Trillions upon trillions
So let me get this straight: The federal bailout is $2 trillion, including payments (one time) for most adults and children, but the Fed has already put $4 trillion into the bond and stock market.
That’s $6 trillion so far.
I read that giving every American adult $1,000 would cost $250 billion. So, for $1 trillion, they could give every American four payments of $1,000 each. Their thinking is top-down, for sure.
I might just be greedy, but I think Andrew Yang’s idea that we “poor” consumers drive the whole economy is right, and that $1 trillion now going into four months of $1,000 to each and every one of us, rich or poor, is the best idea.
Andrea Rosanoff
Pahoa
Mixed messages
What’s wrong with this picture?
The photo of Lt. Gov. Josh Green (Tribune-Herald, March 25) discussing COVID-19 with Hilo Medical Center staff is a good example of how government officials are sending contradictory information to our community about the pandemic.
No one at the meeting is wearing a mask, and they are certainly not keeping “social distance.”
Had they all been tested and received the results that no one had been infected? Not likely.
Such a picture sends more than a thousand words to your readers about the lack of awareness about the need to self-quarantine or use basic precautions among medical staff. They ought to set an example.
We don’t all need surgical masks, but our government leaders ought to have been able to provide the simple paper masks to everyone. If they don’t protect against the actual virus spores, don’t the masks reduce infection from moist exhalations that carry the virus — both ways?
Could they be a reminder not to touch one’s face while out in public, opening doors, holding railings along stairs and walkways and touching surfaces of many kinds?
Hopefully, they remind others to keep a safer distance from customers, clerks, etc.
Nan Sumner-Mack
Hilo
Keep restrooms open?
A lot of people are walking and running during the COVID-19 quarantine.
There is also a large homeless population sleeping in their cars or in the bushes.
Could it be possible to keep some public restrooms open for better sanitation for all?
Rivera Ruth
Mountain View