One year marks lawmakers’ failure to ‘do something’

Thanks to reporter Anna Staver and The Columbus Dispatch for highlighting that our state legislators and governor have so far had NO response to the cries of "Do something!" that came forward last year after the shootings in Dayton. In fact, the only gun bills getting hearings are ones that would likely bring less safety to Ohioans such as the stand-your-ground bill that we already know in other states increases gun violence and are most dangerous to people of color. They also held hearings recently on a bill to allow teachers to bring loaded weapons to school without necessarily having any training. Why are our legislators more interested in the gun lobby than in the people they serve?

Marcia Miller, Prairie Township

Trump has acted to protect American cities from violence

I respond to John Seiling’s Saturday letters. He stated that the citizens elected these leaders to run their cities, which is true. My question to him is, did the citizens realize their elected officials were going to allow their cities and businesses to be looted and burned to the ground as they were voting them into office?

Seiling claims that President Donald Trump is going to edge us into a civil war by sending federal officers into the cities to stop the violence and the citizens that live in these cities resent the president's help. When is the appropriate time to take action to stop all the violence? How many lives would have been saved if Al-qaida was destroyed early on? Let's never forget the twin towers on Sept. 11.

The antifa mob must be dealt with sooner rather than later. They already have a very dangerous and strong hold in these cities. Seiling also mentioned the Black Lives Matter protests being managed by the mayors. Did he forget about the innocent Black children that have been murdered by the drive-by shootings?

I do agree with part of Seiling’s last sentence, when he says it is time to get back to normalcy, unity and prosperity. Would he feel the same way if he lived in one of these Democratic cities?

I am proud of my president and his love for America and all that he has accomplished for all America. He is doing his duty to protect all American citizens.

Don Eastman, Grove City

Positivity rate is key stat in assessing coronanvirus progress

I read The Dispatch’s COVID-19 coverage daily. Because the paper does not routinely cite the positivity rate in daily reporting, I then have to turn to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center (https:// coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/individual-states/ohio) in order to have a full understanding of the current viral load in Ohio.

Reporting the number of new cases and deaths is not sufficient. Without the positivity rate, the new number of cases could simply be the result of increased testing. The World Health Organization says that where there is extensive testing for COVID-19, the positivity rate should remain below 5% for at least 14 days before restrictions can safely be eased.

Although once in a while the positivity rate makes it into a story, it is not reported daily as it should be. We have had some good news in Ohio in this regard over the past week. The positivity rate has been below the 5% threshold for the first time since early July. This fact has not been reported in the Dispatch.

In a recent New York Times article, Gov. Mike Dewine said that the first data points he looks at every morning are the positivity rate and number of deaths. I would be most grateful if The Dispatch could report the positivity rate daily along with the other important data points.

In these uncertain times, having the most accurate picture of the spread of this virus is critical for families weighing risk of infection on a daily basis, and it would be helpful to only have to check one source for that information.

Amanda Davey, Columbus

Dispatch is unreasonable in criticism of Trump, Portman

It shouldn’t be controversial to say that federal law enforcement should be able to protect federal buildings from vandalism and destruction. It also shouldn’t be controversial to say that Ohio law enforcement should protect the Ohio Statehouse from vandalism and destruction.

The Dispatch clearly has lost its common sense and abandoned law and order for the wishes of the mob. Sen. Rob Portman is absolutely right that The Columbus Dispatch repeatedly lets its hate of President Donald Trump color its reporting and degrade its journalistic integrity. Maybe that shouldn’t be surprising in 2020, but it’s still sad for our city and its flagship newspaper.

J.D. Kaplan, Dublin

Let’s all be compassionate; teachers aren’t the only ones afraid of virus

As a lifelong educator, I appreciate David Maywhoor’s concern (“Family must take precautions for possibility of teacher’s illness,” Saturday letter) for his partner’s safety in the classroom, but his statements seem melodramatic and misguided. I wonder if Maywhoor goes to grocery stores or restaurants. If so, has he considered the welfare of these essential workers? Has he pulled them aside and asked them if they have prepared their wills? Maybe he might like to talk to the nurses, police and corrections officers, restaurant workers and retail managers in my family who have served on the front line with responsibility, positivity and grace since the pandemic began.

These are challenging times, and we must be compassionate and respectful of each other’s fears. Most people would consider teachers to be essential workers; therefore, we must listen to their concerns and support their return to school. For those with preexisting conditions or high-risk family members, elearning instructional opportunities are an excellent alternative. Schools must provide sanitized facilities, social distancing and PPE.

Unfortunately, no workplace can be 100% secure. Therefore, if teachers are unwilling or unable to ever return to school, they should consider finding other employment. There is no single right answer for everyone, but no one should feel the need to be tacking up a "My Death To-do List" on the fridge.

Many teachers have been inspirational heroes during the pandemic. They want to go back to the classroom, and we are grateful for their perseverance. These educators are powerful reminders of how important it is to put our faith over our fears, and their voices should be heard through the noise.

Colleen Ruggieri, Westerville

Why doesn’t the buck stop with Dewine on Medicaid?

The Dispatch continues relentlessly to report on the absolute public fraud, corruption and utter lack of transparency that surrounds the Ohio Department of Medicaid, its director Maureen Corcoran and its outsourced third-party managed care operations and their outsourced and thrice-removed pharmacy benefit managers.

Sunday’s paper brought yet more sunshine to the dark underbelly that the Department of Medicaid is desperately trying to keep hidden from the taxpayers. This is Larry Householderlevel fraud and corruption at its finest.

Corcoran was appointed by Gov. Mike Dewine, and her position is a cabinet position in his administration. She serves at his will.

On April 22, Dewine defended former state health director Dr. Amy Acton by saying: “Any complaints about the policy of this administration need to be directed at me. I am the office holder, and I appointed the director. Ultimately, I am responsible for the decisions in regard to the coronavirus. The buck stops with me.”

Let me connect some dots and ask why Gov. Dewine isn’t similarly buckstopping in these matters of incredible lack of transparency and likely hundreds of millions of dollars of Medicaid fraud.

Adam Frix, Columbus