Expand testing for COVID19 nationwide
If we want to reopen schools according to the guidelines suggested by health officials, it’s time for the federal government to implement a coordinated national response to COVID19. The Bay Area has been lauded for its response to this crisis so far, but city and state officials can only do so much.
Though we’ve improved testing capacity here, some counties like San Mateo and Contra Costa still haven’t met their goals. To meet the demand schools will bring, we need action from the federal government. Specifically, Congress should pass legislation to utilize the Defense Production Act to dramatically increase the quantity of tests and vital supplies like masks, coordinate with states to expand the number of labs equipped to conduct tests, and expand drivethrough and hometesting options. The hope for a return to a more normal life will only come through collaboration and coordination between federal, state and local authorities. Our political system depends on the federal government helping states when threats arise that are beyond their capacity to handle by themselves. Congress, it seems, has failed us. Congress must do its job, protect the people and pass an effective national COVID19 response now.
Philip Whitfield, San Jose
Godfatherinchief
Concerning “Utter contempt for the rule of law” (Editorial, July 13): The president’s pardon of Roger Stone, who was convicted for witness tampering and lying to Congress while it investigated Russian sabotage of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, is simply part of his mobboss style of rule: You remain loyal to me and I’ll protect you. As for most of the GOP senators and congressional members who stay silent as Trump continues his ruthless term as godfatherinchief, here’s a good Mafia word to describe their acquiescence: consigliere (advisers to a crime boss).
Donna Delvecchio, Santa Clara
Listen to the teachers
As a Marin mother and educator celebrating 25 years of public service to students and my community as a teacher, principal, district office administrator and, most recently, doctor in organizational leadership, there is no more urgent time than now in public education to really listen to teachers, support staff and their principals. These are the people, besides us parents, who directly create an environment that positively transforms the lives of our children.
The research is clear — teachers first, principals second, and superintendents, who, indirectly, have the most impact on the success of our students in whatever place school ends up being.
Please listen to your students’ teachers and support staff, as our caring and competent teachers know to listen to their students first. Collaborative and supportive principals know to listen to their teachers in planning, and their transformative superintendent knows the research on who in schools has the most impact on student social/emotional wellbeing and academic success: a student’s teacher.
Michele Crncich Hodge, Mill Valley
Address systemic racism
Regarding “Berkeley may curb cop traffic stops” (Page 1, July 13): Berkeley’s proposed notpolice department to deal with traffic citations may allow for some mitigation, but it can’t address systemic racism embedded in U.S. criminal justice. To address systemic racism, training academies and the hierarchical system of policing and police association power have to be dismantled, then reorganized statewide and nationally within a popular culture that emphasizes the protection of human rights and justice over wealth and property rights. Many cops know their role in promoting and protecting the existing order includes defending inequalities, putting them at odds with various communities. That has to change. Without justice, we’ll never have peace or end systemic racism.
Marc Sapir, Berkeley
Disaster to reopen
Regarding “Students’ behavior threatens colleges’ reopening hopes” (Page 1, July 10): You reported that many UC Berkeley students had already contracted the coronavirus in frat parties. Reopening colleges and schools will be a disaster. The virus harms even young people and disables and kills many immunecompromised and older people. President Trump and his followers want schools reopened so the economy might rebound in time to save his reelection bid.
Trump does not care about anyone but himself. We will need remote learning and working at least until we get a new president next January. And if Joe Biden supporters manage to pull him much more to the left, with voter suppression and wellfinanced lying, we could still end up with Trump for four more years or until we are dead — whichever occurs first.
Gary Wesley, Mountain View
‘All lives matter’ issue
The problem with the statement that “all lives matter” is that actions speak louder than words. If all lives mattered in this country, everyone would have access to stateoftheart medical care, be housed, wellfed and educated to realize their full potential.
Until then, I’ll say loud and clear that Black Lives Matter, because apparently we need to be reminded.
Jerilu Breneman, Sebastopol
Disingenuous claim
Regarding “3 GOP lawsuits dropped after mail ballot law passes” ( July 12): The Republican declaration that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s votebymail emergency move is a brazen power grab is beyond disingenuous. Do Republicans really feel that enfranchising all voters is somehow going to result in a distortion of democracy? What exactly is it they are afraid of ? That the will of the people will result in a more equitable distribution of justice and income?
David Hirzel, Pacifica
Denounce Polish leader
Regarding “Hotly contested runoff election too close to call” ( July 13): Whatever the final results are, I’m deeply disappointed that about onehalf of the voters in Poland chose to give their votes to current President Andrzej Duda, who denounced the LGBT rights movement as an “ideology” worse than communism. His demagoguery is unworthy of a country belonging to the European Union, and should be denounced by all of its member nations, as well as by the U.S.
Finn MacLaughlin, Daly City
Enough of the bullying
Threats and bullying as a leadership style? Why is it that President Trump, and his administration, can only approach common problems with threats and bullying and revenge? Threatening to cut off funding for states or schools that do not reopen. Bullying cities that will not allow dangerous rallies.
Orchestrated revenge to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci because Americans trusted his advice on COVID19 more than, heaven forbid, pandemic denier Trump. These are not the traits of a successful leader, either in public service or private industry. This is not what successful business people do, contrary to what many who voted for Trump define as proven results.
Business leaders who succeed do it based upon motivation, empowerment and collaboration, not petty vindictiveness and financial blackmail. Oh, right, Trump has gotten away with these tactics and never paid the real consequences for his failure. Yet.
Noelle Robbins, Alameda