Sounding off: Do the patriotic thing to stop covid-19

I am saddened to hear Americans call covid-19 a hoax. I believe these are patriotic Americans. But what’s patriotic about dismissing covid-19, when it has killed more than twice as many Americans as died in the Vietnam War? What’s patriotic about not social distancing to limit its spread and allow a safer return to work and school? What’s patriotic about not wearing a mask to protect other Americans?

And I am angry to see elected officials who stoke this sentiment. State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, is just one example. On a recent call where his supporters were claiming covid-19 a hoax, he didn’t contradict them. That’s politics at its worst. It’s being complicit, and it is not the leadership we deserve.

Relaxing restrictions allowed covid-19 to rebound, threatening economic return. It has created an impossible situation for schools, anxious to return to in-person teaching but also charged with protecting the health of children, teachers and staff.

Over 168,000 Americans have died from covid-19. Set aside one hour for each family, to express condolences and console them for their loss. Ten hours a day, 365 days a year would take 44 years to reach every family.

If you believe covid-19 is a hoax, please talk to grieving families. Talk to the meat packers. Talk to the nursing home residents. And be sure to wear a mask while you’re doing it. It’s the patriotic thing to do.

Richard Hughes, O’Hara

Everyone agrees on secure voting

Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli’s letter “Trump’s attacks on voting rights” I believe clearly shows her Trump Derangement Sydrome and her hate for conservatives.

Ms. Cerilli, everyone should agree that voting needs to be as secure as possible. Purging voter rolls simply is removing the deceased or folks who have moved to another state/district. This practice should be automatic annually. Why don’t you champion that in Westmoreland County? This, along with real voter ID, would go a long way in securing accurate rolls. Why would anyone be against that?

And Cerilli’s claim that Trump and allies (conservative voters) are trying to suppress the voices of Pennsylvanians is unfounded and inflammatory rhetoric. I challenge you and this newspaper to provide legitimate proof of your claim.

And for Cerilli to hold President Lyndon Johnson as some standard bearer is painful to many. The families of those killed only because their sons drew lower draft lottery numbers than the kids next door stil are haunted by the thoughts of Johnson’s incompetence. Johnson was the architect of escalating the Vietnam War. Most of the deaths occurred on his watch (almost 36,000). The annual deaths of young U.S. servicemen increased from 118 in 1963 to 16,592 in 1968. While we are dismantling statues and erasing history, maybe we should erase all history of Johnson. And what about the 17 Democratic senators who voted against the Voting Rights Act? Erase them also?

Everyone should insist that voting be secure and accurate. That has always been a part of the Republican Party platform.

Michael J. Kardell, Murrysville

Risks of returning to school

In her column “The math of school safety and coronavirus,” Community Engagement Editor Lori Falce said she would not let her child return to school. She says the risk is too high given that there have been (at the time of writing) more than 7,200 covid-19 deaths in Pennsylvania, which is one out of every 1,758 residents. As further evidence, she cites the Florida Marlins baseball team, which had 17 players contract the virus in spite of all their resources.

Well, here are some other facts for Falce to consider. In Pennsylvania, there have been zero deaths under the age of 19. The majority of deaths have been in nursing homes, and the average age of death is over 80.

As for the Marlins, how many players died? How many were hospitalized? How many even knew they were sick? The answers are zero, zero and few had mild symptoms.

Falce must also be aware that youth baseball was played all summer, as the Tribune-Review sports department covered Bushy Run winning the Westmoreland County American Baseball League championship. Judging by the pictures in the paper, none of the players wore masks. How many of those kids died? How many were hospitalized? How many got sick? I think that answer is also zero, since it would have been front-page news had it happened.

It is Falce’s right as a mother to keep her child out of school. But as an editor with a large platform, she shouldn’t spread what I believe is irrational fear about the risks of returning to school.

