A wakeup call to be ready next time

Let’s keep history from repeating itself.

Once this COVID-19 pandemic has passed, we must do all in our power to be better prepared next time. Let’s not listen to those who call the pandemic a hoax. Let’s not listen to people who say to ignore it. The warning signs were there and the facts were real.

We once had a federal pandemic response team, but a decision was made that this team was not necessary and it was let go. We are a big country and can afford a little insurance.

We must stockpile urgent medical supplies to avoid similar delays in the future. It would be a better use of our tax dollars than a military parade.

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization offered us COVID-19 test kits, but our federal government decided not to use them. If we could have tested from the beginning and isolated those infected, it would have helped tremendously.

I hope and pray there will not be a next time, but if there is, there will be fewer deaths, less pressure on hospitals and less disruption of businesses if we are better prepared.

Tom DeDore, Garfield Ridge

Making the best of it

As our nation and most of the world hunkers down from the coronavirus pandemic, is it possible to reap some benefit from this downtime? The answer is yes.

The time we spend holed up in our homes can be used to improve the quality of lives. We can declutter our lives and homes. Our phones, computers, basements, closets, drawers and garages are full of stuff we no longer need or use. And this is a time to hold close to that which matters most — our families and our health.

Above all, don’t sit around all day. Get up every hour and walk around. And a few prayers won’t hurt.

Ned L.McCray, Tinley Park

Two governors versus Trump

As I spend part of my day listening to our leaders update us on the progress in the battle against the coronavirus, I am amazed by the stark differences in presentations by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker and President Donald Trump. Both governors show a remarkable comprehension of the danger we face. Both understand what needs to be done and how to do it. Both are articulate and respond well to questions.

Trump, though, is singularly uninformed and ignorant of the threat we face. He shows no empathy for those who are suffering, and he feels that we should prioritize economic issues over people. He is completely lacking in ideas and has yet to accept the major role the federal government should be playing in this crisis. He attacks those who ask questions and calls those with whom he disgrees derogatory names.

I can’t help but wish that Cuomo or Pritzker were president right now. Either one would give me confidence that we can get through this crisis and come out of it a stronger.

We don’t need four more years of a reality show celebrity who knows little about the job, refuses to learn — or maybe is unable to learn — and wants only to feed his ego and destroy those who won’t worship at his feet.

I fear for our democracy if Donald Trump is re-elected president.

Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows