Words matter during a pandemic

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Manhattan: While I was stocking up on zinc, vitamin D, and Airborne, Mayor de Blasio appeared on the pharmacy’s TV warning New Yorkers to prepare for a “shelter in place” order. “What the (expletive) does ‘sheltering in place’ mean?” snapped the weary cashier. I explained what I knew since my daughter lives in San Francisco under a shelter in place order and was only leaving her house for essentials, lest she run the risk of a misdemeanor charge.

As a word person and professional health communicator, I’m struck by America’s rush to invent new jargon or rehash inexact terminology meant to guide people during a public health crisis. Much of the lingo, I’m afraid, eludes those who need to understand it most.

Clearly, one-on-one conversation is not a pragmatic way to achieve mass understanding of how to “flatten the curve,” another term only a sliver of the population can grasp. But simple, straightforward language might advance understanding.

Instead of “shelter in place,” say “don’t leave home.” Instead of “social distancing,” say “keep far away from people.” Instead of “self-quarantine,” say “stay alone at home for 14 days after being with anyone diagnosed with coronavirus.” And instead of “flatten the curve,” however elegant the epidemiological term for slowing the spread may be, say, “be a lifesaver. Slow down this virus by staying home.”

If you can explain these ideas to people who might benefit, pick up the phone or send a few heartfelt texts or emails. And if you are a professional communicator, lose the jargon. Have the kinds of conversations that real people will hear and understand. Karen Strauss

Head of Strategy and Innovation, M Booth Health

Reallocation of resources

Yonkers: Why has the space program not been suspended or even eliminated? We could use these brilliant scientists and other resources to fight the coronavirus. Who cares how old the Earth is? If the Chinese or Russians want to go colonize Mars or visit the moon again, let them. We have enough problems to solve right here at home.

John and Petra Martineck

Eternal leader

Massapequa, L.I.: Elections being canceled due to coronavirus? Bill Maher was right. Trump’s not going to leave the White House no matter any outcome of the election. MAGA forever.

Paul Pepe

Land of the not so free

Bronx: Let’s keep our perspective during this. Let’s be sure we don’t hand over too much power to the government in exchange for peace of mind. We’ve seen where that leads. Howard Phillips

Despicable

Middle Village: Wondering when the SEC is going to investigate Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler and North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr and their suspect selling off of stocks weeks before the market tanked due to the coronavirus? These Republicans really have a lot of nerve. These people continue to profit off the backs of the average American. Throw the book at them!

Samantha Papaccio

Gap to be filled

Monroe Township, N.J.: I cannot help but think of a true indicator of greatness in a leader when I think of Martin Luther King. In a time of despair, unrest and uncertainty, he had a dream. Our president had a hunch.

Grace Weichel

Red state of mind

Tobyhanna, Pa.: For the past four years, the left has been trying to convince the American public that our greatest threat is Russia. Now, in the midst of a global health crisis and the resulting economic meltdown, the left still can’t admit what some of us have known all along: Our greatest threat is Communist China. They created this pandemic, another chapter in their long list of atrocities. Perhaps the Democrats, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, the New York Times, the Daily News, the NBA, Hollywood, and corporations like Apple and GE, will finally stop carrying water for their Communist masters, although I doubt it. Joseph Matarazzo

Retirement plans

Staten Island: To Voicer Nancy Moriarty: Being retired, I decided to mark something off my bucket list this year and I drove to Port St. Lucie, Fla., for Mets spring training. I was about 200 miles from my hotel when they canceled everything. I had tickets to three games that were no good anymore. I went to the Mets’ spring training facility (it was deserted) and the lone guard told me to come back between two and five that day and to go to the box office. I was told that my tickets (bought online with a credit card) would be fully refunded. I will try again next year. Isn’t MLB refunding tickets as well? I suggest you call the ticket office and check.

Michael Scanlan

Some entertainment

Cincinnatti: I commend Pornhub for helping with the issue of isolation while Italy is locked down. I mean, just how much pasta can one stomach? Allowing free premium access during this time of stress is, well, a relief, especially as it jibes with advice on handwashing. Paul Bloustein

Coronavirus caste system

Yonkers: I find it incredible that Voicer Peter Galvin would be so naive to even pose the question about possible special treatment for the Nets players. Does he not know that money talks, or in the parlance of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” “some animals are more equal than others”? He urgently needs a reality check. Frank Brady

Call out

Bronx: If only St. Vincent’s Hospital and others had not been closed and converted into condos we would have plenty of beds to treat this pandemic. Haven’t heard from Christine Quinn, who pushed for the closure, have we? W. Twirley

GARDINER ANDERSON FOR DAILY NEWS

Isolated elder

Bronx: I don’t know if this makes sense, but why not give pharmacies like Walgreens the ability to test people for the virus? They in turn could take them to a designated location or they could be picked up. I am 91 years old and only go out when my son comes to take me grocery shopping. He told me next time to let him know what I need and he will bring it. He is the only one that I let enter my house. Yolanda Rojas

Armed and dangerous

Clearwater, Fla.: Re the spike in gun sales amid coronavirus: With much panic and flaring tempers due to COVID-19, the last thing we need is more gun-wielding citizens. I shudder to think that folks may shoot it out over the last roll of toilet paper or hand sanitizer on the shelf. JoAnn Lee Frank

Keep hoarding

Wantagh, L.I.: I never thought Americans could get any dumber. Now that everyone is stocked up on peanut butter and toilet paper, I wonder what Plan B is. Richard Banks

Missing out

Howard Beach: And to think we could have had Amazon right in our own backyard. Much-needed jobs, supplies, deliveries. Thanks, AOC.

Paul DeTiberiis