Letters to the Editor category, Page 274

It is state statute that requires covid-19 cases be reported to the coroner of the county where the death occurs (1218-B Coroner’s Investigation: (7) A death known or suspected to be due to contagious disease and constituting a public hazard). In most cases, jurisdiction would be released to the attending...

Sometimes in the midst of tragedy, goodness prevails and good people respond to the needs of others most in need. All across Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the United States, home care workers, staff, nurses and owners of home health care agencies have embraced this concept during the coronavirus pandemic. The home...

It’s amazing so many are oblivious to the enormous damage this lockdown could do to our lives for years to come. When President Trump suggested we restart the economy soon, there was a chorus of criticism from the political left claiming he cared more about money than saving lives. Indeed,...

“Unproven, risky hydroxychloroquine” a headline exclaimed on the April 10 front page. I wish President Trump hadn’t said he was optimistic about the drug’s ability to fight covid-19. Maybe then the media wouldn’t have launched into knee-jerk Trump hatred, attacking the one drug that has shown more success fighting the...

Jan Lee’s letter “Methodist Church & LGBT people” (March 13, TribLIVE) was spot on. Imagine, a bouncer at church. You are right: Jesus was not at that church because, if he were, the bouncer would have been bounced out. I, for one, would not attempt to enter that church. I...

It would be tragic if our beloved parks had to be shut down because of a few ignorant people. Seriously, how difficult is it to stay 6 feet away from each other, and maybe wear masks, too? During this beautiful but scary 2020 spring, our parks provide an important and...

In 2018, President Trump dismantled the National Security Council pandemic response leadership, leaving the U.S. unprepared for what medical professionals and scientists said would be inevitable. His administration also shelved a comprehensive pandemic response brief, prepared by the NSC’s health unit after the outbreak of the Ebola virus and finalized...

Dear Gov. Tom Wolf, My concern is the economic cratering of our economy, both nationally and locally, from the social-distancing mandates. I may be a voice in the wilderness; however, consideration must be given to roll back your directives that have imposed harsh sanctions upon the people of our commonwealth....

To our community: It has been a trying time. It is tough to be away from friends and family. It is hard for all of us. But this is not the time for us to take our collective feet off the brake pedal. Now is the time for us to...

Regarding David A. Colecchia’s letter. “Leaders must act on property tax relief” (April 2, TribLIVE): Mr. Colecchia, throw that whistle away; you’re just blowing in the wind. You have no leaders in your government, only feeders, and bottom ones at that. Carl F. Miller North Belle Vernon...

Benjamin Franklin once said: “For the want of a nail the shoe was lost, for the want of a shoe the horse was lost, for the want of a horse the rider was lost, for the want of a rider the battle was lost, for the want of a battle...

Let’s see … our state leadership decided to close all “nonessential” businesses to fight the coronavirus (including the state-run liquor stores). However, grocery stores selling wine and beer and beer distributors were deemed “essential.” What is the difference? Oh, right — the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) employees, who continue...

I heard it again at the grocery store, the loud boastful, “If I get it, I get it,” as if to say “I don’t need to take any precautions.” Yes, you are young and healthy and most likely would survive the virus. But no, this is not just about you....

Our niece, Tracy, is an intensive care nurse at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, a small city in the rural southwestern corner of Georgia. Covid-19 invaded Albany in early March. The outbreak has largely been attributed to a funeral in late February that drew over 100 mourners, including a...

Does anybody remember the Johnstown Flood of 1936? Yeah, me neither. But do you know that in 1936, Pennsylvania enacted a “temporary” liquor tax in order to help pay for the damages caused by that flood? At the time, it was 10%; today, it is 18%. Fast-forward to 2020 and...

We have reached a point in our history where our fate is being determined by our ability to sew. We are sewing masks because the federal government has failed to provide. Sewing takes preparation. You have to visualize the end product. You must plan. You must strategize. To make a...

It is utterly unconscionable that the people of Wisconsin were forced to choose between exerting their basic right to vote and their health as in-person voting took place in the midst of a pandemic. The result was predictable: The majority of polling places did not have sufficient staff to operate,...

Even though I am a Trump supporter, I hope Democrats are watching N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo giving his daily summary. He is the real deal. President Trump will wipe out Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders — not even close. Cuomo would be a formidable candidate, causing Trump serious problems. He...

Two of God’s children are being exploited by those whose hatred is evil — our president and Joe Biden. My heart is overwhelmed when I hear the hateful speech, and when a man who could be suffering from problems with his mind is thrust into evil situations and needs compassion...

Nancy Pelosi was on TV extolling the virtues of the Senate’s bill. She went on at length about how she and the Democrats changed the bill from a corporate bailout to one aiding American workers. She didn’t mention they had delayed this bill for about a week trying to get...

As the world goes through the coronavirus pandemic, with severity forecasts constantly changing because of imprecise data, the only known constant is that if you are a senior citizen and have health problems, you have a greater potential of succumbing to the disease. With this in mind, it might be...

Regarding Rep. Dan Frankel’s op-ed “Congratulations on your new gun. Now lock it up.” (March 25, TribLIVE): Frankel is wrong when he states that a gun in the home makes you less safe. The supporting studies he cites inevitably lead to the 1993 CDC-funded Kellerman study, which is a highly...

Reading Jacob Tierney’s article “More than 600 inmates released from Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh to slow pandemic” (March 31, Triblive) had me thinking was that it’s about time. But it shouldn’t take a pandemic for this to happen. According to a report released by University of Pittsburgh’s Criminal Justice...

Pennsylvania has the second highest tax on diesel fuel (I’m surprised we’re not No. 1) in the nation. Without truckers, medical supplies and groceries could not be delivered. Until the coronavirus pandemic ends, the tax on diesel fuel should be suspended. Tony Pittore Penn Township, Westmoreland County...

Regarding Richard P. Davis’ letter “Trump’s inaction on coronavirus” (April 7, TribLIVE): As usual, it’s all President Trump’s fault. Davis cites spring break in Florida and Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana. Funny how he left out Nancy Pelosi telling people to come to Chinatown in San Francisco in late February,...