Opinion category, Page 654
Letter to the editor: Government-imposed socialism is theft
Regarding Mary Kay Nafaa’s letter “Health care, socialism & capitalism” (April 6, TribLIVE): I can’t address all of her confusions, but we can start with this thought experiment. Suppose you or your family or friends or political party wanted or needed something your neighbor had. You have three choices: 1....
Letter to the editor: Nursing homes need to do better
I got quite irritated as I watched a person who owns multiple nursing homes doing a TV news interview from behind a fancy desk with a backdrop decorated with what looked like high-end paintings and decorations. This person wants funding from the government to help with the covid-19 outbreak in...
Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh foundations address covid-19 crisis
It’s encouraging to see our region’s largest grant-making foundations joining forces and shifting funding priorities to address the catastrophic issues being faced by hundreds of thousands of people in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. It’s our hope as we recover and revive our economy and workforce that our foundations...
Letter to the editor: Will we get our rights back after covid-19?
The Centers for Disease Control admits tests for covid-19 sent to states are flawed. The CDC also said the cause of death of those who tested positive for covid-19 is from covid-19 no matter the real cause of death. And that is with a flawed test! Hospitals are being reimbursed...
Editorial: May 8 could be moving target for pandemic reopening
May 8. That’s when Gov. Tom Wolf is saying the state can slowly start to come out of its coronavirus shell, tentatively getting back to the business of being normal again. It’s more than two weeks away. And maybe that’s enough to make a difference. After all, a lot can...
Tom Purcell: The EPA made it harder to mow my lawn
I used to enjoy mowing the lawn. Now it agitates the heck out of me. My agitation is the result of the gas-container safety spouts the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated since 2009 — spouts that barely allow gas to come out. According to Jeffrey Tucker, editorial director at...
Ryan Costello: Stopping covid-19 surprise bills in Pa.
When Danni Askini, a registered nurse and two-time cancer survivor, began to feel ill — chest pains, headaches and shortness of breath – she did the right thing and immediately got tested for the coronavirus. Unfortunately, the tests came back positive. While receiving treatment, she got another shock — a...
Frasat Ahmad: Fighting covid-19 during Ramadan
“Mom, don’t leave. It’s too dangerous.” “If I don’t,” my mother replies, “my children will starve.” “I’m your child,” I respond. “So are they,” she says. I have had this debate with my mother for more than a month. Deemed an essential worker, my 61-year old mother leaves her house...
Letter to the editor: Nurses thankful for church’s donations
Earlier this month, my church, Otterbein United Methodist Church of Greensburg, contacted me about picking up some things to donate to my work family —% treats for all the nursing units at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Their generosity filled the back of a minivan. Wow! From a group of about...
Letter to the editor: Only military deserve military benefits
I really appreciate how hard everyone is working toward the goal of fighting covid-19. I appreciate that the Trib published Douglas Morris’ op-ed “All American workers deserve military benefits” (April 4, TribLIVE), and it clearly illustrates that if you look long and hard enough, you can find the stupidest thing...
Letter to the editor: Government must help keep families fed
I fondly remember Shop ’n Save employees giving me free balloons and lollipops as a kid. I lit up with gratitude and pride when I saw their $10,000 donation to food banks (“Shop ’n Save donates $10,000 to Western Pa. food banks.” ) The donation is needed, as the Greater...
Letter to the editor: Working for experimental treatments
I am 23 and was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma brain tumor in November 2016. Doctors gave me six to nine months to live. However, after 34 rounds of radiation, four different chemos and many, many prayers, as of my last scan, there was no evidence of the tumor. I...
Letter to the editor: Pa. shouldn’t go fishing during pandemic
On the same day Pennsylvania recorded its highest one-day total of coronavirus cases, Gov. Tom Wolf hung out a “go fishing” sign — the same governor who was late issuing a statewide stay-at-home, the same governor who continues to allow on-site purchasing of lottery tickets. Now Wolf invites everyone to...
Letter to the editor: Time to consider year-round school
Children have been out of school since early March, and our governor has shut down the schools for the rest of the current school year. Even though some schools have online teaching, there are many school districts that cannot afford to give all children an iPad or computer. Some families...
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of April 20
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of April 20....
Editorial cartoons for the week of April 20
Editorial cartoons for the week of April 20....
David Zurawik: ‘Frontline’ traces start of covid-19 crisis in America, telling a tale of two WashingtonsVideo
It has been a punishing last week for the White House as some of the biggest guns in American journalism have taken aim at President Donald Trump’s failed leadership in the covid-19 crisis. The reckoning started last weekend with a major piece from the New York Times titled “He Could...
Kristy Trautmann: Help victims of domestic violence
Across the country and around the world, rates of domestic violence have soared during the coronavirus crisis. People who abuse are taking advantage of social distancing to isolate victims from their friends and family. Over the past month, domestic violence calls to the Pittsburgh Police have increased by 20% to...
Editorial: Don’t forget broadband after lockdown
In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about expanding broadband connectivity. As more and more government offices and services went online, the divide between accessible and inaccessible became undeniable. Data plans and internet services aren’t cheap, cutting out the poor. Rural areas and some low-income neighborhoods don’t...
Dr. Lawrence John: Covid-19 could devastate medical practices
We have all seen the images of crowded hospitals overrun with patients infected with covid-19. As a result of covid-19 regulations, another significant health care dilemma is developing, as medical practices witness a significant decline in patient visits during this pandemic. Government-mandated cutbacks on elective procedures and routine check-ups have...
Letter to the editor: Victim of money seizure due double what he lost
You offered a “laurel” to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for returning $82,373 to an Allegheny County man that was unjustifiably confiscated from his daughter six months prior (“Laurels & lances: Seizing, teaching, tasting and hoarding,” March 12, TribLIVE). The Bible instructs on matters of theft with the basic guideline...
Letter to the editor: Low risk to opening schools
I don’t understand the rationale for Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to cancel the rest of the school year. The IMHE model from the University of Washington projected a peak of 773 ICU beds needed on April 13 (1,043 are available) for Pennsylvania, with only 371 needed on May 1. The...
Letter to the editor: Trump will get us through
Our country, our world, is dealing with a medical situation that has never happened before in modern history. Decisions are being made, problems are being dealt with, and lives are being saved. These decisions are being made by President Donald J. Trump and his expert team of advisers. So why...
Letter to the editor: School taxes should be reduced
Since Gov. Tom Wolf has made the decision to close all schools for the remaining school year and with school taxes coming due, we taxpayers should be contacting the governor and our school districts asking for a reduction in our school taxes. Understanding that the teachers are still working and...
Letter to the editor: Trump needs to be a better leader
It is a shame how our president downplayed the coronavirus pandemic. First it was “one person coming in from China, and we have it under control”; 15 people will get the virus and within a week it will be down to zero. Then it was, “Wouldn’t it be great to...
