Sound Off for March 20, 2020

A carrier?

I just read an article quoting a business owner in Bay St. Louis that she would not close her business until she was asked to. They serve food and had a great day on Second Saturday. The majority of people I know still have living elderly family and friends. Please remember that you can be a carrier! How sad to think that your last “hoorah” could kill someone close to you.

Ready or not

As governors responded to the coronavirus epidemic in other states: Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Idaho and Wyoming did pretty much nothing. No statewide measures in place; just a wait and see approach. So not ready!

Pay it back

I believe all of the companies and industries calling for bailout, especially the big ones, should maybe receive the money needed, especially the smaller ones, and make them pay it bac . Maybe you could set up a task force to monitor it and make sure it’s paid back. It should not be given freely because big business always wants something while the little man has to suffer or go away.

Free tests

The COVID-19 test is not free. Insurance companies may waive the c-opay but that does not make it free. The bill in Congress should make that universal. Currently in Mississippi, the test must be obtained through your healthcare provider and the copay for that visit isn’t waived. Since the health department is not performing tests, those without health insurance have no where to go but the emergency room which is the last place you want them gathering.

Send in the Guard

It is time for the National Guard to begin home delivery of food, water and other necessities. This will increase the likelihood that people will be able to stay home.

Hoarding

Hmmm, you’re buying up all the toilet paper and I’m buying ammunition. Just a balancing act.

More testing

We’re shutting down schools, businesses, towns and states — people’s lives — why, to stop the spread of COVID-19. Really? We’re shutting them down because we don’t have tests to see who in the hell has it and who does no!! Get the tests out to everyone like South Korea did and go from there.

To submit a Sound Off, email soundoff@sunherald.com

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Sound Off for March 20, 2020."