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Shutdowns most hurt
low-income kids
Re: “Though the Bay Area population is returning to normal, the shutdown’s effects are lingering” (Page A1, March 16).
The articles today on the COVID lockdowns make clear that California’s draconian approach to school closures will have huge negative effects stretching into the future. California students were already lagging the nation, and our school closures (among the longest in the country) only made matters worse.
However, the articles practically omit the most damning aspect of the drawn-out school closures, namely that the impacts were much greater among low-income families. These students did not have a study room at home, did not have new computers and high-speed internet access, and were unlikely to have two “working from home” parents to coach and supervise them. They also lost their meals at school and their after-school programs which allowed mom and dad to try to continue to work. Students with limited English skills found keeping up with remote classes almost impossible.
Mike Heller
Walnut Creek
Get blood tested
for measle immunity
Re: “Message from Bay Area doctors: Get measles, mumps, rubella shot” (Page B5, March 16).
Not mentioned in the article urging people to get the measles vaccine is the blood test to determine immunity to the virus. For anyone concerned they may be vulnerable to catching this serious disease, they can ask their physician for the test and then know if a vaccine is necessary.
It is shocking in this age of modern medicine when we have researchers who have spent their lives finding ways to keep us healthy, that some will forgo life-saving vaccines for personal reasons. In Texas, an unvaccinated woman giving birth had active measles and exposed the newborns in the hospital; in another case, a 6-year-old girl died. The virus is spreading throughout the country making more people sick with a disease that dedicated researchers worked to eliminate.
Measles is terribly uncomfortable and even potentially fatal. How remarkable that we need not fear this disease by just getting a simple shot.
Teri Shikany
Danville
Trump’s performance
gets failing grade
Re: “Judge orders Trump to rehire thousands of workers who lost jobs” (Page A3, March 14).
Let’s assess Donald Trump’s performance:
• Farmers and business owners are experiencing uncertainty and financial pain due to an erratic approach to tariffs that will increase inflation. Stocks are plunging.
• Relationships with our greatest allies are being destroyed as narrowly selfish interests take precedence over shared values and security assurance. A democratic ally, Ukraine, is being sacrificed to Vladimir Putin, a murderous dictator.
• For the sake of something — wealth-hoarding? libertarian principle? — Trump has cut off lifesaving nutrition and medicine to millions of the Earth’s poorest children.
• Government services and oversight are being dismantled and corrupted. Do you feel secure about the future of your Social Security, Medicare, tax refunds or air travel?
People make mistakes in voting. If you did, help the rest of us rid our great country of this horrible leader. Your voice will matter a lot because you have made the journey back to sanity.
Jim Boots
Danville
Democrats must grow
spine, dump Schumer
In 1999 Chuck Schumer sided with the GOP in repealing the Glass-Steagall Act which led to the recession of 2008 that hurt so many everyday Americans and brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy. Now, he’s done it again by siding with the GOP on the Trump continuing resolution bill that will, again, hurt many everyday Americans.
The polls and the town halls are showing that the majority of Americans will have the Democrats’ backs when they can grow a spine. They can show that spine now by getting rid of Schumer.
Frank Grygus
San Ramon
Don’t use antisemitism
as excuse for arrest
Re: “Trump warns that arrest of activist will be ‘first of many’” (Page A4, March 11).
As Jews and as Americans, we decry the Trump-Musk administration’s attempts to deport a green card holder for expressing opinions opposed to the current government’s.
As Americans, we support the right of everyone to speak peaceably about controversial subjects without fear of retribution. As Jews, we know that the oppression of anyone means that society isn’t safe for Jews.
We further demand that the administration stop using supposed antisemitism as a reason for punishing their opposition. Jews will not be used as an excuse for un-American and unconstitutional government actions.
Rabbi Judith Seid
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews
Pleasanton
Speak out to save
Education Department
As a grandparent of five children, I am deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to the Department of Education. In the U.S., more than 80% of all students attend free public schools. Parents want and need to see their kids in a stimulating educational environment. In addition, children who have disabilities are guaranteed to get help. Those promises are all in danger.
All students benefit from programs run by the U.S. Department of Education, yet some politicians want to stop all that. Without the department, children with low incomes will not benefit from funding to help them rise above poverty. We need fully trained teachers to accomplish goals.
I urge you to call, write or email your senators and representatives expressing your desire for the Department of Education to remain fully functioning. Don’t stand by watching the dismantling of the department affecting every public school in the country.
Janice Wood
Lafayette