Local governments with no layoffs? All politicians are essential workers? | Letters
Before I begin to write this letter, let me state I wish no one to lose their job.
In the article in Sunday’s edition titled “Beaufort/Jasper County Layoffs and Furloughs” I noticed no local government layoffs or furloughs.
Nice to know our local officials continue to collect their pay, while the private-enterprise workers lose their jobs, businesses, and life savings.
Oh, also, on a national level, I guess all these politicians are essential workers?
Brian Doyle
Hilton Head Island
RBC Heritage plan bewildering
The audacity of proposing to our hapless community leaders that the “PGA Tour Circus” come to town before the most stringent aspects of lockdown are lifted is bewildering.
The unknowns we know are quite scary, including: no medicine controls agency in the world has approved an antibody test; in the foreseeable future there is no prospect of a vaccine or manufacture of the quantities needed; and recovery does not necessarily mean immunity.
The platitude-filled statement from the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing included these remarks: “essentially be a made-for-TV event” and added, “it takes very little time to halt everything if we are not in a safe place.”
The Tour admits no immediate economic benefit to Hilton Head Island and they are clearly unconcerned about the disruption, time, effort and costs incurred that will be for nothing if it is halted.
Parents with school-age children are having a torrid time with no end in sight, family intrarelationships are under immense strain, and the economy is imploding and causing untold human misery.
This momentous decision to schedule the Heritage in June should not have been taken behind closed doors among individuals with a vested interest in the tournament going ahead.
Christopher Cliffe
Hilton Head Island
‘Liberators’ spread virus
I am watching with concern about the possible reopening of retail and other stores throughout South Carolina. I pray that we do not end up with a worsening of the virus spread as a result.
Some people are advocating an early reopening of all commerce without adequate testing that may allow us to reopen safely, which we will have to do eventually in balance. We are seeing large numbers of people protest appropriate restrictions as a result.
It has been said, “Your liberty to swing your fist ends just where my nose begins.”
We should call on all “liberators” to consider our noses as they spread the virus – and the results of their “freedom.”
David Ericson
Hilton Head Island
Beaufort County small businesses need help now
I need to vent and don’t know where to start.
I am small-business owner in Beaufort. My wife and I have put everything we have into this small company. We have worked tirelessly to keep it moving forward. We don’t have any large, long-term contracts, so we have to rely on advertising when we can and foot traffic.
Then came COVID-19, which put a stop to almost everything.
When the government offered help, it was the lifeline we needed to keep the doors open. We quickly applied to both loans, one through our bank and the other through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
And we wait. What was supposed to be a quick turnaround turned into three weeks of not knowing. When phone calls were made to the appropriate agencies, all we were told was to wait – only to find out that the money had run out and no more applications were being taken.
I know we are not the only small business in our area that has applied, and so far I haven’t heard of any in our area that received the assistance. After reading numerous online articles about this, I find out that the majority of the money went to hedge fund operators.
So I ask how a small, mom-and-pop business is supposed to survive when help that was supposed to be for us goes to companies that make millions if not billions a year.
I am not sure where or what to do next ...
Joe Williams
Beaufort
Pandemic time to show values
I am inspired by your article of Friday, April 17, “Coronavirus: Where can I donate and help in Beaufort County?”
What a wonderful tool that we can use to help our fellow man. Do we fully realize how our kindness is instrumental in another person’s life. Under this current pandemic, we can now express our consideration and provide help to others less fortunate.
You have provided a great list of opportunities to do just that.
Let’s join together and do what we can to help now. I know we will reflect back on these times; knowing we helped will provide a sense of personal accomplishment.
By selecting just one method and then actually commit to doing it, we will demonstrate our American values.
By uniting and taking whatever positive action we can,within our means, we continue to be the greatest nation, the United States of America. Yes, together we can!
Diane Gouge
Bluffton
Throw disposable gloves, masks and wipes away where they belong
Disposable: defined as “intended to be used once, then thrown away.”
Key words are “then thrown away.”
Please do not throw your disposable gloves, masks and wipes anywhere other than the trash. These items seem to be crowding out the regular litter of construction debris, bottles and cans that grace our bike paths and roadways.
You can’t really blame this one on the tourists. Let’s all work together to keep our beautiful Hilton Head Island just that – beautiful.
Lauren Sheridan
Hilton Head Island
Scariest thing yet in pandemic: ‘LIBERATE’
The scariest thing during this pandemic is the president of the United states of America stoking civil unrest by calling for states to “LIBERATE.”
He is openly fomenting right-wing protests of social distancing restrictions in states where groups of his conservative supporters have been violating stay-at-home orders.
He is doing this less than a day after announcing guidelines for how those governors could decide on an orderly reopening of their states.
Andrew W. Pracht
Hilton Head Island
Where do you get a mask for coronavirus?
As a public service you might want to include information in your paper on how Beaufort County residents can obtain masks to protect against the virus.
I see pictures of people in Third World countries wearing masks. Everyone in India is wearing a mask. Walmart is providing masks to all employees.
Forget trying to get a mask over Amazon. Four weeks ago I ordered a basic mask and the delivery date is middle of May or early June. My attempts to make a mask are pretty pathetic.
Any suggestions?
Warren Jungk
Bluffton
Earth Day time for personal action
What action will you take to celebrate Earth Day?
When I am walking I see many refrigerators in hot garages. I never knew that refrigerators could be productive when our temps reach 105 heat index. Wow. Do you really need that extra fridge, especially after living through this virus?
I ask myself: Do I want it, or do I need it?
All these new lithium lawn mowers are great. You can recharge them over and over. There’s no running out to buy gas or store gas, and we enjoy other battery-powered tools in our yards.
Try planting a tree in your yard. Or, better yet, give a tree as a gift.
The refillable water bottle is one of my favorites. I no longer buy a case of water. Most of my friends travel with their own water bottle.
The governor in Rhode Island has a popular saying: “Knock it off.” (She was disappointed with some folks not keeping social distancing!) There’s no advantage to outdoor burning and I say, knock it off. Our firefighters do not need any extra work.
Be safe and soon we will all be out at our state parks.
Maureen Wilson
Bluffton
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