Sounding off: On masks, noncompliance is selfish

Even during Pennsylvania’s red phase, what I witnessed in stores such as Walmart was incomprehensible. People would wear masks just to gain admittance, and then take them down to their necks. Only when ready to check out would many bother to put it back on. They were playing a dangerous game. Then there were those wearing masks with their noses exposed. We are now in the yellow phase and this baffling behavior is continuing.

What good is a mask wrapped around one’s neck, or having one’s nose exposed, if that person is unknowingly carrying the covid-19 virus and happens to cough or sneeze? The virus would spread. Sadly, some stores and employees don’t seem to care.

People being noncompliant might argue it is a matter of choice or an infringement on personal freedom. But that is being selfish. In view of what is at stake, the arrogance, ignorance and stupidity of being inconsiderate in putting others’ health and lives in jeopardy is amazing. We should simply be wearing our masks in stores, with our mouths and noses properly covered. It’s not about us. It’s mainly about other people.

Should coronavirus cases increase and the state goes back to red, with businesses forced to close — and possibly not reopen next time — it won’t be the government’s fault. We will have nobody to blame but ourselves.

Robin Rosewicz, Lower Burrell

Trump is best leader in time of crisis

I grew up in New York not too far from a guy named Donald J. Trump. New Yorkers are different; a little crude, overly aggressive and extremely hungry to get ahead. Maybe it’s the cost of living or heavy traffic that makes us impatient. Only a New Yorker will truly understand a New Yorker.

Is our president perfect? No, no president has been. Does he have an ego? Yes, but in a New York kind of way. Were some presidents more dignified or polished? Yes, but who got more accomplished? Trump has. Every 24 hours the world turns over on us. President Obama brought the Saul Alinsky enemies to our gate and the divisiveness of identity politics. Trump would’ve been awake at 3 a.m. when a Benghazi call came in. And, more importantly, he would’ve reacted.

Frank Sinatra sang, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” Yes, we have a real leader who is patriotic and puts America first. I’m embarrassed at what has happened to the New York values I grew up with. I have people say if the pandemic stops Trump, they’re for it. Liberals will lose because there can be no other choice, and Trump is leading the way.

Trump transformed from a TV reality show host and successful businessman to America’s best and most professional leader in a time of crisis. That’s what usually happens with leaders when the going gets tough. We ultimately get judged by how we handle adversity.

John Ventre, Hempfield

Uprising may be painful new beginning

The National Guard was sent in to control the uprising in Minneapolis, and cities across the country have joined in the protest and uprising against racial injustice and the inhumane treatment of black citizens at the hands of white law enforcement officers.

Yes, I am calling it an uprising, not a riot. An uprising starts because of extreme pressure and unfair conditions. It’s like a volcano that erupts with explosive force after years of pressure building up. That’s what’s happening in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and across the nation. After years of mistreatment by white racist police officers and years of living with and around racism and racist attitudes, eventually people will explode in anger and an uprising will result.

Unfortunately, an uprising is usually necessary to change laws that keep people oppressed, necessary to change the way people are treated. Watching George Floyd die with a white police officer’s knee on his neck and his hand so casually placed in his pocket, ignoring the pleas of a dying man, was too much for the people to take — hence the uprising.

Now the people are finally being heard and seen by the nation and the world. They’ve had enough of being oppressed and repressed.

We are witnessing the beginning of an ending of tolerating abuse and unfairness. We are watching the beginning of a new chapter for black citizens in Minnesota and across America. This is the birth of change: It’s hard labor, it’s painful, but it’s necessary to force better treatment, fairness and equality for all black people.

Robin Hammonds, Manchester

Now is the time to reduce Pa. Legislature

There is no better time to press politicians to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Why? Because currently the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, at 203 members, is the largest full-time state House in the country. Because the state budget is in turmoil from covid-19. Because in 2015, when House Bill 153 to reduce House membership to 151 was approved (but not passed into law in a subsequent year), the House Appropriations Committee estimated the reduction would save $10 million to $15 million per year.

