Courtney’s victims, feds in KC and Trump’s COVID-19 ‘hoax’

Life stolen

My mother was one of pharmacist Robert Courtney’s victims. Her name was Elizabeth Nola. She was a wife, mother and grandmother. She didn’t have a chance to see her grandchildren grow up.

I took her to her chemotherapy appointments. We’d stop at the pharmacy and Courtney handed me the bag of fluids, and then we’d go upstairs for her treatment.

I spoke to FBI agents when this hit the news. They were hopeful he’d be in prison for a very long time.

Courtney should stay behind bars. He’d have a better chance of not catching COVID-19 than my mother had dying from the fake chemo he handed to me for several months.

- Janice Thom, Riverside

Be transparent

My brother, who has a Ph.D. in environmental microbiology, recently said something to the effect of, “I hardly ever learned anything in science without being wrong.”

I wish National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci would say, “Yes, I have been wrong about issues regarding COVID-19. The difference between me and the administration is that I admit it and try to learn from my mistakes.” (July 13, KansasCity.com, White House turns on Fauci as Trump minimizes virus spike”)

- Joan Harrison, Kansas City

No big deal

I just don’t get it. Why are so many people up in arms about Native American names for sports teams? Isn’t it a compliment to have a team named in your honor? I think it is honorable for our NFL team to be known as the Kansas City Chiefs.

What next, guys? As the old saying goes, ”Can’t we all just get along?”

- Patti M. Davis, Leawood

Zip in my day

One of the great joys of my Kansas City Star subscription is reading “Zippy the Pinhead.” Although the comic shows up in the online e-edition, and of course the physical paper most days, it is not easy to find on KansasCity.com. Also, please consider adding “Zippy the Pinhead” to your Sunday print edition.

Thanks for sharing a thoughtful comic amid the bad news and lesser comics.

- Trevor Harris, Kansas City

Not our fault

If schools shut down this fall, do not blame us teachers. We did not reopen states too soon to “save the economy.” We did not ignore the experts to help our re-election. We did not party in the Ozarks, and we do not think the coronavirus is a “hoax” spread through 5G, China and liberals.

We want to be in school. We dislike online learning as much as you do. We express grave concerns about reopening in the fall because it’s concerning. We also have obligations to our families.

If you are looking to blame anyone, look to the abysmal failures of the Trump administration and its head-in-the-sand approach to a global emergency. We did not create this situation, and we are not to blame.

- Mike Bannen, Overland Park

Leadership, please

The “super-spreader” event in Cass County with 400 people in attendance that led to five coronavirus cases is another example of young people who either believe that COVID-19 is a hoax or think they are impervious to the infection. (July 14, 8A, “KC teen speaks out after party triggers ‘coronavirus cluster’”)

A 30-year-old man who attended a “COVID party” in Texas thought that way. His last words to a nurse before he died from the virus were, “I think I made a mistake. I thought this was a hoax, but it’s not.”

I wish our president would repeat those exact words in earnest for the whole nation to hear. After all, it was President Donald Trump who in late February referred to Democrats’ criticism of his lax response to the coronavirus as “their new hoax.” His supporters believed him and continue to when he mocks the virus as the “kung flu.”

President Trump, the stage is yours. Please set them straight.

- Andrew Ginsburg, Southport, Connecticut

Respect authority

The headline on your July 10 editorial read, “Feds kick off crime-fighting in KC by disrespecting local leaders.” (8A) Interesting choice of words: the federal government is kicking off crime fighting in Kansas City. You are right. Local crime fighting is not evident.

Federal forces will assist local leaders by solving crimes, apprehending perpetrators, trying them and punishing the guilty. That is a good thing.

The problem is not guns. The problem is some Kansas City residents do not respect laws or the safety of other people. Now is the time to support all crime-fighting efforts and show residents that crime does not pay.

- David Blasiar, Overland Park