South Carolina is lucky to have Gov. McMaster leading it amid the COVID-19 pandemic
On McMaster
Recently the Department of Employment and Workforce reported that the statewide unemployment rate dropped from more than 12% in May to 8.7% in June.
And the reason why South Carolina is making such progress is because of Gov. Henry McMaster’s determined leadership.
McMaster has approached the pandemic with the same common sense and good judgment that he has shown in dealing with all of the other crises he has faced as our governor.
McMaster resisted caving in to the media panic frenzy surrounding COVID-19 and safely reopened our state; in doing so the governor has set us on a course for recovery while taking reasonable and constitutional efforts to protect the people.
South Carolina can consider itself very lucky to have McMaster as our governor during this extraordinary moment in the history of our state — and of our country.
Randal Wallace, Myrtle Beach
On emergency calls
I was recently awakened at 2:20 a.m. by an automated emergency communications phone call from the Horry County Police Department regarding two missing juveniles.
What did the police department hope to accomplish by waking up residents to alert them about this?
While I can sympathize with the custodial parents of these children, I question why they were alone in a restaurant at 11 p.m.
As far as I know an Amber Alert is supposed to notify us about missing or at-risk individuals while the emergency communications network is supposed to warn residents of imminent threats such as tornadoes, hurricanes or armed criminals in the immediate area.
Clearly the use of the emergency network was inappropriate in this case, and I hope the responsible official in the police department will be disciplined if not fired for showing such extremely poor judgment.
Just imagine how little sleep we would get if all police departments used this emergency system for missing kids.
John Bourassa, North Myrtle Beach
On Linda Bell
Difficult times call for expert knowledge and prudent decisions in order to eradicate COVID-19.
COVID-19 is one of the greatest challenges the United States has faced in its history. This global pandemic is adversely affecting our country economically, financially, psychologically and more significantly our health.
Many families have suffered the loss of loved ones due to complications from the coronavirus. Sadly, we do not have the pandemic under control.
For South Carolinians, there is no better or more trusted voice than State Epidemiologist Linda Bell with the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
She has stood firm, relying on her medical and public health training and experience to offer sound, science-based information to the citizens of our state.
Her advisories on conditions on the ground and recommendations for stopping the spread of the virus are extremely important as we combat this public health emergency
Dr. Bell’s advocacy for prevention measures that will save lives has been consistent since the announcement of the outbreak and her advice has echoed that of the established national and international experts.
Her recommendations to wear masks, avoid large crowds, practice social distancing and perform frequent handwashing are all we have without proven treatment or an effective vaccine.
However, her advisements have apparently been met with resistance. As a result, we are seeing a rise in positive cases, more deaths and an increasing impact on our health care system and citizens.
Until this public health challenge is contained, economic conditions will not return to normal. We should commend Dr. Bell for her courage and steadfast advocacy on behalf of the citizens of our state. She is the voice of wisdom for our health.
The organizations listed below represent the community at large as well as the healing professions. We would be derelict in our duties if we did not stand in support of Dr. Bell and her advocacy for the optimal health and welfare of all South Carolinians.
We call upon our elected leaders to listen to her wise recommendations.
Although our leaders have responsibility for more than just public health, economics and politics do not matter without health and life.
This letter was signed by the following organizations:
▪ The Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association
▪ The Congaree Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association
▪ The Charleston Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association
▪ The Columbia Chapter, Association of Black Social Workers
▪ The Kemetic Institute for Health and Human Development
▪ The Krst Universal Temple
▪ South Carolina Chapter, Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations
▪ Ubuntu Institute for Community Development
▪ South Carolina Progressive Network
▪ The Center for the Education and Equity of African American Students
▪ The South Carolina Organization of African Unity
▪ The South Carolina Council for African American Studies