‘Chinese virus’: Letters to the editor, April 26, 2020

Hypocrites over ‘Chinese virus’ name

I am hardly a fan of Donald Trump, but I’m bothered by readers’ letters accusing him of using “Chinese Virus” as a racial slur term. A Bee editorial also called House leader Kevin McCarthy a racist, but said nothing when the exact same term was used by The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN, a blatant example of a double standard. That Americans of Chinese descent should not harassed is beyond question, but for people to use this epidemic as a political tool is totally irresponsible. They need to separate facts from political partisanship and hatred.

The facts are that this virus began in China. Chinese doctors who tried to inform the world about it have been persecuted and reporters have been expelled. The Bejjing government is currently working to convince other nations that the virus came from the U.S., and has blocked international groups who need to investigate it. It is called the “Chinese virus” because of where it originated, just as the “Spanish flu” of 1918 began in Spain. As for those who want to condemn only certain people for using “Chinese virus,” they need to criticize everyone or no one; otherwise they’re plain hypocrites.

Sheltered life is like a dream

The old adage, “Bloom Where you’re Planted,” has become a reality to me. My cell was ringing, texts flying, red-light blinking on my land-line. My mind raced, Did a relative die? Are we at war? A tornado hitting Fresno? Has “virus” hit Fresno? Shelter down! Shelter in!

What does shelter down mean for me, a retired teacher and now older senior? Everything will be closed, shut down, I’m to stay home. Schools, stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and even churches were to stay closed. Everything that was nonessential. No problem, I knew and understood what essentials and nonessentials were.

It had never entered my mind, inconceivable, unimaginable that my nail salon, hair salon, restaurants, and Macy’s would be considered nonessentials. I glanced at my nearly full calendar. What would I do all day, all week?

I started doing some cleaning in my closet, straightened some kitchen cupboards, did my full 25 exercise routine, a little reading, phone calls, TV. The day ended; I was happy and content. Today I was planted and I bloomed. No thought of essentials.

Oh, it was good. But now I’m wondering, Did all of this really happen or was I dreaming?

‘Not my fault’ cartoon right on

I found Brian Burry’s letter castigating The Bee for an editorial cartoon about the president to be incredulous. The president did, indeed, say “It’s not my fault at all!” The juxtaposition with Truman’s “The buck stops here” is exquisite.

This is a president who ignored experts early on and got a late start on combating COVID-19. A president who gutted the CDC early in his administration, leaving us unready to deal with a pandemic.

Trump ‘most lousy president’ all time

I am nappy with Donald Trump. He is ruining our country. His communist ways. He has forced us to be locked in our home. We are not allowed to go eat inside at restaurant. This is not right. He did not do his job in December and January now he wants to punish us. He is to much like Putin. We need him to resign.

He is the most lousy president I have ever known. He doesn't care about our country, the people, the small business. He doesn't hurt. He is rich. He doesn't care about our small businesses. He is hurting them. We need him out of office. He needs to put a stop to all these business being closed.