluffton

COVID-19 overblown

The Hilton Head Island mayor is playing a fool’s game.

Shutting the beach was a mistake. What’s next?

We are not allowed to drive? And then what? Army squadrons in hazmat suits patrolling the streets?

I propose an unpopular idea: COVID-19 is being blown way out of proportion. People die of the flu. People die from car crashes.

Open up everything! Business as usual! And let the cards fall where they may.

Specifically, open the beaches. You’re not doing anyone a favor by denying them 11 miles of wide open beautiful space.

Sandon Preston

Hilton Head Island

Thank you for showing us a SC jewel on the Kings Highway

I want to thank your travel reporter Matt Richardson for the information on the old Kings Highway in South Carolina and the interesting places along the way. I did the trip this past weekend and enjoyed it very much. Please continue to send us ideas for getaways close to the Lowcountry.

Elaine Lust

Moss Creek

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