LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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More COVID-19 testing, please

As we inch toward reopening our battered economy, we need to boost our testing capacity to make our reopening sustainable — to avoid a roller coaster of openings and closings of the economy. Due to the White House’s incompetence, the lethargy of the federal bureaucracy, and Congress’ failure to appropriate enough funds for testing, Washington has failed to take the lead on the testing front. We can’t afford to wait any longer for D.C. to get its act together.Gov. Tom Wolf should assemble a task force to determine which companies in the commonwealth can help boost testing production, and then commandeer those companies’ relevant functions through his Section 7301(f) emergency authority. Doing so will help save many Pennsylvanians’ lives and livelihoods.

Thomas Koenig, Oreland, tkoenig@princeton.edu

Pa. residents are hurting

Why is it that so many taxpayers who have now been unemployed for months have not received their unemployment benefits? Why is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania so delinquent to its residents? People work hard. Workers have paid their taxes on time. Workers have rights. Businesses has been forced to shut down and lay off America’s hardworking employees. Our state government has abandoned these people, as unemployed workers have not been paid the benefits promised. Come on, governor, make the bureaucracy of the state pay its workers. They have rent to pay. Where are you?

Michael Woloshin, Philadelphia

Prepaid mail-in ballots

We bring two concerns to Gov. Wolf: that Pennsylvania go to mail-in voting, as California has recently done, and that ballots come with stamped, self-addressed envelopes. Many college students, as well as less affluent voters, do not buy postage stamps. It also puts a financial burden, albeit a low 50 cents, on voting — but it is in effect a poll tax. What are you doing as governor to ensure the above happens? And what can we do to help effect this change statewide?

David Broida, cofounder, Democratic Jewish

Outreach PA, Bryn Mawr, dbroida@gmail.com

Thanks for staying on course

I have my criticisms of Gov. Wolf’s politics, but against significant pressure from some powerful forces, he has stuck with public health officials. While the decision to allow construction on Mariner East 2 to continue and to not close the Berks detention facility are bad decisions, considering what Scott Wagner would have done as governor, we owe Wolf gratitude for staying the course.

Nate Craig, Phoenixville

Executive order for liability immunity

Health-care workers (HCWs) don’t hesitate to put their personal health at risk to care for others. Many of us feel overworked and overwhelmed; some are practicing at or beyond our usual scope of practice. Cardiovascular care has been impacted by both mandated delays in elective testing/procedures, as well as patients’ delaying care based on their fear of COVID-19 at hospitals. We worry that some of these bad outcomes, beyond our control, will lead to unfair criticism. We asked Gov. Wolf to replace kind words with action — an Executive Order for Liability Immunity. When he finally issued an order, it fell short.

Wolf’s order excludes non-COVID-19 patients. But this crisis impacts the care of all patients, due to lack of available resources and access to care. We are not asking for blatant negligence to be overlooked; however, there will be many shades of gray following the pandemic. Thank our heroic workers by contacting Wolf and requesting improvement of his executive order, and asking your state senator to support State Sen. Michele Brooks’ Medical Liability Immunity legislation.

Dr. Andrew R. Waxler, president, Pennsylvania chapter, American College of Cardiology, West

Chester, awaxler@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Reopen real estate statewide

The hierarchy of needs has been redefined by Gov. Wolf, and shelter is no longer an important physiological need in Pennsylvania. Golf courses, beer distributors, and bicycle shops, however, are deemed “lifesustaining.” Consumers with the essential need to buy, sell, or rent a home for shelter are unreasonably prohibited by the governor. Real estate services are being conducted safely in 49 states. Licensed real estate professionals have adopted procedures to ensure that clients are safely able to secure shelter. We are not suggesting a return to “business as usual.” Using guidance from health officials, we are prepared to conduct business in a responsible and safe manner. Now is the time for Pennsylvania to end its unnecessary housing hardship.

Stephanie Biello, president, Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, Philadelphia

Wolf actions out of balance

Gov. Wolf has failed to balance the public health and economic health of our communities. The extended “stay at home” orders are unjustified. No hospitals are overrun. None are short PPE or ventilators. About 98% recover from the virus. One in five are estimated to have antibodies. Isolate the vulnerable. Allow people to decide what is in their best interest. If they choose to open businesses, you choose whether to patronize them. This government overreach is a direct assault on civil liberties. The economic fallout of Wolf’s overreach will far exceed the health fallout from the virus. With every business that closes permanently, we have Wolf to thank.

Eileen Haggerty, Phoenixville