Because our Republicans made the unforgivable decision not to inform their Democratic colleagues that a GOP member who had been in contact with Democrats on committees was covid-19-positive and working with them at a time when he could have been infectious. Because during that time some GOP House members were quietly quarantining, while others who knew about the quarantining were actively encouraging “end the lockdown” protests.

So much hypocrisy. Speaker Mike Turzai should be removed if he does not resign for this deception. His GOP colleagues do not deserve reelection. Redrawing voting districts fairly would reduce the number of members while helping to remove this human detritus.

All PA candidates need to be pressured about cost savings from a reduction. And any GOP candidates need to be pressed hard about their ethics.

Helen Sitler, Ligonier

Contrasts in America

Within the last week we have seen two contrasting sides of America. The first one deals with the George Floyd killing and the protests. Some are peaceful and legitimate. Many others are an excuse to vandalize, loot, burn businesses and a historical church, causing hundreds of millions in damages. Many anarchists hide from the police by blending in with the peaceful protesters and throw rocks, bottles, etc. at police and National Guard troops. Their goal seems to be to have fun, steal and burn, and tear down Americas’s democracy and Constitution.

The second is what made America the greatest country in the world. SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral to connect with the International Space Station. For the first time, a private company sent astronauts to space.

Contrast the anarchists (tearing down) with SpaceX’s brilliant, dedicated workers coming up with the technology (best in the world) to better America so she will remain the greatest.

China is licking its chops waiting in the wings to be No. 1. Like most great civilizations that fell in the past, destruction mostly came from within. Remember the Trojan Horse.

Paul Gernhardt, Delmont

Thanks to Gov. Wolf and company for responsible leadership

Thank you to Gov. Tom Wolf, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and Education Secretary Pedro Rivera for their leadership and their tough choices during these trying times.

The easier, and quite likely the more popular choice, would have been to keep Pennsylvania open. The more difficult choice was to rely on health care experts and forecasting data to guide the administration’s direction for our state.

Let’s not forget that Wolf did not act alone in taking drastic steps, such as closing schools, to slow the spread. On the national level, the Trump administration, along with governors across the country and across party lines, issued stay-at-home orders just the same. Because of those choices Wolf made, our hospitals were not overwhelmed in Pennsylvania as they were in other parts of the country and around the world. The curve was flattened. We are now seeing the gradual and responsible reopening of Pennsylvania.

I’m no expert on communicable diseases. I’m not interested in telling anyone what choices to make for themselves. But I am responsible for two young lives, one that only entered this world six short months ago. The worry is real to me. As much as I would have loved to have spent the last couple of months visiting with family and friends, there is no social outing and no errand that would be worth exposing myself and risking infection to my family.

Annie Briscoe, Washington Township, Westmoreland County

Standing with Black Lives Matter

This has been a difficult time for Americans. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others have the country reeling in pain and demanding justice and equity. I have to ask, “What is the role of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in responding to these events?”

Museums can be spaces of respite that celebrate the beauty and joy of humanity, but museums and their collections also reflect painful histories resulting from structural inequities. Arts organizations have to talk about these issues and how we live in a country that continues to privilege some, while systemically disenfranchising others. As we prepare for reopening to ensure the health and wellness of our staff and guests, we are also preparing for how The Westmoreland can serve as a space to have these difficult conversations openly and honestly using the framework of art.

While we are committed to diversifying our collection and temporary exhibitions to be more inclusive of the lived experiences that comprise the American experience, we realize that is not enough. We must reflect upon our institution’s own history in benefiting from and reinforcing inequitable power structures. We must be willing to facilitate an open dialogue and commit to the emotional labor of having these conversations. We must change our staff and board compositions and support black artists and businesses. We must stand with Black Lives Matter.

It is not going to be easy. We are going to make mistakes, but that is how we will learn and grow.

Anne Kraybill, Greensburg

The writer is director/CEO of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art.