Stuck near an avoidable hot spot

Briarwood: I live in Queens in a yellow zone. The orange zone is about one block away and the red zone is about three blocks farther than that. In other words, I am close to an area that has become a hot spot for COVID-19. I am both scared and angry about this situation. I am scared because I live so near to people who have behaved so badly that they put themselves and others in danger, causing a step back from the reopening process. I am angry because this could have been avoided. Wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands — these are not difficult things to do.

I am angry that people are ignoring the science. As a rabbi recently said, if you ignore science you are disobeying God. Carl Reiner had it right in his movie, “Oh, God.” In the movie, God said we (humans) had been given all the tools we need to make it work here on Earth. That is true. The tool God gave us to deal with COVID-19 is science. It is not true that science and God are the opposite of each other. On the contrary: Science is God.

No masks, no aid

Manhattan: If, as they claim, they are in their own world and not subject to the laws of the land, a very effective resolution to the non-maskwearing individuals would be to eradicate all the public money that is allotted to them. A quick act by the mayor to curb the enormous amount of aid given to these communities would certainly knock some sense into them. This would not be discrimination, but a necessary act to protect not only them, but the general public that is being put at risk by their negligence. If the Hasids hold life so dearly, I can’t imagine why they are so reluctant to wear the masks which would protect them and others. Jack Weiss

Strange support

I find it totally ironic that some Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn are Trump supporters. I would love to see how they would fare if placed in the heart of Trump country, say Alabama or Kentucky. The only place in the U.S. where they can freely be who they are is NYC, and they should show more respect for their fellow New Yorkers. Gina Ottrando

Different style

Our police commissioner was asked why officers did not have on riot gear at the Hasidic protest. The Hasidim would throw yarmulkes, while other supposedly peaceful protesters throw rocks and bottles.

Manny Agostini

Salute

We hear about all the accolades, his achievements as a Hall of Fame pitcher and six-time World Series winner with the Yankees, but what I will always remember about Whitey Ford is a letter he hand-wrote to me in 2005 as

I was recovering from surgery and could not coach my Little League team. One of the boys’ parents on the team was friends with Whitey, and after hearing my plight, he wrote: “Hope you are feeling better. You’ve been a great inspiration to all the young people you worked with, and now it’s your turn to believe in yourself and say ’Yes I Can.’ Have a Merry Christmas, and hope to see you at the stadium in the spring. All The Best, Whitey Ford.” That framed letter hangs in my home, and the memory of meeting him once at Mickey Mantle’s restaurant and him reminiscing with me about growing up in Astoria will forever be etched in my heart and mind. RIP Whitey, great ballplayer, greater man! Chris Karalekas

For old time’s sake

Massapequa, L.I.: With the passing of the Yankee great Ed “Whitey” Ford, a reprint of Bill Gallo’s Sept. 8, 2008 “Tears in the Balcony” cartoon would be appropriate. He is up there with his old teammates. Ron Boehning

Big Reds loss

St. Albans: I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Joe Morgan. He was a main cog in The Big Red Machine. He was instrumental in helping the Reds win the World Series in 1975 and 1976. He won the National League MVP in both those years. He was a 10-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also an excellent color commentator for ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Rest in peace, Joe. Leslie Langer

Like father

Staten Island: Thank you, Sean Lennon, for reworking your Dad’s catalog of music. It must have been so emotional for you. I can only “Imagine.” This is a gift for the younger generation and will keep his music alive forever.

Sheila Picciarelli

Fun-free

Glen Ridge, N.J.: It’s impossible to decipher any of the differences between your “Spot the Difference” puzzles. And then you post the answer so small, even with a magnifying glass it’s impossible to see. The only exercise I am getting from that, which should be entertainment, is frustration. It’s a waste of space on the page.

Francine Ferrara

Benevolent leader

Brooklyn: Gov. Cuomo should show largesse and donate the proceeds from his COVID-19 book to all of his constituents who’ve been economically devastated by his draconian lockdown.

William Thurlow

PlotSpotter

Howard Beach: Can’t quite imagine what Trump and Bill Barr would be saying if Antifa threatened to kidnap and kill a Republican governor. Their lack of condemnation of the white supremacists who were planning to do exactly this against Gov. Whitmer is sickening. Trump wants Whitmer to thank him because his FBI helped to foil this attack. Is he speaking about his FBI director Chris Wray, who he is threatening to fire because Wray stood up to Trump when he let the American people know that white supremacist groups are the biggest threat to our democracy? Trump and Barr are complicit with white supremacists.

Barbara Berg

Satisfaction

Bronx: It is gratifying when liberal malcontents, like Voicer Carol Webb, express their displeasure and criticisms of any comments I might offer. It proves that I have accomplished my mission and struck a nerve, and for a time

I live rent-free in their small, narrow and unhinged minds.

Bob Pascarella

Packed with Catholics

The article by Jonathan Zimmerman misses the point (“Leave Amy Coney Barrett’s religion out of it,” op-ed, Oct. 12). The Supreme Court already has five Catholics (Gorsuch says he is now Episcopalian) seated. She would be the sixth. Catholics constitute less than 25% of Americans. Almost a third of Americans are atheist/ agnostic and have no representation on the Supreme Court. Enough of this bizarre situation, which is unfair and unpopular. Jed Devine

Manchurian candidate

New Paltz, N.Y.: Joe Biden is in no mental shape to be president. Once again, he seemed confused and said he’s running for the Senate instead of president, forgot Mitt Romney’s name and said Romney was a senator while running against President Obama. Not long ago, he referred to the Harris-Biden administration. The Democrats do their best to keep him hidden and prevent him from answering questions from the press. Asked about packing the Supreme Court, he refuses to answer. That’s because they haven’t told him what to say. Imagine him trying to deal with the Russians, Iranians and China? If he’s elected, I wonder how long the Democrats will let him serve before they find a way to ease him out and install Harris.

John Habersberger

Unequivocal

Manhattan: If you’re still undecided, it’s time for decidin’. There’s no choice anymore, you must vote for Biden!