Letters: Get tested on National Hepatitis Screening Day; False promises
Get tested on National Hepatitis Screening Day
The month of May is National Hepatitis Awareness month. TruCare Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases located in DuBois and State College would like to invite the community to our offices this Tuesday, May 19 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. for free Hepatitis C screening, light refreshments and prize giveaways. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There are vaccines for both Hepatitis A and B, and though there is no vaccine yet, Hepatitis C is curable. The CDC recommends that all adults ages 18 and older get tested at least once in their life for Hepatitis C (HCV), with those at high risk every six months. HCV risk factors include drug use, multiple sexual partners, infected razors and toothbrushes, as well as other contaminated household products. Testing is important, as often times there are no symptoms until live damage is severe. TruCare Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases offer free rapid screening for HCV during normal office hours. In recognition of National Hepatitis Screening Day we will be offering the free screenings along with light refreshments and giveaways on Tuesday, May 19 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Our State College office is located at 403 S. Allen St., Suite 209. Results will be given within 20 minutes. Please call our office with any questions on this or other services we provide: 814-325-7433.
Jennifer Brantner, State College
False promises
Many Americans supported Donald Trump because they believed his promise to avoid foreign entanglements and improve everyday life at home. Instead, many families are facing rising costs, growing economic uncertainty, and fears that aggressive tariffs could push inflation even higher. Global instability — including threats to critical oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz — only adds to those pressures.
Even more troubling is the growing possibility that young Americans could once again be drawn into war —despite Trump’s repeated promises to keep the United States out of foreign conflicts. None of this should come as a surprise. Trump has a long history of saying whatever benefits him politically, regardless of whether it benefits the American people.
Meanwhile, concern is growing across the political spectrum about the influence of extreme wealth on government. When policies favor billionaires and large corporations while ordinary workers struggle with wages, healthcare costs and retirement security, public trust erodes. Trump has shown little hesitation about aligning himself with wealthy elites while personally profiting from political power on a scale unprecedented in modern American history.
Millions of hardworking Americans are trying to make ends meet while the wealthy grow even wealthier. Too often, corporations maximize profits by shortchanging workers whose labor makes those profits possible. That imbalance is neither healthy nor sustainable.
This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It is an issue of accountability and fairness. A healthy democracy depends on an economy and government that work for everyone — not just those already at the top.
Doug Keith, State College
Keystone Indivisible endorses Bilger
Keystone Indivisible is proud to announce our official endorsement of Ray Bilger to represent Pennsylvania’s 15th District in the U.S. Congress. At our monthly meeting on May 12, over 95% of attendees voted to endorse Ray, citing his deep knowledge of global risks and his record as a capable, experienced leader.
Ray is a veteran and stalwart advocate for democracy; he has tirelessly traveled the length and breadth of the district, listening to voters. During our recent Q&A, Ray outlined a bold platform focused on advancing Pennsylvanian’s interests, asserting Congressional oversight, and holding corrupt actors accountable.
For our district, one of the poorest in the nation, Ray has comprehensive plans to tackle poverty through the Infrastructure Act — bringing high-tech jobs, expanding broadband and improving highways — while ensuring strict “good neighbor” regulations for AI data centers. Ray is also a fierce advocate for personal freedoms, stands against barriers to voting, and supports compassionate immigration reform.
We encourage voters to learn more at bilgerforcongress.com. Please remember that the PA Primary Election is this Tuesday, May 19, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Democrats will find Ray uncontested on their primary ballot, and Republicans can write in his name on theirs! We look forward to supporting him in the General Election on Nov. 3.
Suzanne Weinstein, Benner Township and Christine Warner, State College. The authors are members of the Keystone Indivisible steering committee.