Protect students, teachers
School safety
Regarding “Schools need a plan,” (A14, July 1): We all must demand that schools are not punished financially for protecting their students, teachers and the entire community. Local school administrators do not have the power to change state funding formulas or suspend regulations. Let’s not put them between a rock and a hard place having to make decisions where they are left to “balance” students, faculty and staff health against state mandated test objectives and other state requirements. John McManus, Pearland
Accept responsibility
Regarding “Cowardly Texas leaders failed COVID-19 test, and we suffer,” (B1, July 1): So Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick knows more about the coronavirus than Dr. Anthony Fauci? Then Patrick must accept some responsibility for explaining the current surge of cases in our major Texas cities that Dr. Fauci warned us about. After all, Patrick supported reopening the state while ignoring medical warnings and state reopening guidelines, not to mention disregarding the wearing of masks. And Patrick needs to stop hiding behind the skirts of “plenty of hospital beds in Texas” and acknowledge the looming specter of the shortage of beds in our major cities. The availability of beds in the hinterlands will not help Harris County. Patrick’s comments in this article lack both knowledge and maturity. I thank the Houston Chronicle for running the article so that this man’s shortcomings are apparent. Judith M. Hungerford, Houston
Finally! Thanks to Chris Tomlinson for stating plainly what has become obvious: “Abbott and Patrick caved for their whack-job supporters, and the money, of course.” Yes, always the money. And we, the people of Texas, are paying the price
— and a very high price it will be. What I can’t understand is why the advocates for “saving the economy” think that it is an either-or proposition — either the “economy” or people’s lives. There will be no economy to save as death and destruction overtake us.
But again, thanks to Mr. Tomlinson for his clarity. Jacqueline Clark, Houston
Thank you Chris Tomlinson for your honest assessment of the cowardly state of Texas leadership in combating COVID-19 and the resulting suffering of the citizens of the state. It is difficult to comprehend the massive failures that have occurred and are continuing. Gov. Greg Abbott and “team” had the goal of economic rather than health recovery, and now we have neither. Only need to look to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for effective leadership through the crisis. Texas will be damaged for many years to come. Mary Cook, Houston