2021 Ellis Island?

Re: “Buses bringing in migrants — Dallas officials, police officers scrambling to find shelter for them,” Thursday Metro & Business story.

So in this story we learn a busload of “migrant” families from Haiti and Cuba arrived from Del Rio in Irving. From Del Rio? I assume that these folks did not get up one day in Cuba and Haiti and decide to walk to Texas. Why Del Rio and not Key West? Has the Texas border become the 2021 Ellis Island?

There has to be a very interesting story here. It would also make for an interesting story to know who decided and why that in a growing pandemic it is not important or necessary to know if these migrants are COVID-positive before being distributed into our country. Why don’t we have the same rules whether you come into our country from the northern border or the southern border? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ted Gold, Plano

Hands off bulk trash pickup

Re: “$4.35B budget proposed — Plan would add 250 police officers, give city workers raises,” Aug. 8 news story.

I read in this story that the Dallas city budget for the next fiscal year is $500 million fatter than this year’s. Way farther down in the article I also read that, “the city also plans to change how it collects brush and bulk trash by shifting to bulk quarterly pickups instead of monthly.” Hold on, Mr. T.C. Broadnax, collecting trash is a basic city service. Find something in the non-essential column to cut that doesn’t directly affect most citizens of the city. Particularly when you have 13% more chips on the table for the next go ’round.

Jim Shaw, East Dallas

Climate questions to consider

The Dallas Morning News has excelled lately in presenting diverse viewpoints on a number of current issues. It is disappointing that you and other media haven’t done the same in climate reporting. We see hysterical headlines (sometimes from sources with an agenda) that portend Armageddon. Is that all there is?

Wouldn’t your readers benefit from robust reporting about, for example, the extent to which overreaction to climate change will damage the poor? Are the severe temperature predictions realistic? What is the true cost of the Paris climate accord and will it actually help the planet? How much money and resources will climate spending divert from critical needs such as health care, education, infrastructure, American competitiveness and national defense? Is the green revolution the panacea that’s being promised? Your readers deserve more coverage of these important questions and others.

Charles Sartain, Dallas/Preston Hollow

Increase global vaccine access

In the U.S., over 50% of vaccine-eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, bringing hope of achieving herd immunity. Approximately 30% of the world population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, which appears promising in the fight against COVID-19. However, efforts to provide global vaccine access are lacking. Only 1% of people living in low-income countries have received a single vaccine dose. We are witnessing frightening disparities in vaccine accessibility according to income and region whereby low-income countries specifically on the African continent are far behind global vaccination targets set out by the World Health Organization.

The projections modeled by the United Nations indicate very poor prospects with only 5% vaccination rates in low-income countries by 2022. The U.S. must be at the forefront of global change to end COVID-19. I am urging our Texas members of Congress and President Joe Biden to lead a global effort supporting vaccine equity to end this global pandemic.

Amelie Jacobs, Far North Dallas

States are far from united

Taking a cue from Dave Lieber (Public Utility Commission —(p)UC issues), I think it’s time to consider changing the name of our country — the United States of America. United? Really? This country is so deeply divided that we can’t seem to agree on anything any more. So, I think we should change the name to The (u) States of America. Thanks for the inspiration, Dave.

Don Hutcheson, Oak Point

Jealous of Dallas County

Congratulations, residents of Dallas County. County Judge Clay Jenkins cares enough about your health to issue a mask mandate. Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa also cares enough that anyone entering a Dallas ISD property must wear a mask. Thanks to these two leaders, lives are being saved. I’m jealous of you!

Gale Paul, Plano

Do the right thing

In response to the person who was appalled by the actions of Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, I was glad to see the article on the front page. Jenkins has proved to be the voice of reason and common sense during this pandemic. If one is asked to wear a mask indoors during a meeting, that individual’s request should be honored. Be a responsible adult and wear the mask. It’s the right thing to do.

Rich Gaca, Keller

Voting bill details needed

Re: “Print voting law comparison,” by Ellen Beadling, Thursday Letters.

I completely agree with Beadling’s respectful request for the full facts on the voting legislation, which is front-page news almost every day. Also a longtime subscriber, I search every day through the articles to find more detailed and complete facts so that I can better understand the outrage on both sides of the aisle.

Journalists, please feed us some factual data, a comparison of the two views — just a simple spreadsheet would work — so that we can make informed, intelligent and rational decisions.

Thank you for the efforts you make to provide us The Dallas Morning News. I’m not sure I could navigate this unprecedented world in which we live without your skills.

Mary Eason, Carrollton