COVID vaccines
Re “COVID vaccines can be elusive” (A1, Sept. 6): The CDC claims COVID shots are available for all seniors older than 65 and other high-risk groups. Sounds simple enough. No problemo, right? But not so in Virginia Beach at my regular local national chain pharmacy on Holland Road.
This here old-grey-haired coot, walking with a cane, was thwarted and befuddled attempting to get the COVID shot. Despite upbeat, jovial pleading with the employee to appeal to common-sense reasoning, I was rebuked and informed that a prescription from a primary care physician was needed even for senior citizens. This is polar opposite to what the official CDC guidelines state.
I tried one last time to appeal to reason, borrowing verses from the children’s games “Mother may I” and singing “Ollie ollie in come free” to obtain permission, to no avail until Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a change of heart.
Hugh B. Slusser, Virginia Beach
Voting
Australian citizens who are 18 years or older must enroll and vote in federal elections, by-elections and referendums.
It would be ideal if we had the exact requirement here in the United States, but I must admit that it would be very challenging to administer.
However, because of the Republicans and the Supreme Court, every legal American can’t vote. It’s my opinion that the Trump administration is sending or trying to send ICE agents into Democratic cities to discourage people of color from voting in 2026.
James L. Amspacher, Chesapeake
Low bar
Re “Capitol rioters seek compensation” (A8, Sept. 3): This article reported that the Jan. 6 rioters that were pardoned now feel they are entitled to sue for damages. Did the government think of suing any of them for damages to the building? One rioter took a hatchet and broke a window for access inside. They even want prosecutors involved fired. People just have no shame and do not take responsibility for their actions.
Then there is former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani now set to get the Medal of Freedom after he was found guilty in defaming poll workers and has had his law license revoked. Unbelievable how low the bar has sunk.
Gloria Ross, Virginia Beach
New ‘sales tax’
It’s several months since “Liberation Day” when all international trade inequities were to be rectified. So far, we appear to have something between very little and nothing.
It appears that all countries have at least a 10% tariff on imports to the U.S. Those fortunate enough to have a framework (not signed and final) agreement seem to mostly have a 15% tariff rate. There are no signed and final trade agreements.
One thing appears clear. The tariffs are not necessarily about addressing trade deficits. Of our top 30 trading partners, almost a third buy more from us than we do from them. Among the most notable is Brazil that is currently facing a 50% tariff for prosecuting their former president (and President Donald Trump’s friend) for attempting a coup after losing the last election. Other notables that buy more from us include the United Kingdom ($11.8 billion), Australia ($17.9 billion) and Hong Kong ($21.9 billion).
Then there are our top three trading relationships: Mexico, Canada and China. It’s hard to tell whether much of Trump’s 2020 trade agreement with Canada and Mexico is still relevant, but there doesn’t seem to be much current progress. China, however, is TACO until October.
Make no mistake: You and I will end up paying those tariffs. So far, U.S. importers are either working down inventory purchased before the tariffs went into effect or absorbing the costs. Soon, however, the full cost of the tariffs will show up on your bills at checkout. Consider it a new federal sales tax.
John Gladden, Suffolk
