College studentathletes need to unionize
College football players want to boycott games if they are forced to play during the virus. It is time for players to be paid by the schools for services rendered.
They need to unionize to protect themselves from the virus, concussions and for fair wages.
Robert Cromey, San Francisco
Chaotic visuals
Concerning “Portland protest calm after U.S. forces pull back” (Aug. 1): Even though Oregon Gov. Kate Brown negotiated with the Trump administration to begin the withdrawal of federal troops from Portland, the president got what he wanted: video of violent clashes between protesters and troops that he will say are typical of chaos and anarchy in liberal Democratic areas.
And President Trump will surely claim that only he, as the law-and-order candidate, can restore calm, and not his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Voters can only hope that the Biden campaign will hit back with video of federal troops being used to clear protesters from Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., so that Trump could stroll to a nearby church to hold up a Bible (upside down!) for a photo op.
Sadly, virtual campaigning during the coronavirus pandemic will increasingly rely on visual information that is sometimes staged in order to sway the electorate.
Hector Maldonado, Pinole
Reckless mentality
The reason that “Contact tracing has largely failed in many states” (Aug. 1) during the coronavirus pandemic is the same one that explains why cases have recently surged: human selfishness. Since some people recklessly chose to socialize in large groups, without masks, particularly at reopened bars and beaches in late May and early June, why would the government expect those same people to willingly selfquarantine for two weeks if told they’d been exposed to someone with COVID19?
Sadly, the attitude of too many Americans, even at this point in the health crisis, is looking out for number one instead of looking out for everyone.
Marisol Echevaria, Daly City
Keep the books clean
I just read with interest “S.F. libraries to offer book pickup outside” (Aug. 3): Palo Alto Library is going that direction, as well. I stopped using the library services many years ago, opting to order books from Amazon, then donating some when we’ve finished reading them, keeping others to add to our 650plus collection.
The library volumes more often than not were very dirty with what appeared to be food/drink stains. In this pandemic time, I think borrowing would be a worstcase scenario. Will library personnel be disinfecting/cleaning all the books when they are returned before they are put out for pickup by the next person(s)? I think probably not.
Barbara Cleveland, Palo Alto
Selfish patrons
Regarding “Chefs forgo profits for public health” (Front Page, Aug. 3): A comment by Sharon Ardiana, chefowner of local Italian restaurants Gialina, Ardiana and Ragazza, about being reluctant to argue with outdoor patrons who refuse to wear masks, caught my eye: “People are funny because right now, they really don’t want to be told what to do.” Actually, when people refuse to engage in basic health safety practices during a health pandemic, they’re just being selfish.
Hiram Fletcher, San Francisco
Benefits of data
In “Poor data collection hampers tracking” (Front Page, Aug. 2), I really appreciate that Erin Allday brought attention to the need to release even more COVID19 data in California. Epidemiologists and data scientists surely could do wonders by examining, say, transmission locations or occupations of those infected. However, in managing California Health Care Foundation’s Free the Data initiative, where I partnered with state staff to open up access to health data, I learned it’s not just important to tell government agencies why they need to make data available, but also demonstrate to them how they can do this. Public health staff are surely overwhelmed and overworked.
My experience in working with them, both at the state and local level, is that they’re dedicated public servants, eager to do what’s best. So let’s help government out.
Let’s show them how other government agencies are successfully surmounting legal barriers preventing access to data. Let’s help them envision the prize we’re aiming for by demonstrating how these data improve public health and save lives. And let’s show them that there is an army of experts outside of government ready to help, perhaps through data challenges where we can collaborate to create apps and analyses.
Andy Krackov, San Carlos
Deadly strategies
I’m flabbergasted to read in “Battling coronavirus blindfolded” (Editorial, Aug. 1) that President Trump’s soninlaw, Jared Kushner, who was heading a coronavirus task force, had developed, and then abandoned, a national testing plan on the grounds that most of the virus victims were expected to be in Democraticleaning states and cities.
It looks like Trump is pursuing two strategies to help secure his reelection. The first one is to fuel voters’ fears that millions of ballots sent by mail will result in massive fraud. The second one is to try and kill off the voters who want to cast their ballots for his opponent, Joe Biden.
This editorial correctly identified Kushner as Trump’s consigliere, because his fatherinlaw is behaving more like a mob boss than as a president.
Donna Delvecchio, Santa Clara
In defense of TikTok
Regarding “Trump says he’ll act to ban TikTok in US as soon as Saturday” (sfchronicle.com, July 31): Last fall, I downloaded TikTok out of curiosity. Much has changed since then, especially during the shelter in place. Now, I see videos from political cries to personal stories to movie recommendations.
On this endlessly creative platform, Generation Z users have an opportunity to share their thoughts with a broad audience. Seeing so many teens feel the same way reminds me that I’m not alone. In fact, one might even be concerned by the bleak outlook Generation Z has on life. However, TikTok is also a space for people to voice their opinions and rally for others’ support (as was done during President Trump’s Tulsa rally). It was amazing to be a part of something bigger than yourself, to watch real people speak of police brutality, sexism and other injustices. While TikTok definitely has its flaws, I hope Trump will also recognize the work it has done in bringing a generation together.
Emily Deng, Atherton
Cashless convenience
Concerning “Pandemic sets stage for cashfree future” (Business, Aug. 3): I used to think that the only people who eschewed paper money and coins in favor of ATM cards and online transactions were germaphobes. But during this health crisis, I’ve come to understand both the convenience and necessity of purchases without cash. Who knows, maybe there will be governmentissued plastic currency cards in the future featuring American flags (or symbols like the Statue of Liberty) and the words “The United States of Safety.”
Raneesh Patel, Redwood City
Work harder, Barr
If the honorable Attorney General William Barr is so concerned about voter fraud, why is he not diligently working to prevent it? Pierre Messerli, Pacifica