Sounding off: A covid-19 tax will be coming to Pennsylvania

Does anybody remember the Johnstown Flood of 1936? Yeah, me neither. But do you know that in 1936, Pennsylvania enacted a “temporary” liquor tax in order to help pay for the damages caused by that flood? At the time, it was 10%; today, it is 18%.

Fast-forward to 2020 and the covid-19 pandemic. Gasoline sales are down, state sales taxes are down, lottery ticket sales are down, casinos are closed, turnpike usage is down and we are told to stay home. Now unemployment is up, which drains the state budget by decreasing the amount of money collected due to state wages, and by people collecting unemployment compensation.

You can bet that our governor and his cronies are plotting to impose a tax on us, the likes of which has never been seen, in order to make up for the loss in revenue, and like the liquor tax and the turnpike fees, it will be “temporary.”

You heard it here first.

George Silowash, Penn Township, Westmoreland County

Wisconsin voting debacle unconscionable

It is utterly unconscionable that the people of Wisconsin were forced to choose between exerting their basic right to vote and their health as in-person voting took place in the midst of a pandemic. The result was predictable: The majority of polling places did not have sufficient staff to operate, and many voters waited in lines for hours. The blame for this debacle can be placed squarely at the feet of Wisconsin’s Republican elected officials, who stood in the way of delaying the primary election and measures that would have made it easier and safer to cast a ballot.

The Republicans do not want to make voting simpler, and the president has brazenly told us why he objects, that when mail-in balloting and early voting are permitted, more people will vote and Democrats will benefit disproportionately, i.e., suppressing votes is in his interest. He can expect solid support from Trumpublican members of Congress.

In Pennsylvania, and just in the nick of time, no-excuse absentee balloting is finally law. Voters may receive mail-in ballots automatically for current and future elections. This should be a model for all states if we wish to live up to the nation’s mantra of fostering and encouraging the people’s right to vote. That right should not be infringed by forcing citizens to wait for hours as a highly contagious and lethal disease is ravaging the country.

Voters of goodwill, particularly those in Wisconsin, should remember that the GOP has clearly stated that it does not care about the very lives of American citizens.

Oren Spiegler, Peters

We must keep health care providers safe

Our niece, Tracy, is an intensive care nurse at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, a small city in the rural southwestern corner of Georgia. Covid-19 invaded Albany in early March. The outbreak has largely been attributed to a funeral in late February that drew over 100 mourners, including a man from Atlanta who died a few days after the service. Soon, relatives and friends who went to the wake fell ill, as did employees of the funeral home and worshippers at the funeral service.

Coronavirus soon overwhelmed Albany, as its hospital quickly became inundated with covid-19 patients. The small intensive care units were filled with patients, and the staff was soon rationing its dwindling supplies. Doctors, nurses and staff members are still working to exhaustion; both fatigue and the emotional toll are horrible as loved ones and acquaintances became infected, more than a few passing away.

Covid-19 is pushing America’s health care system to its limits. Albany’s story is being replicated throughout the nation as this terrible war rages on. Finally working together, Congress and the president have mobilized the nation, but must increase support as needed for the medical professionals on the front lines as they battle this monster.

Additional funding and logistics must be provided so that every health care provider has the necessary supplies and training to keep themselves, their patients and their families safe and healthy, not only now but also in the future.

Maury Fey, Murrysville

Hysteria shouldn’t kill our economy

It’s amazing so many are oblivious to the enormous damage this lockdown could do to our lives for years to come.

When President Trump suggested we restart the economy soon, there was a chorus of criticism from the political left claiming he cared more about money than saving lives.

Indeed, the covid-19 pandemic is extremely dangerous, and responsible measures should be taken to avoid its spread.

But everyone must understand the reason why we have the amazing life-saving tools like respirators and medicines to fight this virus is because people work, and economic activity creates these products and services. If we stop working, this prosperity and security will quickly evaporate, and it could take us years to recover from this.

It is not uncaring to put coronavirus in perspective and consider the millions of lives lost annually to other diseases and drug abuse, and still we have always kept working through those dangers. Why is this different?

What about the lives being ruined from the arbitrary shutdown of businesses that could safely operate? Or the lives that could be lost or shortened because people were denied needed treatment because hospitals canceled elective procedures?

Why are we allowing ourselves to be controlled by hysteria fomented by the political left?

Dave Majernik, Plum

The writer is vice chairman of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County.

Now is the time to question our leaders

Regarding the article “$25K bonuses, other resources for Pa. essential workers could be on the way”: Some would argue that this is not the time to speak up or question our leaders, but I believe now is exactly the time and our responsibility to do so.

I’m a lifelong independent, so I have no party affiliations. But I constantly see President Trump criticized while other politicians’ actions — or lack thereof — go unchallenged. Casey’s plan is politics at its worst, as no amount of money changes the risks those on the frontlines face fighting covid-19.

Should we pay our military personnel an extra $25,000 every time they are sent to war? Those brave men and women realize this is what they signed up for. Too many governors and especially hospital administrators have failed to stockpile basic protective gear, while administrators planted their flags on every new hospital building they could build. Shameful and irresponsible.

Everyone should expect a whopping increase in their insurance premiums next enrollment period. The political pigotry, I can assure you, will prove to be as deadly and/or detrimental as the virus itself. Accountability should always be at the forefront of any problem of this nature so as to keep us truly safe.

Rob DiSanti, O’Hara

Keep prisoners in prison

Open up our jails because of covid-19 (“Gov. Wolf approves release of up to 1,800 inmates amid coronavirus concerns”)? Why? How does this make any sense? Those in charge need to think this over and rethink this. Prisoners are in jail for a reason.

We have family members and friends and neighbors in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. — no fault of their own. These dear souls, all elderly, aren’t allowed any visitors. Some are dying of natural causes, and their family members aren’t allowed to hug them, love them and hold their hands. These facilities have had some cases — are we letting/chasing all those elderly people out? They probably do have places to live, possibly with family members or friends who would take good care of them.

Where will these inmates go? Will they be homeless? Will they stay crime free? Will they be out on the streets or in our parks (where many people go for fresh air and a safe, healthy environment), or congregating elsewhere with other released convicts?

Tell me and other citizens staying home and staying safe how this helps. The rest of our society is staying put. The incarcerated need to stay in jails. That’s probably safest, health-wise, for all concerned.

Marianne Caruso, Penn Township, Westmoreland County

Safer ways to exercise religious freedom

I would like to thank those who choose to exercise their religious freedom by attending services at their church. Thank you for potentially exposing yourselves to covid-19 and possibly passing it on to family, friends, co-workers and others. Thank you for likely extending stay-at-home orders and increasing the number of those infected and those who die from it. I’m sure their loved ones also will like to thank you for your ignorance.

It is ignorance. There are other ways to exercise your freedom of religion — services can be held over the phone or internet; recordings can be made to view later. Granted, it is not the same as sitting in a pew with fellow believers, but it is appropriate considering the crisis. Being asked not to meet in large groups to slow the spread of a deadly virus is not religious persecution. It is a way to express the self-sacrificing love Jesus Christ commanded all his followers to display.

If you insist on putting your butt in a pew, please, I beg you, protect the rest of us by self-quarantine.

Melissa Johns, Latrobe