Letters: ‘Returning to campus was a mistake.’ UK is mishandling COVID-19 pandemic.

UK return ‘mistake’

The University of Kentucky continues to mishandle the COVID-19 pandemic through its poorly implemented protocols, misleading numbers, and question evasion.

Even if none of this were the case, returning to campus was a mistake. Beginning in March and continuing since then, citizens of the commonwealth have been asked to consider others more often than ourselves. As we have learned to conduct ourselves in new ways (Wipe down your groceries! Wear a mask! If you do go out, walk far away from people!), we have had to adjust and adapt to a new way of understanding the world and our place in it. Now, after months of hearing “take all precautions,” it seems that all of this has been forgotten. As a healthy young person, I understand that my personal risk is low, but it feels practically unnatural at this point — after so many months of training myself to be so responsible and, frankly, self-depriving at times — to abandon so much of that just for the sake of returning to campus in search of a sense of normalcy.

Mary Katherine Lance, Lexington

Reminders important

As someone who is very interested in history and its effect in today’s world I do not understand the removal of statues, the renaming of parks, roads and bridges or places such as Cheapside Park. These things tell stories. They remind one of history and how we, as a nation, have grown and adapted. They remind politicians of the care, thought and responsibility they should have before they honor someone or something.

All people should understand the adage, “out of sight, out of mind”. If we want no reminder, whatsoever, then most likely history, for good or bad, will be repeated.

Judy Y. Lyons, Lexington

Renaming arena

Regarding the push by some to rename Rupp Arena, I have some thoughts on the matter. I did not know Coach Adolph Rupp personally, but I was born in 1939 and grew up in Lexington in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s.

There can be no question that Rupp built University of Kentucky basketball into the prominent position it enjoys today. Memorial Coliseum might not have been built except for that feat. Maybe the same for Rupp Arena.

As I understand the argument, Rupp was a racist. He was a racist because he did not recruit and play black players earlier than he did. Books have been written explaining why and how that happened. Basically, UK was, and is, in the SEC. During those years it would have been unbearable and dangerous, if not impossible, to take a black player to Knoxville, Athens, Oxford, Starkville, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, or Baton Rouge.

If that paints Rupp a racist, then that same criteria must paint President Franklin D. Roosevelt a racist. He was commander-in-chief of the armed forces for over 12 years. He had the power to integrate those forces but did not.

If you want to rename Rupp Arena, OK, but do it for a valid reason.

James Todd, Lexington

Too much freedom?

I had ancestors fight for the North and South during the Civil War. The North won — period. All flags and monuments of the Confederacy should be destroyed without hesitation. No wonder the Black community is upset seeing these flags waving in the breeze and Confederate generals mounted on their steeds of stone.

The excesses of freedom without regard to others has brought America to the brink of disaster and maybe rightfully so. We as a society have been far too busy telling everyone their rights and never telling them about their responsibilities.

John Hill, Lexington

Rewrite it all

If I can think of another area in Lexington where there could be an overabundance of white guilt regarding its history, I will let you know, and if people happen to want to change its name, they could maybe name it after a basketball star, or a horse, something important like that. Call the University of Kentucky and get some ideas from the liberal brainiacs there. As a matter of fact, just go ahead and rewrite all of Lexington’s history, to satisfy the mob’s threats and grievances. Give in to them, and they won’t bother you again. Just ask Seattle, or Portland, or Louisville ....

William R. Elam, Lexington