Letter to the editor: Un-American covid rules must end

Regarding the editorial “A smart, phased-in return to more restaurant and bar service” (March 17, TribLIVE): Cautious optimism? Enough mumbo jumbo!

It’s been over a year. We’ve got covid protocols, testing, vaccines, quarantine and Dr. Fauci rules … and so many hard-working, law- abiding small business owner remain financially wounded or crushed.

Open the doors now. Grant every business in Pennsylvania “immunity from liability.” Recommend the appropriate level of public safety protocol. Put the government’s time, energy and money into testing, vaccinations and economic recovery.

Trust the people to make their own informed decisions. That is what responsible people do when living in a free country.

In 2020, it was our political leaders in Harrisburg, not the covid virus, who ordered schools and businesses closed. It was our political leaders in Harrisburg who rolled out a state lockdown order. Our leadership saw “the people” as the covid threat. But wait, not all of you. Not you — you’re essential.

When Harrisburg orders businesses to lock their doors, Harrisburg cannot turn its back. It must accept responsibility for the survival of those businesses. The rug was pulled, and many business owners, plus their families, employees and customers, were left high and dry. A year later, the message remains loud and clear: “You are on your own, and you will comply.”

While the Centers for Disease Control issued its weekly covid protocols, our governor issued weekly pandemic orders designed to control the behavior of our friends and neighbors.

Every minute of this authoritative lockdown exercise is immoral, unethical and un-American.

Rod Gerhart

Donegal