Viruses are apolitical. They are only looking for a warm host. For those who insist on playing the red team/blue team card, claiming that Gov. Tom Wolf’s responses to the virus are part of a “vast left-wing conspiracy,” let’s look at how neighboring states led by Republican governors responded to the virus.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice had “closed down” the state with rules similar to or in some cases even more restrictive than Pennsylvania, this despite the fact that the entire state of West Virginia currently has only 30 more deaths than Westmoreland County alone. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also closed all non-essential businesses. All three states appear only slightly ahead of Pennsylvania in “opening up.”

Nobody will be forcing anyone to go anywhere. Regardless of what the government mandates, each of us is going to have to decide when and where we are comfortable going. Those who throw caution to the wind may eventually be the herd in my immunity.

Polls show that 65% of Americans are opposed to lifting stay-at-home restrictions. Does this mean 65% of business customers will be staying in regardless? We will see. Like everyone else, I am restless, looking for legal — but more importantly, safe — places to go.

Thomas C. Spallone

Hempfield

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