Homeless are our responsibility

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Staten Island: I’d like to thank Denis Dugan for writing his recent op-ed, “Why I slept on the subways” (May 12), as well as the Daily News for printing it. I am a chaplain with homeless people in the West Village in Manhattan as well as on Staten Island where I live. I have been increasingly upset to see the way homeless people have been treated in both boroughs. They cannot stay on subways overnight; they cannot congregate in public areas.

Yes, there are many people who are homeless and sleeping on subways. Yes, many sleep on street corners in front of buildings as well as in terminals. Yes, they could go to shelters, of which I know there are sufficient rooms. Yet does anyone wonder: “Why are many not going to these?”

Dugan provides some answers. They did not feel safe in them before the pandemic due to physical harm, the prevalence of substance abuse and mental health issues, and property loss. Now, coronavirus health concerns due to close quarters complicate these issues — who of us would choose to live with strangers now?

The general public does not want to see these people in public but we must. They exist. They are people. They need our help. Regina D. Cassidy

Follow the cops

Morganville, N.J.: A woman was arrested because she was violating social distancing rules by wearing a face mask around her neck and not on her face. The police officers were doing the job they swore an oath to uphold. She was with a child — assuming the child was hers. What kind of example are you setting for your child by not obeying a police officer? Here’s an idea: When officers ask you to do something, just do it! Easy peasy. No bail money required!

Train’t gonna happen

Brooklyn: The idea of having to make reservations in order to utilize New York City public transit is absolutely ridiculous. Would that mean a person must go through a cumbersome procedure to change a reservation to get on a train or bus just to get to work?

To the left

Debbie Giordano

Melissa Lieberman

Brooklyn: All our councilmembers should read the op-ed by Randy Mastro (“The Council’s vast overreach,” May 12). They may learn something about the legal system, and why the Council doesn’t have the authority to break or corrupt it. They must understand, and engrave in their minds, that

liberalism in extremes is the democracy of the idiots or demagogue.

Francisco J. Castillo

Backing the Blue

Brooklyn: If someone said, “I don’t give a rat’s ass about Black Lives Matter, or Catholic, Jewish or Muslim people, or immigrants, or lesbians, etc.,” they would be terminated immediately. Why the tolerance for this hate speech against the NYPD? Barbot must go! Lydia DiBello

The birds!

West Orange, N.J.: One of my favorite sections of the Daily News is the comics. Like dessert, I save reading them for last. My day would not be the same without reading “Pooch Cafe,” “Pearls Before Swine” and yes, even “Gasoline Alley, ” which, in all my years of reading, has never made me laugh. I must admit, however, that the “Alley” characters are super entertaining. They have some of the same dramatis personae since it started 100 years ago. The slack-jawed country morons Joel and Rufus are especially great. All this being said, about a month ago the writers decided to add one of the most terrible, horrible, no good, very bad personas I have ever seen. This thing is a green parrot that has me wanting to rip my hair out. I’m not sure how much power you possess, but I would be forever indebted to you if this rotten bird disappears from this comic forever. Please help, I can’t take it much longer.

Daniel P.B. Russo

Ophthalmology

Glen Cove, L.I.: Re “Un-BareAble” (May 15): Once again, our “leader” who thinks he is above it all refused to wear a mask at a mask factory! All of his reasoning makes no sense (except in his own mind). Maybe Trump’s true reason is that if he wore a mask, more attention would be paid to his eyes since part of his orange face would be covered. I’m sure he’s familiar with the song “Lyin’ Eyes” and more importantly, “eyes are the windows to the soul.” Why would someone who shows no empathy or caring toward humanity, want to draw attention to his eyes!?

Elise Rubin

Keeping it short

Staten Island: The president doesn’t wear a face mask because he doesn’t want to mess up his hair or makeup. Also, we have been getting our News delivered for years and our guy Gabriel is fantastic. Never missed a day. Thanks, Daily News.

Helen Wodzinski

Presidential succession

Manhattan: If Pence and Trump have the virus, Pence can pray for his cure, and Trump can prove how effective a cure Lysol is.

Carl Maury

Truth hurts

Rochester: Liars like Donald Trump will even tell lies when it would be better for them to tell the truth.

Stewart B. Epstein

The bottom line

Meriden, Conn.: By threatening cuts to first responders, Mayor de Blasio is like a general standing in Normandy telling the troops, “Nice job with taking the beach. And now we don’t need you.”

Robert Burdick

Waste of airwaves

Mahwah, N.J.: Does Gov. Cuomo really believe his daily therapy sessions and family musings are helping disseminate information on the coronavirus? Please! And, Mayor de Blasio is not the head of his own country. Why is his air time so important? De Blasio grovels that the president isn’t doing enough. These remarks come from a man who, in mid-March, told New Yorkers to enjoy a show.

AP Watch a real news conference with Gov. Phil Murphy. All his health, labor and police professionals are on top of what’s happening in Jersey.

Brenda Calandrillo

Jokes on you

Keyport, N.J.: To Voicer Bob Rattner: Thank you. I had a really good laugh at your sarcasm. The extent of the rant and how eloquently you “exposed” the current state of the country had to be sarcasm, right? Joe Napolitano

Fearless

Kew Gardens Hills: Re “Losing jobs, saving jobs” (editorial, May 9): As an 80-year-old, I’m part of a vulnerable demographic for COVID-19 illness. But I don’t share your support for “prudent restrictions” which is really economic homicide that destroys jobs, lives and communities without preventing death. Gov. Cuomo cited a survey showing that 66% of people hospitalized for COVID were admitted from their homes. This proves that social distancing doesn’t stop the virus, nor does wearing a mask or having NYPD cops act like morality police. COVID is scary, but I probably face a greater risk of being exposed to Kryptonite. Richard Reif