Ebola teacher fear unfounded
Regarding the article "Ebola fear: Teacher told to stay away from school after trip to Africa": While it is easy to fall victim to the idea the funders of an institution have the strongest voice, I think the St. Margaret Mary school in Louisville should have stood firm in protecting the teacher who went to Kenya. Parents will worry about their children, but the school must defend its employees from ludicrous accusations when the employees have not caused any harm. The ridiculousness of requiring a mandatory leave of someone who has been to Africa, farther from Ebola than anyone in the U.S., is clear. I can fully understand why Susan Sherman decided to resign after being put through such a rigmarole. It is a pity, though, that such a strong witness, obviously truly invested in spreading God's word, has been chased away from influencing the students and parents who need to hear it most.
GEORGIA STANDISH, Collegedale, Tenn.
Keeping us safe should be priority
Mr. President: The American people gave you the power to make decisions for us all to save the lives of many people. All you would have to do [about Ebola] is make a moratorium and sign it. Overseas travel to and from the United States should be suspended. All United States borders should have been and should be a number-one priority. Quarantines should be implemented for anyone traveling into and in the United States. Persons in and from countries with infectious diseases should not be allowed to travel in the United States spreading those diseases. Our dedicated military should be in this country helping to secure us and our borders. They would be much better at screening and securing airports, train and bus stations. We need experienced medical personnel in charge of maintaining our health, not lawyers and political yes-men who serve one party or the other. It is your choice. Your decision will show all the voters of America what you really stand for.
TED L. RECTOR
Give Erlanger guards concealed weapons
Regarding the decision of Erlanger Health System to disarm security guards because of liability issues and to create a "family-friendly" environment, I believe is wrong on both counts. For the protection of the staff, patients and their families, not to mention the safety of the security guards themselves, it is essential that security guards carry guns. Extensive training in the proper use of restraint would address the liability issues as well as enhance the effectiveness of security personnel. As for "family-friendly," if that is a strong desire of administration, concealed carry of a small handgun can be a solution for those security guards who interface the most with patients and families. But to disarm security personnel, and publicly announce it, is just asking for potentially violent offenders to show less respect for security guards.
GARY POPE