WHO leader must apologize to Taiwan

Re the April 9 Associated Press story “Taiwan protests WHO leader’s accusations of racist campaign:” Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ statement is simply untrue and unfounded, with no proof demonstrated. Taiwan and its government solemnly and severely condemn all forms of discrimination. We are indeed a nation of diversity, and understand more than most other nations the experience of isolation and discrimination. Due to unnecessary political pressure, Taiwan has found itself systematically excluded from most international organizations, including the World Health Organization.

Nevertheless, Taiwan refuses to turn its back on the needs of the global community. It has maintained the health and happiness of its people, as has been lauded globally. It has shared its valuable experience in combating COVID-19 and donated medical supplies to its allies and countries in need.

Ghebreyesus’ unfounded claims do absolutely nothing for the battle being waged against the spread of COVID-19 and needlessly sully Taiwan’s sterling reputation for excellence in medical treatment, greatly damaging the country’s efforts.

We ask Ghebreyesus to maintain neutrality and professionalism and halt any further inaccurate accusation against Taiwan. We also ask that he amend the smear against Taiwan by putting aside all political discrimination, inviting Taiwan to fully participate in all WHO meetings and mechanisms regarding the fight against COVID-19 and restoring Taiwan’s observer status in the World Health Assembly, so that together we can fight this common threat against humanity.

– David Chien, director general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office,

Miami

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

With the start of Passover, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we observe the most holy days in the Judeo-Christian tradition in these tumultuous days of the pandemic together.

Can you imagine the fear and uncertainty of those sheltered-in-place in their homes as the Angel of Death covered the land of the Pharaoh as they awaited deliverance? And centuries later, for the disciples of Jesus the Nazarene, when they learned of their rabbi’s arrest and crucifixion, what fate awaited them? Doubt and fear surely gripped them as they huddled in an upper room.

Many hundreds of lifetimes and other pandemics later, we are confronted with our own fears, doubts and uncertainties — and we are not alone. Separated yes, but together in this turmoil and working our way out. May we help each other to find faith over fear and peace over peril.

– John Edward Smith,

Miami

KIDS TODAY

My 7-year-old son asked me, “Are we going to have Easter this year? What if the Easter bunny has coronavirus? We do not want him in our house!” I assured him the rabbit is immune from coronavirus, and we will indeed have Easter.

While we were driving to my parents’ house, my son pointed out people in Miami Beach wearing medical masks while walking and bicycling along the street. My 3-year-old daughter told her brother, with total confidence, “That’s because they are all doctors!”

Happy Easter. Happy Passover.

Stay healthy and safe.

– Tracy Towle Humphrey,

Miami

EASTER AT HOME

I am not a member of any organized religion but I do believe Jesus was, at least, a brilliant historical figure who gave us a way to live in peace and harmony. In his wisdom, he would prefer for us to stay at home, with our families, and be safe this Easter Sunday. If one takes the Bible as the word of God, clearly one can stay home and observe the faith, as you will be in the presence of God.

I hope everyone survives this virus and we come out of it more compassionate and loving toward our fellow human beings and toward our collective home, the Earth.

– Marlene H. Dow,

Miami

BROKEN WEBSITE

The April 10 story “Florida spends $100M to fix broken site for benefits” states “since mid-March the state’s unemployment website... has been broken by the workload.”

I worked for two decades in a law firm. From my experience in helping clients try to claim unemployment, the website known as CONNECT was a broken system from inception, and the Department of Economic Opportunity had no interest in recognizing it or in fixing it.

Why the interest, effort, and expense now? Might it be that it’s not just the chronically impoverished who face the despair of unemployment and need to file a claim?

– Michael Conway,

Miami Beach

MIAMI NICE

While shopping recently at my local Fresco market, a young man asked why I wasn’t wearing a mask. He had noticed the school emblem on my cap and noted that a friend of his had attended the same university. I explained that I had been unable to obtain one despite my efforts to do so. He departed the check-out before I did, but upon my leaving the store, he returned to present me with a new mask, saying that he had found an extra one in his car.

Decency and support for others still exists.

– Joel H. Beyer,

Miami

MODERN LIFE

Beauty, nail salons, barbershops (and their supply chains), if they survive, will be the small businesses that lead us out of the financial gloom. In the meantime, wearing hats may return to fashion. I suspect Amazon and its suppliers will soon be out of home hair cutting and coloring kits.

People may relearn the value of saving for a rainy day. It is not so easy for many working people who already struggle these days, but as we are learning the hard way, it is essential.

Who knew toilet paper was the new gold?

Growing up in the 1950s, masks were associated with Zorro and the Lone Ranger. Not so much anymore.

Politicians who require people to endanger their lives to do their civic duty ought to be permanently quarantined. What happened to common sense?

– Robert Kemper,

Pinecrest

BLAME GAME

I am also in agreement with the April 9 letter, “Problem solver,” and with Sen. Rick Scott, that in times of crisis, we should not look for people to blame, but focus our time and energy on solving problems.

So I guess there are at least three of us who acknowledge that President Trump has failed miserably by that yardstick, as he has successively blamed China, the Democratic Party, President Obama and the WHO for the problem while not coming up with any solid solution.

– Rick Blake, Palmetto Bay

FARM WORKERS

The April 9 opinion by Andres Oppenheimer, “Immigrants on the front lines of COVID-19 fight. Trump should treat them better,” is great as far as it goes. Healthcare workers and the rest of us shut-ins must eat, too.

The food we buy at the super markets is planted and harvested by immigrants in places like Homestead and Immokalee. Because of labor shortages, food is rotting in the fields today, as recently reported in the Herald. We need more farm workers, not fewer. There will be no apology by President Trump as Oppenheimer requests.

– Tom Comerford,

Pompano Beach

DRACONIAN RULE

To the officials who purport to serve the best interests of those they represent: Whose interests were you serving when you ordered the people to be 6 feet apart upon entering stores but prevented us from using one of the most restorative health locations on Earth — the beaches?

Which specific order of fear did you borrow when forcing this rule upon those you are harming with this rule?

Response unnecessary. All should hold this thought the next time we’re deciding who should remain to serve our best health interests.

– Joseph S. Shook,

Coral Gables

‘‘ THE WORLD HAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. OLD FOLKS ARE SNEAKING OUT OF THE HOUSE, AND THEIR KIDS ARE YELLING AT THEM TO STAY INDOORS.

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