The coronavirus situation has made at least one thing clear. Most Americans are thinking rationally. We want the latest information from the medical community given to us by the media without any hysterics or bias. After all, we are all in this together, and it benefits everyone to use common sense along with medical knowledge. I continue to have faith in the American people and their ability to cut the wheat from the chaff.
— Sue Atkenson, Palos Park
U.S. reliance on Chinese goods
One thing the coronavirus has exposed is our overdependence on China to produce goods, vitamins and medical supplies. While I can understand companies wanting to lower production costs, the current situation has shown just how dangerous it is to become overly dependent on a country that is not an ally. It is therefore critically important for us to rebuild our production capabilities to avoid calamities like this one. Given the current health crisis, it shouldn’t be too difficult to convince companies of this need. Let’s hope so. Moreover, let’s not make this a political issue, but instead a bipartisan effort.
— Dan Schuchardt, Glen Ellyn
Chicago should cancel parade
It is very irresponsible for the city to continue with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that will bring together a mass of people, some from out of town, in Chicago. Boston and Dublin have canceled celebrations due to risk of coronavirus spread. Illinois declared a state of emergency. The virus is spreading at an exponential rate around the world. Yet Chicago officials want to celebrate an Irish holiday that Ireland isn’t going to celebrate.
— Antonio Trillo, Glen Ellyn
National aid for Americans
Has our government taken into account the number of jobs being lost because of the coronavirus and its impact on our economy? Can such economic losses be regained? Unlike politicians who are paid for representing us and are protected by low-cost medical attention, others are not so fortunate.
We need a national position on such aid. How many people can wait for help to begin?
Elected officials need to be honest with the public about a solution rather than play politics. I trust our medical officials over politicians.
— Vincent Kamin, La Grange
Why voting can be frustrating
It’s not too difficult to understand why there are so many who choose not to participate in our political process. In Illinois, our primary is still a week away — and yet the Democratic nominee has essentially been decided by the results of about one-third of states. It would be understandable, advisable, even, for Illinoisans to have refrained from early voting in this primary election, knowing that their candidate of choice might not remain in the race.
Unfortunately, Illinoisans cannot turn to the general election for respite, when our state is not considered competitive enough for presidential aspirants to expend their time and resources here. I will watch Tuesday’s elections with great interest and will vote in next week’s primary election.
But let us temper our frustrations with low voter turnout with the realities that drive it.
— Andrew Storm, Chicago
The appeal of democratic socialism
I am an 82-year-old woman. I have not yet decided who will get my vote in the upcoming elections. However, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about the correct meaning of terms such as “democracy,” “socialism,” “democratic socialism,” “communism,” “dictatorship,” etc. They will learn that democratic socialism and socialism are not the same. Many Americans are unclear as to what democratic socialism really is. We need to learn about places like Finland and the Scandinavian countries where democratic socialism is the norm.
We need to ask ourselves why it is that every year, when studies are done to determine where in the world the people are happiest — in terms of health care, education, pensions, equality of opportunity, etc. — Finland and the Scandinavian countries are always in the top positions. According to the 2019 World Happiness Report, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland ranked in the top five. The United States ranked 19th. Maybe democratic socialism isn’t all that bad.
— Flora Breidenbach, Elmwood Park
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