Remote learning isn’t working for K-5 students, their parents. Return to the classroom.

Remote learning

Wake up Wake County and get these K-5 students back to school. Virtual learning is failing our kids. Parents have to work for a living. They have no time to teach all day and keep their jobs, not to mention their sanity.

Several counties have already opened schools for grades K-5, proving that some school leaders understand the majority of young kids are not successful with remote learning. Monday’s editorial cartoon, depicting remote learning in “theory” and “practice,” was spot-on in confirming this failure.

Nancy Bagley, Morehead City

Tillis, vaccines

On Sept. 9, Sen. Thom Tillis introduced legislation to force that if a United States company develops an effective vaccine, all Americans will need to be vaccinated before it can be shared with other countries. This dangerous legislation may cause other countries that develop an effective vaccine first to “retaliate” and not share their effective vaccines with our health care workers and first responders until all of their citizens are vaccinated.

Donald Nelson, Durham

Well done, Trump

Bob Woodward criticizes President Trump for downplaying the seriousness of coronavirus. Trump correctly tried to avoid panic.

Trump restricted travel from China. Trump gave daily briefings. He had industry begin producing masks, protective gear and ventilators. He had the Army Corps of Engineers build field hospitals. He moved Navy hospital ships to New York and Los Angeles. He initiated Operation Warp Speed to reduce the time required to develop a vaccine.

He had industry start producing large quantities of those vaccines so there will be millions of doses available.

In other words, he had the foresight to put us on a wartime footing. That’s real leadership!

Lloyd Hedgepeth, Lillington

Trump and science

President Trump’s unwillingness to put science to use for the protection of the American people has led to thousands of needless deaths due to COVID-19. Now we have the horrendous wildfires in the West and he apparently still thinks the climate crisis is a hoax?

NASA scientist James Hanson testified to Congress in 1988 of the dangers of fossil fuel burning. That industry went on the defensive with an effective 30-year campaign of denial. Now, our president is coddling the fossil fuel industry whose CO2 emissions are scientifically proven to be the dominant cause of a crisis that grows more dangerous each year. While lives, homes, whole towns and huge forests are being lost, what does he offer? Deregulation?

Lies and inaction are inexcusable. Corpses keep piling up at his door.

Nancy Corson Carter, Chapel Hill

2020 election

Let’s think about grandkids during this presidential campaign. What will they need to achieve a secure middle-class life in the decades ahead?

How about:

▪ Affordable college or technical training.

▪ Health insurance that does not depend on where they work in a volatile economy.

▪ Programs to help them afford their first house.

▪ Social Security protected from cutbacks.

▪ A leader who can heal racial divisions, establish trust in police, and move the nation toward unity.

Washington works when a president with a plan inspires Congress to pass a program and a budget for it. If Donald Trump has plans for our grandkids, they are well hidden.

Tom Fehsenfeld, Asheville

Essential workers

I’m having a hard time understanding the concerns the N.C. departments of Agriculture and Labor have about the governor’s executive order protecting agriculture and meat processing workers. (Sept. 11)

Are these not essential workers? Or, does it have to do with the workers themselves? Many are from other countries, some documented, some not. They’re among the most vulnerable population, yet are some of the most critical workers needed to keep the food supply chain moving.

At times like this society must pull together and protect the most vulnerable, particularly those critical to our survival. Love and protect neighbors. Put health and safety before profit.

Henry Jarrett, Raleigh

N.C. chapter, Methodist Federation for Social Action

R. Kelly Bryant

Sept. 16 marks the 10th anniversary of the formal state transportation dedication of the R. Kelly Bryant Bridge. The blue light of the pedestrian archway serves as a “rainbow of welcome” as motorists enter Durham.

The bridge also salutes a gentle giant of a man who helped preserve and promote a broad array of Durham history.

Let us wave and think of his legacy each time we pass under the blue lights of the bridge that honors him.

Eddie Davis, Durham

This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Remote learning isn’t working for K-5 students, their parents. Return to the classroom.."