Opinion category, Page 646
Letter to the editor: We need candidates who respect science
Despite President Trump’s recent change of heart, he must still be held accountable for the damage that has been inflicted by covid-19. His undeniable indifference to health experts’ advice early on will no doubt cost lives. Moreover, his predominantly anti-scientific approach toward the pandemic is downright irresponsible. His longtime contempt...
Letter to the editor: Where is leaders’ common sense?
Regarding the article “Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto ending self- quarantine” (March 24, TribLIVE): Why is it that Peduto can emerge from his covid-19 self-quarantine and get back to work at his office? He had said that he was able to work from home, but now needs to violate the stay-at-home order...
Letter to the editor: Now is the time to question our leaders
Regarding the article “$25K bonuses, other resources for Pa. essential workers could be on the way”: Some would argue that this is not the time to speak up or question our leaders, but I believe now is exactly the time and our responsibility to do so. I’m a lifelong independent,...
Tracy Gordon Fox: As a nurse, not much scares me, but coronavirus does
My patient lay on her side, her back heaving up and down. At first, I was afraid that perhaps she was becoming increasingly short of breath. As I moved closer and saw her face, I noticed she was crying. Streaks of tears rolled down her smooth brown skin. “Are you...
Editorial: Hospital loans could save lives
We need our hospitals. Right now, they are all busy with other things. Emergency departments are taking care of the victims of the coronavirus pandemic. Health care workers are testing to identify those with covid-19 symptoms. Intensive care units are struggling with the task of trying to save lives —...
Dr. Christopher Koman: Normalcy bias hampers fight against covid-19
Christopher Koman, M.D., is a family physician with Genesis Medical Associates in McCandless. A farmer has a pond. On day 1, there is one lily pad. He knows that they grow fast and will double every day and completely cover his pond in 30 days. On what day will his...
Jonah Goldberg: Curve-flattening result of behavioral change, not central planning
There’s an intense, often ugly debate over the response to the covid-19 pandemic. In broad brushstrokes, some contend that the lower-than-predicted death toll proves the models forecasting massive fatalities were needlessly sensational. Some even suggest they were deliberately so, to scare politicians, including President Trump, into taking drastic and unnecessary...
Letter to the editor: Row officers should work full days
Jason Hamilton’s letter “Transparency vs. politics” (March 20, TribLIVE) completely misses the point. While I understand his desire to defend his spouse, Westmoreland County Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton, the idea her lack of time in the office should be justified by the fact she “answers questions at the...
Letter to the editor: Keep alcohol consumption in moderation
Practicing social distancing and thorough hand-washing is critical to lessening the impact of covid-19. Prioritizing self-care and optimal health practices are also crucial at this time. For those who drink alcohol, reflect on your alcohol consumption to ensure it falls within the moderate drinking guidelines. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines define...
Letter to the editor: Coronor’s office covid-19 records
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...
Letter to the editor: Goodness prevails with home health care workers
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...
Letter to the editor: Hysteria shouldn’t kill our economy
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,...
Editorial: The economy needs an immune system
When President Trump says the economy needs to be open, he’s not wrong. It’s a matter of timing and safety, based on scientific data, as the president himself has said. But when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says, “This is not a light switch we can just flick on and...
Michael Hiltzik: Trump can’t reopen the economy after the coronavirus, but governors can’t either
President Donald Trump’s assertion Monday that he has “ultimate,” even “total” authority to dictate the reopening of the U.S. economy raised eyebrows among constitutional scholars and set up a conflict with governors and local officials who have placed their own states and communities on lockdown. “In the coming weeks, the...
Susan Spicka: We must ensure equity in remote learning for students
For many Pennsylvanians, the covid-19 pandemic became real on March 13 when Gov. Tom Wolf ordered Pennsylvania’s schools to close. The governor’s recent announcement that schools will not reopen this school year has brought sadness and a deep sense of loss to students, families and educators, who will be wholly...
Letter to the editor: Trump hatred & hydroxychloroquine
“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...
Letter to the editor: Methodist Church, LGBT & judgment
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...
Letter to the editor: Play by rules to keep parks open
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...
Letter to the editor: We need a truthful, responsible president
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...
Pat Buchanan: What price victory in the coronavirus war?
T he same day the number of U.S. dead from the coronavirus disease hit the 15,000 mark, we also crossed the 15 million mark on the number of Americans we threw out of work to slow its spread and “bend the curve.” For each American lost to the pandemic, 1,000...
Letter to the editor: Gov. Wolf, please end this dilemma
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....
Letter to the editor: We must keep being alone together
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...
Tom Purcell: Work-from-home productivity has come a long way since 1918
Covid-19 has millions working from home. As a longtime teleworker, let me offer some advice. Working from home has many upsides: no traffic jams, office politics or need for business attire. But a month-plus into this pandemic, many are realizing teleworking’s downsides. My morning commute goes from my bedroom to...
Editorial: Voting decision sooner, not later
In some high-stakes competitions, you can get two scores. You get one for degree of difficulty — for trying a backflip instead of a somersault. But you also get one for execution. Fail spectacularly on the attempt and the effort doesn’t matter quite as much. Let’s acknowledge that every government...
Letter to the editor: No use asking for property tax relief
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...
