Letters: China’s folly in fighting COVID-19 by trying to erect another great wall

China is reinforcing its borders to eradicate COVID-19 infections with actions similar to those taken during the Ming dynasty (1368-1646). The Ming dynasty attempted with its Great Wall to defend the Chinese mainland, control commerce and control the Chinese people. Today, there are no armies threatening China, and it is among the world’s most powerful and richest nations. Its industry and workforce are the envy of the world. It could easily afford to purchase Western vaccines for its 1.4 billion citizens.

Instead, it uses policies that isolate it as the Ming dynasty did. The government’s actions are angering its citizens and threatening its industrial power. To President Xi Jinping, these actions are a less serious threat to the nation and to his control of its people than recognizing that he cannot totally protect and control their health. Xi may see it as his failing and a weakening of him as an imperial leader.

COVID-19 is for Xi a political attack on his authority and self-esteem, a failure comparable to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s in Ukraine.

— Sidney Weissman, Highland Park

Mike Pence said he doesn’t believe Donald Trump is antisemitic or racist and that he wouldn’t have served as Trump’s vice president if Trump was. Interesting logic.

What about Trump’s calling in 1989 for the execution of the Central Park Five who were framed and then exonerated? Trump has never apologized. How about Trump’s response that there were “very fine people on both sides” after chants of “Jews will not replace us” at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017? Or how about Trump’s policy of separating children from their parents at the border? It’s hard to imagine Jesus applauding that decision.

Pence was Trump’s vice president for the same reason he refuses to say that Trump is antisemitic or racist: He thinks he benefits politically. Perhaps before lecturing us on how we should live our lives, Pence should “first cast out the beam out of thine own eye” (Matthew 7:5) regarding Trump.

— Kevin Coughlin, Evanston

Mike Pence and his hypocritical religious beliefs were on full display at the Union League Club recently. He was a full participant in four years of Donald Trump’s lies and egregious behavior as president. Now with a book to sell, he seeks to separate himself from Trump’s insurrectionist behavior and won’t commit to helping the Department of Justice in its investigation of Trump’s actions regarding the Jan. 6 riot.

“So Help Me God”? Pence disgraced the office of the vice president, so he should do us all a favor, go back to Indiana and never say another word again invoking the name of God.

— Kevin Garvey, Chicago

Rabbi Seth Limmer’s op-ed regarding prejudice (“Trump dinner another case of normalizing prejudice,” Dec. 1) would have been better if he had condemned President Joe Biden’s affiliation with known antisemite Al Sharpton and former President Barack Obama’s affiliation with known antisemites Louis Farrakhan and Jeremiah Wright with the same intensity that he has condemned former President Donald Trump.

Public officials of both major political parties that spew prejudice and associate with purveyors of hatred should be deemed unacceptable for elected office.

— John Foley, Northfield

The GOP concern about election fraud is no different from the Democrats’ continued belief in Russian collusion in the 2016 election.

I believe the majority of voters have moved on from this, as noted in the relatively smooth and noneventful 2022 midterm polling results.

— John Callan, Naperville

In response to Bradley Reeg’s letter about the Illinois Policy Institute (“Illinois Policy Institute agenda,” Nov. 30): What in particular does Reeg have an issue with? I seem to remember that free speech is still a right of United States citizens, including IPI.

I do know that exhaustive research is done by IPI when presenting views in the op-ed section of the Tribune. Does Reeg also take offense with the opposing views? I think not.

— Pat Bonk, Midlothian

Why is it when I hear news segments about the potential railroad strike, they talk about forcing the workers to accept the contract? Why not talk about forcing the railroads to provide adequate sick leave and conditions? This country is one of few developed nations that does not require employers to provide sick leave. That needs to change.

— Joyce Porter, Oak Park

Sick pay is again denied to 21st century railroad workers by 19th century railroad robber barons.

— Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn

The age to legally buy a gun should not be higher than the age to vote. One does not require more maturity than the other. Take your pick.

Any person serving in the armed forces should be able both to vote and buy guns.

— Larry Craig, Wilmette

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