It’s time to abolish Electoral College system
Concerning “Justices fear chaos, bribery if states can’t bind electors’ votes” (May 14): I’m less interested in whether states can require presidential electors to back their state’s popular vote winner in the Electoral College, and more interested in abolishing the Electoral College altogether.
It has essentially disenfranchised millions of voters in both the 2000 and the 2016 presidential elections by enabling the candidates with fewer popular votes, former President George W. Bush and President Donald J. Trump, respectively, to be declared the winners. Furthermore, maintaining the Electoral College causes candidates to focus their attention on socalled battleground states like Ohio and Florida, while ignoring other parts of the country. Given our nation’s recent election history, the time is long past due to end this antiquated system.
Karl Gustaffson, Half Moon Bay
Promoted quackery
Regarding “Biden has lead in most polls — so why are Dems worried?” (May 14): With Election Day still almost six months away, an eternity in politics, I’m less worried about prospective Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s future prospects than I am about President Donald J. Trump’s continuing ability to wreak havoc through his inept handing of the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike Biden, who relies on the advice of scientists and medical experts, Trump promotes quackery and is dismissive of warnings by infectious disease experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Tragically, this 45th president, who could be using his bully pulpit to promote a unified and coherent response to COVID19, merely uses it to be a bully.
Jasmine TurnerHall, Oakland
Flying blind
Regarding “Restaurants, gyms to reopen” (Across the nation, May 14): I’m mystified to read that Iowa is allowing fitness centers, salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors and massage therapists to reopen in all 99 of its counties, despite the fact that coronavirus deaths in that state had surged for the second straight day (surpassing 300), and while Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state’s medical director were selfisolating after potentially being exposed to the virus at the White House last week. Although Iowa is known as The Hawkeye State, Reynolds and her advisors are clearly flying blind.
Priscilla Massey, San Francisco
Amazon’s competition
Regarding “S.F. stores get OK for Monday reopening” (May 14): Even if local stores are soon allowed to offer prospective customers curbside sales and pickups of online orders, after having been shuttered for weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is still a big obstacle they have to overcome. It’s a business that offers a plethora of choices and free home delivery (to Prime members) called Amazon.
George Alexandrou, San Francisco
Unrealistic approach
If Gov. Gavin Newsom does not plan to fully lift restrictions until the day the modelers assure him it is absolutely, positively, guaranteed 100% riskfree and safe to do so, that day is never going to come. A vaccine might not be found for years, if ever. Let’s be willing to accept this reality and adjust our timeline accordingly.
The Chronicle has reported multiple times that there are ample hospital beds and ventilators to accommodate the inevitable, unavoidable uptick in cases that is certain to occur as soon as restrictions are lifted, be that now or be it later. Relinquishing decisionmaking and control exclusively to science and data personnel is abdication, not leadership. Other voices have a right to participate in the conversation. The requirement to conduct 60,00080,000 COVID19 tests per day for an unspecified number of days and to train 20,000 contact tracers before we can fully reopen is unrealistic. Our “parachute” isn’t going to let us hover one inch off the ground forever.
Belinda Berry, Walnut Creek
Solidarity of recovery
Regarding “City’s donors earn spotlight with virus fund” (May 13): It was so good to learn more about Give2SF in Heather Knight’s column recently. Maybe the paper can’t toot its own horn, but the Chronicle’s Season of Sharing Fund is also at work now to help those in the city who need rent and food support.
There are other organizations, of course, and the San FranciscoMarin Food Bank comes quickly to mind, as does the Salvation Army. It might be helpful for the paper to publish a list of all the larger organizations able to offer help and to explain how those in need can make contact and get assistance.
The solidity of our recovery depends on how much help is available now to keep us housed and fed and, above all, alive and healthy! It can’t be said often enough: We are all in this together!
Amanda Hamilton, San Francisco
No masks, no ride
Regarding “Masks key to getting transit back on track” (May 13): I don’t understand why Muni Director Jeffrey Tumlin and BART General Manager Robert Powers both blithely dismissed physically removing people who refuse to wear masks from our mass transit vehicles.
Why this nambypamby reluctance to get tough with individuals who, by their actions, are putting everyone’s lives at risk? We all know there are some disrespectful people out there who will not comply with these very logical public health orders. I say, throw them off the bus or train and cite them. If Muni and BART want to continue to exist, then aggressive enforcement of the mask orders is going to be required.
Steve Heimoff, Oakland