Letters and feedback: June 2, 2020

I want to shop local again but ...

An open letter to Brevard businesses: I want to come back to your stores, to your businesses as you reopen. I've always chosen local over a chain or online if I could. Some of you have chosen to wear masks and have your staff do so, some of you haven't. I really want to patronize local businesses once again — but unless you and your staff are wearing masks, I just can't.

I'm not here to argue the politics of masks — I'm just telling you what I and so many of my neighbors are doing, so that perhaps you'll understand why we're not in your stores, restaurants, and businesses. 

Thirty-five percent of Brevard residents are in the "at risk group" — a quarter over age 65, and let's add another 10% for diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer, etc. 

It's not hard to wear a mask, and it shows that you respect and care about your customers. Brevard COVID-19 cases are still rising — nine on May 23, five more on May 24 and more since, along with 13 deaths by June 1. I'm not talking about a requirement that your customers wear masks. I really do want to patronize local shops and restaurants and businesses again, rather than shop online. We all do. But without the staff wearing masks, many of us simply can't. Please consider your customers. Thank you.

Stacey Sharp, Cape Canaveral

'We still live in a free country'

I write in response to the recent letter titled "Who thought this was a good idea?" regarding the photo showing the crowd on the A. Max Brewer Bridge after the May 27 launch was scrubbed.

The writer states, "I couldn't believe my eyes when I glanced at the May 28 paper to see the page 1 photo of a sea of humanity slammed against each other, cheek by jowl, on the Max Brewer bridge." The writer goes on to state, "The individual I blame is our very own sheriff."

While local government officials and law enforcement could have done things differently, the ones responsible are the people themselves, who chose to gather in this way. We still live in a free society and people can choose to do this.

I disagree with blaming the sheriff in this case.

Ken Webb, Melbourne

Space-loving crowds arrive early despite downpours — and cheer in spite of disappointment

Policy group's duties are critical

Regarding reducing the role of the Brevard Policy Group, called into action when there is a declared county state of emergency, I think the officials and many citizens do not understand why emergency management was designed by FEMA to function with a special group in charge and not be managed by politicians.

Elected officials are (a) politically motivated and seek re-election and at risk of turnover; and (b) are not experts in the applicable fields nor familiar with the varied departments that are activated during an emergency and must be tightly coordinated and operate for our safety.

FEMA designed a national program that is followed by every other county in America so I am stumped as to why folks think removing that structure increases function and safety.

If we had been hit like San Francisco or New York, do you think the commissioners would be best suited to respond? Do a little internet research on "county emergency management planning" and you will see that *nobody* does it that way and for very good reason.

Lisa Packard, Indialantic

If sheriff leads EMD, role must be defined

It is difficult for me to believe anyone would want to take on additional work duties, without increased pay, unless there is a possible avenue for revenue to support another obligation for which one is already holding.

Sheriff Ivey has volunteered his services as head of the Emergency Management Department, another demanding workload on this fine servant for Brevard County.  In time, I can see where one could rationalize the use of Emergency Management’s funds for the Brevard County Sheriff's Offce's needs, such as deputy overtime pay. 

The Brevard County Commission, which appears to favor the appointment of the sheriff for this additional responsibility, must stipulate that funds will remain intact and not shifted across lines if Sheriff Ivey or anyone else takes that seat — and that at the end of each budget session, all surpluses will be returned to the general fund.

Charles J, Adams, Titusville

Floridians deserve answers on COVID-19

Gov. DeSantis closed Florida too late and opened too early.

In May, there were over 22,000 new cases of coronavirus, and almost 1,200 more deaths in Florida. In one month, it's almost half of all deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Throughout the month, the average number of new cases, based on seven-day averages used by epidemiologists, did not decline; actually, at the end of May, there were more new daily cases of the coronavirus than at the end of April. The situation has not improved but worsened in May and certainly there was no justification for the governor's victory lap. 

The sad conclusions are based on official data provided by the Florida Department of Health. Since the public health statistics have recently been manipulated by the Department officials, the Floridians may have little faith even in accuracy of those depressing numbers.  

The big question is whether the governor was aware of the doctored statistics and made premature and consequential decisions to reopen the state based on his subordinates' falsified reports. All Florida citizens believing in transparency of our democracy deserve the answers.