Richard Parnell, Murrysville

Joe Biden is a moral, ethical man in control

I wonder where letter-writer “Dr.” Bob Jacobs received his medical degree (“Are Democrats hidin’ Biden?”). To make the statement that Joe Biden “seems to be showing signs of early Alzheimer’s disease” is totally irresponsible.

I wonder if he watched Biden’s speech introducing Kamala Harris as his running mate. This was a man totally in control. No flubs, no gaffes, nothing but a great speech. Instead of parroting everything Fox News has to say, people should keep an open mind and think for themselves.

Biden has been called a lot of things by President Trump and his cohorts except for the one thing Biden is: a truly moral and ethical man who wants to get this country back on track.

Nancy Cochran, Springdale

Responsible adults, irresponsible actions

It is with great dismay that I write to express how horrible it is to have two cases of insensitive, racist, conspiratorial, biased postings on social media locally by two supposedly responsible adults charged with making decisions and policies for the good of students.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet last week confirmed via social media that a district staff member, whom he did not name, is being investigated for making a social media post that “does not reflect the attitude or beliefs of our District.” It appears that an assistant principal, who is white, shared a racist post on Instagram called “What is privilege?” (It begins, “Privilege is wearing $200 sneakers when you’ve never had a job. Privilege is wearing $300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance,” and continues with more racist stereotypes.)

Norwin School Board member Robert Wayman seems to believe that covid-19 is a hoax, and protesters are racist, communist thugs who should be run over (“Norwin director ripped over controversial posts; some call for resignation.”) He went as far as suggesting “armed combat” to ensure President Trump gets another term.

I understand that everyone has the right to their opinion. However, as people who are in the sensitive position of ensuring that all children are provided a safe and bias-free education, they have proven themselves to be unfit and should be removed from their positions.

I believe in freedom of speech. However, we have an obligation to be responsible for what we put on social media. It is time to be held accountable.

Lisa Dupree, North Huntingdon

Pro-lifer plans to vote for Joe Biden

I have been pro-life since I could vote. I have never voted for a Democratic presidential nominee. From Bush to Dole to Bush to Bush to McCain to Romney to Trump, I’ve voted for them all.

I hold Christian values dear to my heart. Those values are the cornerstone of who I am and what I believe. I recognize the current president does not hold those values.

I disagree with a lot of what Joe Biden has said. I disagree with a lot that Biden has done. However, I also know that Biden is the only viable candidate who shares many of the same values I do. Values like:

• Racism is always wrong.

• Children should be with parents and not in cages.

• Reducing poverty rates reduces abortion rates.

• Protecting the environment protects everyone.

• No child should live in poverty.

• Everyone has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Biden doesn’t share my views on everything, but he does share many of my values, and that is what should be the deciding factor for any voter.

I’m pro-life, and I’m voting for Biden with no regrets.

William Werts, Greensburg

Trump’s deeds match his promises

Tom Pevarnik wrote many negative remarks against our president in his letter “What I’ve learned about Trump.” As I read it, I grasped that his views were an emotional response to President Trump’s personality. He did not discuss the economic boom our country had experienced until covid-19 brought great fear to our nation, unemployment to our businesses and medical challenges we have never faced.

Between 2016 and 2019, there was a major political attack on our president while he persevered to make America first by these actions:

• Curtailed regulatory rules to enable huge economic advances

• Created tax cuts for corporations and individuals

• Moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

• Increased our military strength

• Signed the United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement

• Negotiated Middle East peace agreements

• Killed Obama’s Iran agreement

• Championed protection for unborn

• Used tariffs to protect U.S. companies

• Negotiated trade agreement with China

• Expanded the border wall and strengthened borders

• Supported Second Amendment

• Allowed retirees’ IRAs and 401(k)s to thrive

• Battled the coronavirus

In your lifetime, how often have you seen a president’s deeds match his promises?

I will vote for deeds every time. What do you vote for?

Terrence Feitknecht, Tarentum