Dealing With Our Own Failures

To the editor:
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently claimed there was “enormous evidence” that Covid-19 originated in a lab in China.
Few would dispute that China is a dictatorship, oppresses segments of its population, and suppresses free speech. They tried to shame and intimidate experts who warned of the community spread of the virus early on, to carry on economic activity despite the danger.
Yet it would be a mistake to assume that only a Chinese totalitarian government would behave this way. Our own president announced in February, contrary to medical experts, that the virus was nothing to worry about. Overoptimistic information regularly comes from a White House worried about a decline in economic activity. An N.I.H. official in charge of virus treatments was removed because he did not concur with the president’s optimistic vision. Still, we are not China: he was only removed from his position, not threatened with arrest.
Focusing on China’s failures limits our ability to learn from our own mistakes. If indeed the virus accidently escaped from a Chinese lab, that should lead to increased international cooperation and standards. But when this administration claims it has “enormous evidence,” we should be particularly wary.
The last time a secretary of state or defense made such claims we were led into a disastrous war. This time we are likely to be led into blaming others rather than dealing with our own actions and failures.

John Cumbler
Wellfleet

Keeping Newspapers Alive

To the editor:
I live on the Central Coast of California and subscribe to the Independent as well as our local newspaper, the Tribune. Recently the Tribune asked for donations to support independent reporting as we navigate this global pandemic. My first thought was, “I’m a widowed mom with two young kids. I can’t afford to send them money.” My next thought was, “Without independent newspapers our democracy cannot survive.”
My dad instilled in me respect for investigative journalists and the editors who publish their stories. Small-town newspapers had a special place in his heart, and I was raised with appreciation for the knowledge, connection between neighbors, and strong sense of community they provide. Publishing a small independent newspaper requires an incredible amount of work, dedication, and passion.
The number of these publications is dwindling at a frightening rate. It’s frightening because news can literally mean the difference between life and death, especially now.
I sent $100 to the Tribune. Reading the latest Independent, I wondered if you are considering a similar request for support. I imagine you have many readers who would be honored to be a part of keeping local newspapers alive and well.

Sheree Brekke
San Luis Obispo, Calif.

The writer, a nurse, is the niece of this newspaper’s editor.

A Laugh, and a Correction

To the editor:
K.C. Myers’s May 7 article “Three Dems and Two Felons on County Ballot” [page 9], is now clipped and on my bulletin board. Myers just delivers the message and, wow, is that enough.
Thank you, Ms. Myers. It is always a pleasure and an education, but this one was also a good laugh.

Kathleen Henry
Truro

Editor’s note: Due to a fact-checking error, the article referred to by the letter-writer incorrectly identified candidate Abraham Kasparian Jr. of Yarmouth as a Republican. He is an Independent.