Letters: Masking rules apply to all; Protesters’ anger is misdirected

Masking rules apply to all

Why weren’t you wearing a mask the day I visited these local businesses this past week? I made a few quick trips to businesses in Bellefonte, Weis Markets, Lykens Market and Triangle Building Supplies. I was irked to see numerous employees working without face masks. These people were stocking shelves, prepping fresh food, butchering and collecting money at the registers. Adding to my distress were the number of customers entering these stores not wearing a mask!

Thank you to the customers that do take these recommendations seriously and are wearing masks conscientiously. Thankfully some stores, like Trader Joe’s and Walmart, began implementing strict sanitizing and distancing protocols the week before. Thank heavens the Pennsylvania Health Secretary, Dr. Levine, has stepped up the game as of Sunday evening, implementing more specific disease control measures of social distancing, mitigation and cleaning protocols to protect workers and thus the public.

Earlier in April we were politely asked to wear masks and observe social distancing. Now we are being told to comply. No mask, no entry. Everyone is to wear a mask, not so much to protect yourself, as to protect others. How important is someone else’s life to you, especially if it were a friend or a loved one?

Protesters’ anger is misdirected

As a previous Pennsylvania resident sitting here in Florida and watching “reopen America protesters,” it makes me sad to see so many misdirected people. Now this has come to Pennsylvania and I wish to point out something to these protesters. They are mad at and protesting the wrong people as usual.

It is not Gov. Tom Wolf who precipitated the lockdown. It is the inaction of Trump and his administration that requires these lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19 and to mitigate the Trump pandemic.

If Trump had acted on intelligence provided to NATO in November 2019 and had not eliminated the National Security Council’s pandemic response team, we would have instituted remedial actions earlier and would now be coming out of this horrible situation and we could be in the final stages of recovery, thus no need for protests and Trump would have actually done something right.

Instead Trump became the king of wishful thinking (love that song) and screwed this up as usual. There is a reason he has been a serial business failure – he was in charge. Every time he opens his mouth, he makes things worse and extends the lockdown period.

I say to these protesters, determine where your anger originated and be more discerning when it is time to vote this November. Hint: Vote for the smart people

Penn State alumni election as easy as 1,2,3

This year’s Penn State alumni election is underway. All alums of Penn State, no matter how many years you were a student, are eligible to vote for no more than three candidates. Now more than ever, we need to elect trustees who are experienced and ready to support the university in these troubled times.

That’s why I am supporting:

1. Anthony Lubrano

2. Jay Paterno

3. Dr. Alice Pope

Your vote is very important and they are 1,2,3 on the ballot. If you did not receive a ballot on your email address call the alumni office at 866-307-0041. Thank you so much.