Mass killings, baby formula, and a million COVID deaths

Send message to would-be copycats

Racist violence and policies to support it have been with us before the formation of this republic. Such violence is more American than apple pie. Sadly, it's who we are. President Joe Biden’s boilerplate address following the well-planned massacre of 10 shoppers in Buffalo must be followed by swift actions ["President: 'Hate will not prevail,' "  News, May 18]. The accused gunman, youthful though he may be, apparently meticulously planned to murder as many Black Americans as he could. Biden must urge the Justice Department to charge this especially heinous action as domestic terrorism. The accused gunman's own words say that was his intention. The penalty for such action should be death. The killer must be punished, and a message sent to would-be copycats. Others sit on death row today for far less senseless murders. The Justice Department must also ramp up its actions against this leading domestic terror threat.

Robert W. Mays, Freeport

It is refreshing to hear that our governor is taking a strong stance against gun violence and the perpetrators who are killing people at random, advocating more stringent laws that would prevent gun applicants from acquiring them ["Targeting violence," News, May 19]. I believe we should be more aggressive attacking the roots. Almost all potential shooters are consumed with hate whether it's race-related or not related to anything. But there is a common denominator. Many who commit these heinous crimes have posted on at least one media outlet their intention to kill. True, they have the right of free speech, but we have the right to pay more attention to these potential killers and take them more seriously. If we want to dramatically reduce future catastrophes, let's start monitoring these people with maximum fervor.

Carl Rosenberg, Great Neck

My heart and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones with the inhumane actions of an apparent white supremacist mass shooting. This is my vision, prayer and hope for a united America, one where there would be no hatred but love. An America where there would be no dishonesty but trust. An America where there would be no disloyalty but sincerity. An America where there would be no injustice but fairness. An America where there would be no degrading of one another but respect for each other. An America where there would be no differences because of our sexual orientation, race, religion or beliefs but being united as one America.

Pedro Smith, Hicksville

A question a mother shouldn't be asked

The solution to the baby formula shortage is not to ask a mom why can’t she breastfeed ["LI parents seek options with baby formula," Newsday, May 19]. That is wrong and insensitive. Some moms decide not to breastfeed for various reasons. I wanted to, but I was put on medication, so I stopped. I am a postpartum doula, and if a mom wants my help and resources with breast-feeding, I will gladly help. The same with formula feeding. I have volunteered for the Postpartum Resource Center of New York for the past 21 years. I have seen firsthand moms who feel like failures because they can’t breastfeed.   

Geraldine O’Keeffe, St. James

In the House of Representatives, 192 Republicans voted against two bills offered by Democrats intended to address the shortage of safe baby formula. Apparently, most Republicans strongly support anti-abortion legislation that requires women to give birth from unwanted pregnancies, including those resulting from rape and incest, but they oppose legislation that would provide those same women with the ability to feed those babies. Talk about hypocrisy.

Martin Dorfman, Plainview

1M COVID deaths dwarf other sad events

We soon will be marking an important event, Memorial Day. It is a day we honor those who fought in wars to preserve American lives. We also will be marking another historic event — the war against COVID-19, which has killed 1 million Americans. That’s more American deaths than in any other war. In fact, in the next 10 days, more Americans will die of COVID than died on 9/11. What is so sad is that hundreds of thousands could have been saved. All we needed to do was to get vaccinated and wear a mask ["New advice on masks met with shrug on LI," News, May 18].

But that seems to be too difficult for many who apparently don’t care about their fellow Americans. Somehow, we made it an issue about personal rights. It's ironic that people will wear masks the next time they get sick and have to go to a doctor or hospital. Why? Because the physicians and hospital staff are exercising their right to protect themselves, and they mandate you wear a mask.

If you think wearing a mask is difficult and an infringement on your freedom, try living in Ukraine with Russia attacking.

Michael McBride, Moriches