After about a month of the covid-19 reports, I did some checking of the numbers comparing it to the seasonal flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control web site, the flu estimates are:

• 39 million to 55 million US flu illnesses.

• 24 million to 63 million US flu deaths.

• 304,826 US covid-19 cases.

• 7,616 US covid-19 deaths.

It is important to say that the flu numbers are only an estimate. A lot of us get the flu and self treat it at home.

According to the SC DHEC web site:

• 6,610 known SC flu cases.

• 2,883 known SC flu deaths.

• 1,917 SC covid-19 cases.

• 40 SC covid-19 deaths.

Please note the above numbers are as of April 3. The numbers probably will move up for covid-19 and seasonal flu.

Why do we close sections of our economy and issue stay at home orders for covid-19 when we don’t do it for the flu?

I believe a more level headed, adult approach would be to inform people as much as possible of the danger. Our health professionals are learning as it progresses.

Medical research so far suggests that covid-19 is highly contagious and we should stay 6 feet from others, wash our hands and wear a face mask if you already have a health issue to protect yourself.

We shouldn’t have stay at home orders because they are against the law. They deprive people of their constitutional right of assembly and to support their families.

You legally can’t quarantine someone unless they have an infectious disease.

A stay at home order or an order to close businesses isn’t reasonable and is an outright form of tyranny and harassment.

A free people should have the right to choose if they follow the guidelines or not because we all have different priorities.

If an elderly person is near the end of life and chooses to visit their grandchildren, who is government to deny them that.

If a business chooses to remain open during an epidemic, they should have the right \without government interference.

Scott Parks, Gaston

Other government crimes

You are right about Congressional grand larceny. That’s why I subscribe to your newspaper. It offers a refreshing different viewpoint from the liberal local newspaper and many national news channels, organizations and print media.

Gary Schmedding, Chapin