Allow Florida to reopen. Trust people to do the right thing or there will be trouble | Letters to the editor

The shutdown was intended to “flatten the curve” and not overwhelm the health system.

The longer the shutdown lasts the more fearful people become. Most people can’t work from home and for now they’re worried and anxious. If shutdown extends beyond April I fear a panic will ensue with devastating consequences.

COVID-19 is a terrible disease and the fear of dying from it is no justification for committing suicide. Yet economic suicide is what our elected officials will be asking of people by extending the “temporary shutdown.”

Allow the state of Florida to reopen and let a free people decide for themselves. Much has been said about phasing reopening until we have a vaccine. That is unrealistic. Keep in mind that talk of a vaccine in 12-18 months is wildly optimistic. The fastest a vaccine was ever developed was five years and that was for Ebola.

ALLOW THE STATE TO REOPEN! Trust is a two-way street. State leadership must trust the people to act responsibly as we reopen. For now people have trust in leaders and health system authority. Civil order, I fear, will erode if people are told to let their lives as they knew it be destroyed in the name of protecting the health of others.

Self interest will trump good intentions every time.

James Huntley

Bradenton