Sounding off: Masks as campaign gimmick is insulting

During this viral catastrophe, our recognized heroes have been nurses, doctors, first responders, delivery people and many, many others who brave the danger of infection to help and protect us all. Also included on that list are the millions of Americans who are practicing social distancing and wearing masks when they are in contact with others. Nowhere on that list do I see a politician.

I recently read President Trump’s reelection campaign has ordered red face masks emblazoned with his mantra: “Make America Great Again.” I am angry and offended masks might now be manufactured and used as a campaign gimmick designed to attract voters. I am saddened our president and his entourage think so little of the American public that they would use this heroic symbol to try and garner votes. This is pathetic and insulting.

See you at the ballot box.

Oren Hilty, Rostraver

Primary mail-in voting is a great dry run

After hearing Rich Fitzgerald’s announcement that Allegheny County would try to send mail-in ballots to every registered voter (“Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald calls for primary election to be conducted by mail”), I heard the backlash of those opposing such a move, mostly those fearing fraudulent voting as a reason. I say it’s the perfect time for an all-mail-in voting. It could be looked at as a dry run for future emergencies during voting times.

• There is no competition now for the nomination for president in either party.

• It’s a primary election for candidates; they still have to run in the general election.

• Campaigning today isn’t done like it used to be, so voters won’t be swayed that much.

• There won’t be problems staffing the election polls, particularly for older election officers.

• Coronavirus spread will be held in check.

• Actually counting ballots can be overseen easily by all parties.

• Recounting can be done easily if a race is particularly close or if it is challenged.

• It is a great paper trail.

• Following the election, the all-mail-in balloting can be analyzed for fraud because everyone’s ballot is there.

Go for it!

Richard Patton, Franklin Township, Beaver County

China is serious threat to US

Letter-writer David Bastl reasonably indicated that “China is our enemy.” I would consider China to be a serious threat to the United States.

Consider the following headlines from various sources from 2018 to the present:

“With Ships and Missiles, China Is Ready to Challenge U.S. Navy in Pacific”

“China Commissions 2nd Aircraft Carrier, Challenging U.S. Dominance”

“Chinese aircraft carrier sailed past Taiwan over the weekend in a show of strength as the U.S. Navy struggles with Coronavirus”

“Coronavirus Drives the U.S. and China Deeper into Global Power Struggle”

“President Donald Trump and some of his officials are flirting with an outlier theory that the new Coronavirus was set loose on the world by a Chinese lab that let it escape”

“Coronavirus Spurs U.S. Efforts to End China’s Chokehold on Drugs”

“Chinese to buy pork giant Smithfield; $7.1B deal with firm is country’s biggest U.S. takeover”

“Smithfield temporarily shuts pork plant after 80-plus employees contract Coronavirus”

To put the above into perspective, we know that:

• China has shown no inclination to help control the pandemic, which by all indications had its origin in China.

• China has a huge, powerful military, with more than five aircraft carriers designed for battle, not to haul freight.

• China as a major source of medication jeopardizes our health care.

• China has a large population that consumes more food than can be produce internally; the U.S. is the world’s largest food producer.

I’d urge President Trump and Congress to “connect the dots” and deal with the threat posed by China.

Wayne Baughman, Salem

Gov. Tom Wolf is protecting Pennsylvanians

In response to the letter “Disappointed in Wolf’s veto”: There has be no such anger or vitriol from Democrats in regards to matters related to covid-19. This letter perpetuates a false narrative that Democrats and Gov. Tom Wolf are against working families and want to stifle economic prosperity for Pennsylvanians. This could not be further from the truth.

Why are Senate Republicans pushing for bills like Senate bill 613 before we have sufficient statewide testing and enough personal protective equipment for our workers? Working-class Pennsylvanians do not buy homes, cars or salon services during a pandemic. Republicans are desperate for businesses to resume such operations to drive profits, get furloughed workers off benefits and cushion their reelections.

We must remain vigilant and put our workers’ health and safety above all else. By vetoing Bill 613, Wolf has done just that.

Sarah Skidmore, Greensburg

Government shouldn’t keep us from church

I am very disappointed in our government for making what I believe are unconstitutional regulations that have prevented Christians from attending services. “The government shall pass no laws infringing on the practice of any religion.”

The regulations imposed on Pennsylvania have prevented members of churches from congregating as a “congregation.” I am more disappointed that Christians have stayed away from the house of God.

Christianity was built on the blood of Jesus on the cross and the blood of the apostles and the holy martyrs. They died for Jesus so we could bow down and worship him today in the church that Jesus started over 2,000 years ago. Have the martyrs for Christ and the sons and daughters of the revolution died in vain?

When will we tell the government that we are not prisoners to be locked up for a crime we have not committed? When are Christians going to go to church on Sunday and demand the doors be unlocked so they can ask God to save us? No one is forced to go to church, but many are forced not to go.

Are we afraid to be “Christians”? I do not know, but the martyrs entered the arena knowing they would be killed because they believed. Will you come to church because you believe?

Jesus started the church, and no governor should keep us from attending it. The Lord’s day is Sunday, and no man can change that. “God, family, country!”

The Rev. Tony Joseph, Johnstown

County commissioners need to take a stand

The stated goal and intent of the lockdown and stay-at-home order was to “flatten the curve” and prevent hospitals and the medical system from being overwhelmed. The number of new cases over the last several weeks in our region clearly demonstrate that has occurred.

When a nationally renowned doctor at UPMC says it’s time to reopen Allegheny County (Dr. Alan Wells, speaking to KDKA’s Andy Sheehan on April 27), I trust him more than Gov. Tom Wolf. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald needs to grow a spine and lead a coalition of county commissioners from Western Pennsylvania to collectively tell the governor we are all reopening on May 15 with or without his blessing, and if he tries to stop us, we’ll see him in court.

Our leaders were elected to serve the interests of their constituents, and it’s obvious to me and many others that the continued lockdown is no longer in the best interests of the vast majority of citizens in Western Pennsylvania. What say you, Fitzgerald and county commissioners? The ball is in your court.

Jeff Hoener, Swissvale

Gov. Wolf, open Pennsylvania

Gov. Wolf: Open up this state — not bit by bit or by throwing us a few scraps of freedom here and there so it ends up dragging on for months, but everything. This has gone well beyond “flattening the curve.” Get over your thrill of power or your Trump hatred or your over-inflated self-importance or whatever it is that makes you want to disregard our rights. Open up this state!

Thomas Wagner, Murrysville