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New Year’s resolutions and COVID-19

Are you one of the many people who make a New Year’s resolution? More important, are you one of those who keep the resolution all year? This year, more than ever, we should all share a “civil" resolution that we will keep through the upcoming year. For almost three years we have had to deal with COVID, but how we have dealt with it has varied. Some people have taken the threat of COVID seriously, while others think it is a hoax, and falling somewhere between these views are many people with mixed emotions on the whole situation. Of course, this makes for interesting ...

The New York Times’ editorial board stokes hatred, anti-Semitism

The New York Times full editorial board took the opportunity to attack Israel’s new, not fully formed as of yet, government. What is the basis for this unique action, given the nations around the world that the New York Times leaves unscathed? The New York Times editorial board does not like former Prime Minister Netanyahu making a comeback with a government that is right of center. Keep in mind that this so-called “right-wing” government will have at most a bare majority in the Knesset, the Parliament. By no means is this an overwhelming mandate. Israel will continue to ...

Have a happy and healthy holiday and new year

I recently found a Christmas card my grandparents received. Handwritten under the verse was a wish for them to have a happy and healthy new year. Healthy was underlined twice! That is not the usual wish we write when we send a greeting to friends and family wishing them a Happy New Year. So why the emphasis on health? My grandparents were born at the turn of the century. They saw firsthand the 1918 influenza pandemic which spread worldwide at the close of World War I. Here in the United States, it was first identified in military personnel during the spring of 1918. In the USA it ...

‘Tis the season to be thoughtful

December is a busy month for most due to the holidays with family gatherings, office parties, then end of the year festivities. However, some people may not stop and think how December is in the middle of cold and flu season. It is that time of year where we will feel obligated to go to gatherings, even if we are not feeling the best. This is not the year to be going out when you are under the weather. Let’s be honest, it is best, no matter what time of the year, to stay home if we are not feeling well. Especially since COVID is here to stay. This cold and flu season, though, there ...

There is always more we can do about crime in Pennsylvania

Reports of murders, robberies, car jackings and property destruction dominate headlines these days as Pennsylvania communities fall deeper into chaos and lawlessness. Federal statistics show violent crimes reported across the state increased in 2021, outpacing the national average. According to the 2022 State of Safety report, nearly half of Pennsylvanians say the COVID-19 pandemic affected their personal safety. It’s a trend that’s repeated in a survey my office recently distributed asking residents to describe their concerns about rising crime. Many told me they feel less safe ...

COVID-19 disinformation revisited

In his final official briefing to the nation, Dr. Anthony Fauci urged Americans to get vaccinated and boosted in preparation for the upcoming holidays and cold weather gatherings. Nevertheless, only one eighth of area residents are currently up to date with COVID-19 booster shots. Two reasons to support Dr. Fauci’s advice easily come to mind. First, many of us, acting out of empathy, want to slow the spread of COVID-19 among people whose immune systems are weakened. While there is no guarantee that staying caught up with COVID-19 vaccinations will keep us from testing positive, we do ...