For the last nine months, the pandemic has been raging across our country and across the world. Over the past few weeks, things only have gotten worse — with more infections, more hospitalizations, more deaths, more politicization and now another closure.

I agree that we need to mitigate this virus, support our hospitals and keep people as safe and healthy as possible, especially our most vulnerable citizens. However, this most recent shutdown, while necessary, has been executed poorly.

Front-line workers are trying to keep everyone safe and keep things functioning. While this current shutdown may help slow the spread of the virus, it is dealing death blows to already struggling businesses while larger retail chains are raking in increased profits.

I’m in full support of getting this virus under control; however, I’m also in support of getting aid to those who need it most — businesses, front-line workers and the unemployed. While I applaud Congress for passing a bipartisan deal, it should have happened sooner, and this bill does not go far enough. Struggling Americans need significant help immediately.

It’s not a handout. It’s a prevention measure to stop our economy from free-falling, to stop this health crisis from getting even worse and to stop causing avoidable deaths and sickness to innocent Americans. The health of our communities, our economy and our nation are at stake. Will the state Legislature and U.S. Congress give a bigger boost to the American people in the new year?

Matt Shorraw

Monessen

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