TribLive stories, Page 1802

LOS ANGELES — California’s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has tamped down the coronavirus pandemic and left many hospitals largely empty, waiting for a surge that has yet to come. The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools, businesses and other institutions...

Nancy Pelosi was on TV extolling the virtues of the Senate’s bill. She went on at length about how she and the Democrats changed the bill from a corporate bailout to one aiding American workers. She didn’t mention they had delayed this bill for about a week trying to get...

As the world goes through the coronavirus pandemic, with severity forecasts constantly changing because of imprecise data, the only known constant is that if you are a senior citizen and have health problems, you have a greater potential of succumbing to the disease. With this in mind, it might be...

Regarding Rep. Dan Frankel’s op-ed “Congratulations on your new gun. Now lock it up.” (March 25, TribLIVE): Frankel is wrong when he states that a gun in the home makes you less safe. The supporting studies he cites inevitably lead to the 1993 CDC-funded Kellerman study, which is a highly...

Reading Jacob Tierney’s article “More than 600 inmates released from Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh to slow pandemic” (March 31, Triblive) had me thinking was that it’s about time. But it shouldn’t take a pandemic for this to happen. According to a report released by University of Pittsburgh’s Criminal Justice...

Small Acts of Kindness The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family or your organization to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com. Send information of...

Easter isn’t a celebration of rabbits and chocolate. It isn’t about the lilies and jelly beans and ham. It isn’t even about the church service with meaningful sermons and little kids in crisp new pastel outfits. That’s all an important part of the annual rite of spring. It’s just not...

Erin Wall teaches AP English at Woodland Hills High School, where she has worked since 2005. The sounds of our schools are silenced. The tapping of pencil marks, the screeching of desks, the ticking of the clock, the chiming of the bell, the laughter and chatter of voices that flow...

Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced more than $450 million in low-interest loans meant to keep hospitals afloat as they continue to lose revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals statewide have canceled elective surgeries and nonurgent procedures to free up bed space and limit the spread of covid-19. At the...

Music snobbery is making a comeback. On the heels of the excellent serial remake of “High Fidelity,” about a tasteful Brooklyn record store owner, comes “Trolls World Tour,” in which different pixie clans each representing a music genre vie for sonic domination. Both are quaint in their own way, pretending...

Apple and Google launched a major joint effort to leverage smartphone technology to contain the covid-19 pandemic. New software the companies plan to add to phones would make it easier to use Bluetooth wireless technology to track down people for who may have been infected by coronavirus carriers. The idea...

Infowars founder Alex Jones has received an official warning from the Food and Drug Administration for peddling phony coronavirus cures online. In a formal letter to the alt-right television personality on Thursday, the agency ordered Jones to stop telling viewers of his widely watched broadcasts that they can stave off...

In any battle, clear objectives are imperative. Unfortunately, in fighting a virus invisible to the naked eye, the end goal has become nearly as intangible: flatten the curve, slow the spread, contain the virus. But how flat? How slow? How contained? When will we know if we’ve succeeded? Clearly, we...

Jefferson Hills borough officials, led by council president pro tempore Nicole Ruscitto and president Karen Bucy, have designed and implemented a new program dubbed Neighbors Helping Neighbors to assist the borough’s senior citizens during the covid-19 pandemic, according to a news release. Volunteers are delivering donated non-perishable food and household...

Singer Rihanna is joining forces with Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey to help victims of domestic violence living in Los Angeles during the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, the “Needed Me” artist’s Clara Lionel Foundation announced that the duo is co-funding a $4.2-million grant to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles....

Pennsylvania has the second highest tax on diesel fuel (I’m surprised we’re not No. 1) in the nation. Without truckers, medical supplies and groceries could not be delivered. Until the coronavirus pandemic ends, the tax on diesel fuel should be suspended. Tony Pittore Penn Township, Westmoreland County...

Regarding Richard P. Davis’ letter “Trump’s inaction on coronavirus” (April 7, TribLIVE): As usual, it’s all President Trump’s fault. Davis cites spring break in Florida and Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana. Funny how he left out Nancy Pelosi telling people to come to Chinatown in San Francisco in late February,...

After watching President Trump’s daily updates on the coronavirus, it makes me wonder how far ahead of this problem we would be if Trump took it seriously months ago. While China, South Korea and other countries were locking down to prevent the spread of this virus, Trump was using it...

While the state loses over $6 million a day in liquor sales, our governor proclaims, “We are doing everything we can to help.” How exactly? Safe practices are in place at many stores that protect both customer and employee. We can’t do that at our Fine Wine & Good Spirits...

After 15 years of practicing in Excela Health emergency rooms, Dr. Greg Harbaugh has added a new twist to his daily routine. Every day when he arrives home, Harbaugh strips down in the garage, places his clothing in a plastic bag, dumps the contents in the washing machine and heads...