Renata M. Charminski, Indian Harbour Beach

Border stop not necessary at this time

On May 29 I returned to Florida on I-95 and had to stop at the checkpoint set up at the weigh station just south of the state line. I was asked only, “Where are you coming from?" The reply was Georgia and that was enough to go through. Everyone was coming from Georgia even if they had originated in New York or New Jersey.

What a huge waste of money since the governor has reopened everything and huge crowds were here for the launch. Is this stoppage really still necessary?

Scott Means, Melbourne

'Violent mob' vs. peaceful demonstrators

I am fully in agreement with those people who are involved in a peaceful display of protest and unity. However, as soon as the first rock is thrown or fire set, those same peaceful demonstrators should immediately remove themselves from the scene. Then it would be totally obvious who the troublemakers are. It seems there are people in every demonstration who are just waiting for an opportunity to burn and loot. These troublemakers take the true meaning of the demonstration away and turn it into a violent mob. These perpetrators of violence should be dealt with in accordance with the law. Any means necessary should be used to stop their actions.

There have been too many instances of total civil disobedience stemming from what started out as a peaceful demonstration. Too many innocent people and businesses have been harmed by the actions of these mobs of violent criminals. This is the antithesis of the peaceful gathering in protest and detracts from the cause of the people who truly have the right and reason to be there. 

Gary Branch, Melbourne Beach

Thanks for editorial on POTUS failings

I would like to thank FLORIDA TODAY for printing the USA TODAY editorial on ways in which POTUS has failed us with regard to COVID-19. Most people already knew this but I was pleased to see the paper point this out for the benefit of those who were not aware. 

A letter writer asked if Joe Biden would have done a better job. As he had successfully dealt with pandemics as vice president, we know that he would have had a clue how to deal with it.  We can also say with certainty that he would not have lost precious months or called the virus a Republican hoax or fake news, thereby allowing the spread to continue, costing thousands of lives needlessly (as well as the damage to our 401Ks). In addition, Joe Biden has expressed sincere compassion with regard to those who perished, unlike Trump who has spent his time blaming others and touting his own imagined accomplishments. 

It's time for real leadership. We need someone who can work with Congress on both sides of the aisle with the knowledge and experience needed, including respect for medical science, to begin the hard work of pulling us out of this mess. 

Susan Termini, Merritt Island

Trump on top of things on COVID-19

We are pretty tired of people blaming our president for 100,000 deaths due to COVID-19. We would have had deaths in the millions if the left had been in the White House.

Trump shut down China flights in January. In February, Pelosi was in the streets of Chinatown encouraging people too come on down, while Schumer was calling Trump a racist for shutting those China flights down. If liberals were in office we would still be having flights in from China. No one is racist, no one blames the Chinese people; we blame the Communist China government. It's appalling how some twist the truth to suit their political agenda when the facts are right there in front of you.

Cuomo tries to blame Trump for nursing home deaths when Cuomo clearly did not follow the CDC guidelines he was instructed to follow and the media's making him out to be a heroic darling.

Wake up, America.

Robin Ricker, Titusville

'We have to right this ship' in 2020

So here we are, three and half years into the Trump administration.

We have Minnesota in flames, the economy in shambles, our status in the world on the downside, a pandemic that is still out of control, 102,000 dead and 1.7 million infected from disease — and a president who is worried about Twitter picking on him.

The erosion of our values and the immoral charechter of this president is overcome by his one talent, and that is to throw as many distractions out in the air in the middle of a crisis as possible. The idea that he can get Americans talking about Twitter and conspiracy theories is amazing. Think of four more years of this man at the helm of our country; he already is trying to screw up the election process.

Trump's only concern is for Trump. All you have to do is look at the moving goalpost of this pandemic's death toll and him playing the "victim." Even I can't believe he can get away with it.

The buck stops at the White House, period. We have never had in our history a president who completely ducks responsibility completely except when there is good news. He can only take our country further down with another term. When he was elected I thought we could be in trouble but he has far exceeded my worst fears.

Come November we have to right this ship and remove this man from office.

Mike Vogt, Satellite Beach