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To the Editor:

Re Lifting Sanctions on Iran (editorial, March 26):

Two and a half years ago, my wife and I were tourists in Iran. For nearly two weeks, every day, groups of young Iranians stopped us in the street, in restaurants and at historical sites wanting to talk about their government and ours. We were astounded by their openness and forthrightness. We were amazed by how many of these young people were opposed to their leaders and were willing to say so.

The editorial correctly notes that compassion is a good foreign policy. More important, if the United States does not stand in the way of emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund, that could only encourage the young people we met to struggle to gain some power over their autocratic leaders.

Stephen GoldPhiladelphia

To the Editor:

Re Tommy John Surgery Will Sideline Mets Syndergaard for the 2020 Season (Sports, March 25):

So a 27-year-old multimillionaire who plays a game was able to get immediate surgery for a non-life-threatening injury at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Florida despite the Florida governors order prohibiting any medically unnecessary, non-urgent or nonemergency procedure. But I, an 82-year-old woman who has been waiting more than five long, painful months for a hip replacement, had her surgery canceled by the same Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York.

You report that his operation was defined as essential care by the hospital in Florida and could proceed as planned. How is this an ethical decision? Or is it based on his economic stardom?

Clearly, my agonizing wait, with no end in sight, doesnt count against an elite sports figure who commands essential care and the use of scarce resources. He can walk. I cant.

Susan AddelstonNew York

To the Editor:

Re At the Frontlines of Coronavirus, Turning to Social Media, by Helen Ouyang, M.D. (Doctors, nytimes.com, March 18):

Social media has become a pivotal communication tool in the 21st century and central to information and misinformation dissemination in the Covid-19 pandemic. While there are potential drawbacks, social media has enabled the scientific community to analyze and discuss data in nearly real time allowing for informed decision-making and multidisciplinary global research collaborations.

In our on demand society, it is vital to balance rapid dissemination of information with scientific integrity. Social media has been crucial for dispelling myths surrounding Covid-19 and building relationships between the media and experts. These relationships are critical to ensure proper context and information flowing to the public.

As the world becomes increasingly technologically sophisticated and interconnected during this time of uncertainty, scientists and the media must ensure that accurate scientific information is shared and promoted.

Krutika KuppalliCarlos Del RioJason KindrachukAngela L. RasmussenMuge CevikDr. Kuppalli is vice chair of the Global Health Committee, Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. Del Rio is a professor of medicine at Emory University. Dr. Kindrachuk is Canada research chair in emerging viruses, University of Manitoba. Dr. Rasmussen is associate research scientist at the Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Cevik is clinical academic in the Division of Infection and Global Health Research, School of Medicine, University of St. Andrews.

Read the rest here:
For Better Relations With Iran - The New York Times