Not essential service
Regarding Homeland Security's edict--to appease the NRA--that gun retailers are offering an essential service and are thus allowed to stay open: Are the gun-rights people afraid the coronavirus will turn us all into a type of zombie that will break into people's houses and steal their food if not stopped by a gun?
This is "stand your ground" to a ridiculous extreme.
RENEE HUNTER
Conway
Not interested in us
Years ago, when the YMCA/YWCA abandoned the facility on 12th Street (near the Boys and Girls Club and Rebsamen Tennis Center), Carelink took it over for those citizens over 50. Dues were reasonable and it was wonderful. When Carelink ran into trouble, it approached the city about buying it, leasing it and somehow partnering to take it over. The city declined, stating that seniors could go to the Jim Dailey Fitness Center or to the Patrick Henry Hays Center in North Little Rock. After the city declined, Carelink tried to expand its dues-paying membership by dropping the age, but to no avail. The pool closed.
My main interest was the pool. The pool at Jim Dailey was always crowded. And noisy. With playful children. I support children, but when I want to relax in a pool and/or exercise in a pool, as someone over 50 years old, I want relative peace and quiet and calm.
And to tell the users of Carelink in that area--by my observation predominantly older black people--to somehow drive or catch a ride or bus to North Little Rock was shortsighted, out of touch with reality, and disrespectful.
Little Rock officials were conceding they couldn't compete with the city leaders of North Little Rock and they had no interest in trying.
I still don't think Little Rock city officials have a genuine interest in fitness for seniors--they are simply dangling this carrot to entice citizens to vote for the 1 percent sales tax. Senior centers will always be at the bottom of the city's wish list--if on it at all.
YOLANDA DREHER
Little Rock
It's only make-believe
Until you prove the existence of your god, you're playing make-believe in a fairy-tale world.
STEVE FOSTER
Fayetteville
Makes it more normal
A recent letter to the editor voiced appreciation for our sanitation workers. I agree. Hearing the trucks each week brings a smile, and makes life seem a bit more normal. And we also appreciate our postal workers who faithfully visit our homes six days a week, and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette delivery people who bring the news to our doorsteps each Sunday.
MARY N. WATERS
Little Rock
Need truth right now
This president has proven to be chronically inept in the handling of the coronavirus. I believe his neglect in addressing this situation from its inception reveals his moral and academic incompetence.
This administration has a reputation for being unconcerned about the poor and minority populations. It has catered to the rich, white supremacist and pseudo-Christian religious base through its legislation, policies and social/health-care policies.
This president has compromised the integrity of the news media by his lies and racism. Now he practices partisan politics by denying adequate help during a pandemic for states which do not support him. This is the kind of government our country has been subjected to, racist and inhumane treatment.
At a time for truth, we have a liar as president.
We need truth, justice, quality health care and a government for all people. We don't need a selfish, racist, ratings-prone bad actor pretending to be a god.
His actions can be the death of us. I didn't trust him before; I sure as hell don't trust him now.
DEBORAH SUTTLAR
Little Rock
Extraordinary doctor
I smiled when I saw the person on the cover of High Profile this past Sunday. I have had many cardiologists since 1986. I just counted 16 on my fingers. Some of them have been wonderful, and some not so much, starting in Pine Bluff, then to Arkansas Heart Hospital. I am literally a living miracle. I have had two bypasses, a bypass in femoral arteries, multiple balloon openings, and uncountable stents (35-ish).
But 2006 is memorable. Hospitalized for my second bypass, I was anemic, and the cause was determined to be stage 3 colon cancer. Cardiologist C.D. Williams was to be the heart surgeon. Surgery for both was considered risky. What to do, what to do? Dr. Williams said, "I'll just do both." So he did. Heart bypass and colon resection, removing 15 inches of colon and 12 lymph nodes. And here I am 14 years later.
He is a great doctor. His patients feel reassured, confident, and happy, He is extraordinary!
JIMMIE NORSWORTHY
Pine Bluff
Editorial on 04/04/2020