Postponing South Carolina’s June primary would be a disservice to voters, democracy

On child care

Instead of finishing my junior year at USC as I was expecting, I’m sitting at home in my pajamas trying to focus on something other than the constant negative news updates about COVID-19. I’m lucky enough to have this time to spend with family; I’ve almost been able to pretend like this is a normal carefree vacation.

But not everyone has this same privilege. and as Congress keeps looking for ways to help America weather this story, it must include child care providers among those receiving assistance. If they do not receive support, many child care providers will not reopen after the virus clears.

South Carolina was already facing child care shortages before this pandemic, so further closures will have a significant impact. That’s why I urge Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham to back efforts to support families and their child care providers.

Jenna Cameron, Irmo

On the stimulus

The letter writers who have been bashing the Democrats in Congress for “holding up” the stimulus package are focusing their anger in the wrong direction. The original proposal by the Republican-majority Senate would have given the most of the money to large corporations and very little of it to average Americans.

It was because of the Democratic holdout that Americans will be receiving the $1,200 payments they will get, and about half of the stimulus package was still devoted to corporations.

Before anyone chooses to label me as an anti-corporate malcontent, let me say that I am not bashing corporations. I worked for many corporations in various industries during my career; in fact, I generally preferred working for large companies over smaller ones. So I understand that there is a strategic need for our country to help our nation’s large industries get through the economic upheaval that has been caused by COVID-19.

That said, when our economy does rebound and large corporations are able to rehire, I implore them not to use the desperation of applicants as a way to offer lower wages and benefits that are inferior to those previously offered; unfortunately, that has happened before during past economic recoveries

Daniel Hucks, Lexington

On McMaster

It is shameful that Gov. Henry McMaster has decided to make South Carolina an outlier state by not issuing a shelter-in-place order to protect citizens from the coronavirus.

McMaster seems to think that South Carolina is somehow unique from other states, and that it doesn’t need to self-quarantine. But does the governor really think we’re all that different from Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, etc?

Get real!

Fred Domann, Prosperity

On COVID-19

Thank you for printing Russell Moore’s recent op-ed column in which he appealed to Americans to view all lives as precious during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like Moore, I am also concerned about the flippant attitude that many people seem to have regarding the fact that COVID-19 is particularly deadly for those who are over 60 — and for those who are disabled or have other major health issues.

Every person deserves to live and it is wrong to promote an attitude that some Americans should be sacrificed. We should be able to provide proper health care for every individual, and doing anything less than that would be reprehensible!

Nancy Bradley, Ridgeway

On the primary

I encourage the state Legislature and Gov. Henry McMaster to maintain the June 9 primary date for South Carolina —and to explore ways to expand and improve mail-in ballots and early in-person voting.

While we must heed every warning regarding COVID-19, we can’t let it bring democracy to a stop. If the June 9 primary is moved to another date, it will create a shorter window for general election voters to become familiar with candidates.

In addition, the state election commission will have to follow updated sanitation guidelines to ensure the safest possible experience at the polls, and we will need time to test out this new process.

While I agree that the safety of South Carolinians is always the top priority, the state can’t ignore its responsibility to ensure that every voice is heard and every voter casts their ballot.

Heather Bauer, Columbia

Bauer is a candidate for the House District 75 seat.