On Dec. 4, the American Academy of Pediatrics released its “COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports.” The AAP encourages players of most sports to wear cloth face coverings at all times for group training, competition, and on the sidelines.

Athletes should wear cloth face coverings above the nose and covering the chin at all times including: during training, between practice drills, when arriving and departing from playing/training facilities, in the locker room, during shared transportation, during competition and on the sidelines. If the face covering becomes wet, it should be changed immediately.

In a limited number of competitive sports, a cloth face covering could be hazardous and so exceptions should be considered for competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming and diving.

Athletes, please take steps to avoid the spread of COVID-19 to your team, teammates and to their families. Wear a cloth face covering during your sports activities.

Galen Chock

Makiki

Don’t be complacent: COVID-19 is dangerous

Some argue that COVID-19 restrictions are unnecessary for a virus that doesn’t kill a high percentage of people. Really? Consider:

>> Some hospitals are overwhelmed to the point where care may need to be prioritized, and some people may not receive care.

>> Medical personnel have died due to COVID-19 while others are sick from it. They’re burning out. The shortages we already have of medical personnel are getting worse as a result.

>> Even if you are asymptomatic, are you absolutely sure no damage is being done internally?

>> Some survivors continue to experience problems for weeks or months after recovering. Who knows how many will survive but become permanently disabled?

>> The long-term effects of COVID-19 are unknown, so even if you recover and seem fine now, you may not be in the future.

If you are willing to take these risks, that’s your choice. But most of us are not, so respect us by following the rules as we respect you by doing so.

Violet E. Horvath

Nuuanu

Tourists would pay for second COVID test

For Hawaii-bound tourists, a pre-travel test has quickly become an accepted part of visiting the islands.

Six weeks of arrivals demonstrate that visitors have been ready and willing to pay up to $180 per person and fill available slots at trusted testing partners.

So if a second test is needed to achieve fewer “positives,” why not require that would-be visitors get and pay for it themselves? Say two tests in seven days before departure at least 72 hours apart.

It’s a win-win. The community gets better protection at no cost or extra administration for the state.

Thomas Holliday

Kakaako

Republicans display cowardice with Trump

Other incumbent presidents have also experienced the pain of losing re-election, yet they gracefully accepted the will of the people, congratulated the winner, wished him well, and helped secure a smooth transition. Why? Because they were people of honor who, in losing, respected our democracy and continued to care about our country. Not so with President Donald Trump.

Trump’s claim to have won the election despite clear evidence to the contrary, together with his endless machinations to reverse the election results, is delusional, bordering on madness. His refusal to facilitate the transition, cooperate in the transmission of intelligence, and help optimize efforts to rein in the pandemic, threatens the security of our country and the lives of our people.

Why the silence and tacit support for Trump’s aberrant behavior by most Republican elected officials? They seem to fear the wrath of Trump supporters, come their own reelection. But officials who put their personal interests first, and are intimidated into silence when our democracy is being shredded, do not belong in public office. They are profiles in cowardice.

Ursula Retherford

Kailua

Authentic conservative party can replace GOP

Jonah Goldberg laments the fall of the GOP into the cult of President Donald Trump (“Pursuit of power tarnishes conservatism’s principles,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 29). The Republican Party has run its course from a glorious beginning in Ripon, Wis., to its precarious shame in its obeisance to a dictatorial personality with no conscience.

It is time for Goldberg to go back to Ripon and form an authentic conservative party. The GOP is gone. In its place is the analogue of National Socialism with quisling members. If responsible conservatives resolve to begin anew, Trump will fade into the netherland, and a better alternative will replace him.

The only way to rid a society of a criminal charismatic leader is to hand him a defeat and brand him as a loser.

Jean E. Rosenfeld

Downtown Honolulu

COMFORT AND JOY

2020 has been a whopper of a year: the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hurt, politics and elections. But surely there is much to appreciate, much that brings joy.

In the spirit of the season, we are now accepting letters (150 words max) and essays (500-600 words) with uplifting messages to share during this holiday season.

Email to letters@staradvertiser.com; or send to 500 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-210, Honolulu 96813, c/o Letters.