To the Editor:
Re “Trump Pivots in Declaring Pandemic Is Getting Worse in the U.S.” (news article, July 22):
As President Trump resumed his ineffectual daily briefings, he made the startling admission that his administration was “in the process of developing a strategy” to combat the pandemic. After more than 140,000 have died in the United States, Mr. Trump is finally addressing the issue. His malfeasance has cost many people their lives, and we must remember this as we vote in November.
Bill Gottdenker
Mountainside, N.J.
To the Editor:
It was April 3 when the C.D.C. asked Americans to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Then 109 days later, on July 21, President Trump finally agreed to tell Americans that wearing face masks would help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
That’s 109 days that the president allowed Americans to believe it was OK not to wear face masks. During that time about 130,000 more Americans died of Covid-19. How many of those 130,000 might not have died had it not been for Mr. Trump’s 109 days of silence?
Peter Flemming
West Caldwell, N.J.
To the Editor:
Re “We Searched for Covid-19 Data. Here’s What We Couldn’t Find” (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, July 21):
Tom Frieden and Cyrus Shahpar identified the critical data that is needed to help the United States get the Covid-19 pandemic under control. Getting test results quickly is one of these critical data points.
I was tested in Corvallis, Ore., on July 9. I am still waiting for my results as I write on July 21. Completely useless turnaround time to control a pandemic. We have to do better than this.
Bonnie Bailey
Corvallis, Ore.
Jersey Shore Maxim, for Today
To the Editor:
Re “The Real Horror of ‘Jaws,’” by Jennifer Weiner (Op-Ed, July 8):
I was a 6-year-old girl when the movie “Jaws” was released in 1975. I spent most of my days barefoot and wearing only my bathing suit.
My family took a trip to the New Jersey Shore a couple of summers after “Jaws” was released, and I remember seeing the signs in the windows of the seashore shops saying “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service.” I knew then as an elementary-school child that I couldn’t go into a store to buy ice cream or saltwater taffy unless I had my shoes on.
If a shop owner in the summer of 2020 is asking me to wear a mask for my safety and the well-being of those around me, you’d better believe that I’ll have on my shirt, my shoes and my mask.
Amanda Barnes
East Greenwich, R.I.