Sounding off: Teachers should not be vaccine priority

I was absolutely shocked and appalled to hear that teachers and their union have requested to be included in the 1B covid-19 vaccination group.

As a group, teachers are in a much lower risk category than those 65-plus with compromised immune systems and 75-plus seniors. Their students are in a considerably lower risk group than the teachers.

How many lives will be lost in the 65-plus and 75-plus groups so that teachers can be immunized? Have the teachers no shame? It seems that today’s teachers do not have any shame; they only have a very powerful union that puts them above all others, even at the expense of the lives of those 65 and older.

I have no objection to teachers being prioritized after seniors so that children can get back to regular school.

John L. Petrancosta Sr., Glenshaw

Teachers need covid vaccines

Regarding John Petrancosta’s letter “Teachers should not be vaccine priority”: My daughter is a teacher. In case you missed it, children can be carriers and, yes, my daughter has been working in school every day this year. If it makes you feel better, I’m more than happy to give her my spot in the vaccination line.

Monica Yuhas, Smock

Election conspiracies don’t pass smell test

A rigged election influenced by a dead Venezuelan dictator and abetted by dozens of compromised judges in the federal court system and in the Supreme Court who turned a blind eye to the “evidence,” a “traitorous” vice president who ignored his “constitutional obligation” to invalidate the presidential election results, the entire federal government covertly controlled by Satan-worshipping pedophile cannibals, and now, after President Trump stoked the fire under his supporters for months, it’s Democrats dressed in Republican clothing who infiltrated a peaceful protest and instigated the assault on our Capitol? How outlandish does the narrative have to be before anyone with at least half a brain takes a step back and asks, “Does all of this truly pass the smell test?”

Gary Russak, North Huntingdon

Focus energy on vaccine rollout

People are outraged by the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6. However, that outrage would be better placed elsewhere. Namely the slow distribution of, and inoculation with, the covid-19 vaccine. What government activity could, or should, have a higher priority?

The vaccine was approved for emergency use Dec. 11. Since then, the inoculation rate has been less than stellar. By early January, it was estimated less than 16% of the nursing homes had received vaccines. Some states are doing better, others worse. A Tribune-Review article indicated only half of Pennsylvania nursing homes have administered inoculations, and Redstone Highlands was administering its first Jan. 11 (“Redstone Highlands’ Greensburg staffers, residents get covid vaccines; about half of Pa. nursing homes have been treated”). Another article indicated Pennsylvania administered 285,671 doses but has received over 800,000 doses (“Pa. health secretary says ‘it’s a misconception’ that covid vaccines are sitting dormant”). One would think a higher percentage of nursing homes would have performed more inoculations by now.

Why the slow rollout? Some states have said they don’t have the money, or there was no federal plan. These are excuses. Don’t build a bridge or pave a highway, or take funds from some other project. What could be more important?

Likewise, states would know best how to roll out the vaccine within their respective states. State leaders knew the vaccine was coming. The CDC issued guidelines, and HHS issued distribution plans in September.

Instead of directing outrage at past events, time and effort would be much better directed in saving people’s lives.

Tom Cerra, Latrobe

Reschenthaler is not a patriot

I feel compelled to respond to Jeff Hoener’s letter “Reschenthaler and Joyce are patriots.” This was “the most secure election in history.” “We have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.” Those are quotes from officials in Trump’s own administration. There was no meaningful fraud, period.

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Peters, is not a patriot, not even close. He objected to my lawful, legal vote and all those patriots who voted in Pennsylvania. How dare you, sir? Have you no shame? All the while saying his vote count was perfect. What a hypocrite. He was on the exact same ballot as Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Reschenthaler is not a patriot; just the opposite. This Guy voted against a $2,000 stimulus check for struggling, hard-working Pennsylvanians. This Guy voted against the Heroes Act. But he voted for $2 trillion in tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

Reschenthaler is not a patriot. He encouraged the mobs that stormed the Capitol building that resulted in five deaths and many hospitalized. By spreading falsehoods for his own political gain, he has endangered our democracy.

We should be proud as a nation that so many Americans turned out to vote in this election. Don’t be discouraged. This was a free and fair election. Your vote counted like never before.

Jim Hill, Lower Burrell

Predicting bumpy ride under Biden

After four years of vicious, heinous abuse and name-calling of President Donald Trump, his followers and millions of conservative Americans, the Democrats now want to censor and deprogram us. So much for unity.

In addition, President Biden has declared he will reverse Trump’s “America first” policies. Coincidentally, immigrants are rushing to our borders. Others in the Paris climate accord are likely salivating over the money they will receive from the Biden administration. And Russia, Iran, North Korea and the like are waiting to bulldoze this new president at the first sign of weakness.

But, in my opinion, the most frightening is China. The Democrats will bankrupt our country, and President Xi Jinping is watching, waiting for the demise of America’s greatest economy and the mighty strength of our nation — all created by Trump, backed by patriotic Americans.

So now is the time to put on your biggie pants. President Obama said in 2016 that “elections have consequences.” Yes, they do. Hang on tight. The next four years are going to be a very bumpy ride.

Jeanne Shields, North Huntingdon

Please, senators, vote to impeach

It was with genuine concern that I decided to write the following letter and sent it to our senators. Feel free to copy or modify it, or please write an original letter to them. Let’s make our voices heard without physical protest.

My husband and I are both deeply disturbed by the sentiments of our nation these past four years. Oftentimes with great dismay, anger and sorrow, we’ve watched our fellow citizens’ reactions to all the disturbing events that took place throughout these four years. Now the culmination of these events, the actions of our representatives in Congress, and the rhetoric of our outgoing president have brought our country to a crossroads in history. Either we the citizens of this great democracy choose to uphold its principles and laws, or we decide to change course and establish a new type of republic where the leader establishes the rule of law. Those are the only two choices.

Since neither my husband nor I have the ability to voice our decision, we need your voice to do it for us. We want our democracy to stay intact. We want the democracy that our forefathers so brilliantly laid out. Unlike what many people think, we think our democracy is strong and resilient, and can withstand the actions of disturbed, immoral people.

So it is our desire that you vote to impeach the former president of this great United States. Our country has always been and always will be great. We didn’t need and will never need a “ruler” to tell us that. Please vote to impeach Donald Trump.

Linda Stevenson, New Kensington