Letters: Offer thanks during Teacher Appreciation Week; Abortion issue clouded telemedicine bill

Offer thanks during Teacher Appreciation Week

Mimeograph machines, filmstrip projectors, overhead projectors — what are those? To many colleagues I work with today these are unknown and certainly obsolete, but were vital tools used when I started teaching.

I began in Loudoun County Virginia, my salary $12,000 per year.

I waitressed on weekends to make ends meet.

Teaching then compared to teaching now is almost like a world away. Some of my colleagues cannot imagine a world without cellphones, emails, texting, computers, Google, etc.

Technology has certainly made a teacher’s life easier in many ways, however, in some ways it has added to the stress of a teacher. Imagine no emails from parents?

Today teachers receive countless emails and are now Zooming with their students.

In the past 37 years ( 25 of those in SCASD) my heart has been with each child that has entered my class. I have cried with children, prayed for children, and countless nights without sleep worrying about my students. These students have been my world and each one has made a lasting impact on my life.

Most teachers work at night, weekends, always working extra hours preparing lessons. The job of a teacher is not for the fainthearted.

It has been an honor to be a part of SCASD and I want to thank you for allowing me this incredible opportunity. Many special memories, and I am thankful to all I have met along this journey. Thank a teacher.

Abortion issue clouded telemedicine bill

I am writing in response to Taran Samarth’s letter to the editor on the telemedicine bill that Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed. I am not taking a position on abortion, but the FDA is very clear on who can prescribe Mifepristone, in what settings and the requirements for available medical care if a problem arises. It is also critical that the prescriber must be able to accurately date that day the pregnancy occurred before prescribing it. All of these guidelines are in place to protect the women’s health.

There are many other drugs that doctors will not prescribe without an in-person visit. The last time I checked the FDA approves all drugs for use as well as the guidelines which should be followed if prescribed. Therefore I don’t think Sen. Corman is ”hiding behind the FDA,” as they have the last word on these issues.

Another major reason I am writing this letter is that I feel the issue of abortion is influencing way too many decisions in our daily lives. The telemedicine bill is a prime example! If we can make a person’s doctor more readily available and reduce medical costs at the same time we should definitely get it done. Many of us face long wait times (weeks or months) to see our primary care physician. Many times the issue could be resolved with a tele-visit which would save his time, the patient’s time and make the doctor available to many more people.

Thompson’s priorities are off during crisis

Congressman G.T. Thompson would be well-served to spend time working with the SBA and Treasury to fix the problems with the PPP small business loans in the CARES Act that he supported. Working with a small business, I have learned that the act does little to help the businesses in greatest need (those under forced closure). Rather than fighting to correct this legislation, Thompson is working on legislation to help those in the grocery industry – which is currently one of the strongest and most secure businesses.

It is in times like these that we learn who are the real leaders. As a Republican, it is my hope that businesses and workers in his district will join forces to find candidates to run against Mr. Thompson in the next primary. As businesses fail in the coming months and people suffer the consequences of longer-term unemployment, we can remember the silence of Mr. Thompson on the matters that would make the greatest difference.