Letters to the Editor for Jan. 16

‘Masks optional’ the wrong move in Centennial

In December, the current five-member majority of the Centennial School Board voted to end the mask requirement in schools. “Masks optional” became the new mantra. This vote occurred just before the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus started spreading.

At its regular meeting on Jan. 11, the board encountered concerns about this matter from a number of local residents, including one student, coupled with a plea from teachers to restore the mask mandate. These presenters, including a doctor and a pediatric occupational therapist, called attention to the current runaway increase of infections and hospitalizations in Bucks County. These speakers suggested that masks, vaccinations and boosters constituted the best line of defense to keep schools open.

The majority on the board would have none of it. And neither would several other residents. One person contended that COVID-19 was no more a cause for worry than a minor cold. Another suggested that masks don’t work and that people who wear them are unnecessarily fearful. Another predicted that the pandemic would end by spring.

None of the persons who spoke for “masks optional” actually wore one, even though the meeting room was an indoor space with approximately 50 people present.

Bucks County hospitals report that large majorities of those being treated for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, especially those receiving intensive care. Under the circumstances, the majority of the Centennial School Board must be judged derelict for ignoring its public health obligations and siding with its most poorly informed residents.

Daniel W. Crofts

Southampton

Mike Kelly’s hypocritical comment

The article in the Jan. 6 newspaper, “Confusion, Fear and Duty,” recalling the horrific events of the insurrection one year ago reminded me of how fragile our democracy truly is. What was particularly upsetting to me was the comment from Rep. Mike Kelly: “I would never have expected that, not in America.”

What did he expect when his own words and actions attempting to prevent certification of the election were an encouragement and inspiration to those who invaded the Capitol trying to keep the former president in office? Now he pretends to be so innocent when in fact, he is as guilty as any of those who have been arrested. What a hypocrite.

Joe Palmer

Holland

Last year was the deadliest year on record for gun violence in Pennsylvania. We shouldn’t have to live in fear every time we go to a mall, grocery store, or house of worship. There are evidence-based solutions our state legislators can enact that promote responsible gun ownership, protect law enforcement, and respect the Second Amendment.

A package of bills called the “Common Agenda to Prevent Gun Violence” has been introduced to increase public safety and save lives. House Bill 235 would require background checks on the sale or transfer of all firearms to keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not have them. HB 980 would require firearm owners to file a report to police if their weapons are lost or stolen so police can return missing firearms to their rightful owners and identify gun traffickers who continually “lose” weapons. HB 1903 would empower family members and law enforcement officers to petition a judge (if an individual is at risk of hurting himself or herself or others) to temporarily restrict their access to firearms so they can seek help without losing their firearm right permanently.

I urge my state representative, Shelby Labs, to co-sponsor the Common Agenda to Prevent Gun Violence bills.

Nik Lareau

Warrington

Mandatory reporting of lost/stolen firearms can’t be enforced

In a Jan. 8 letter to the editor, the author highlights the importance of reigning in the misuse of lost and stolen firearms.

What the author fails to mention — and what gun control proponents frequently fail to mention in their calls for legislation requiring the reporting of lost and stolen firearms — is that such a requirement is unenforceable in the face of the U.S. Supreme Court’s holding in Haynes v. United States, 390 U.S. 85 (1968).

Haynes was a convicted felon who was charged with failing to register a firearm under the 1934 National Firearms Act. As a felon, it was illegal for him to own or possess any firearms. The Supreme Court held that since he could not legally own a firearm, compelling him to register any firearm he possessed was impermissible because it required him to incriminate himself in the crime of illegally possessing a firearm.

In short, mandatory reporting of lost and stolen firearms — to the extent it requires the reporter to admit to a crime — won't pass Constitutional muster.

Jonathan S. Goldstein, Esq.

Hatfield

Pedestrians have a role to play on safe streets

The article by Peg Quann that appeared in the Jan. 11 issue of the newspaper was on target. My sympathy goes out to the Spitznas family as well as to the driver whose vehicle struck Mr. Spitznas. The actions being considered to upgrade safety on Sycamore Street in Newtown are all commendable.

I would add an additional mitigation effort — education of pedestrians to be observant of their surroundings. Too often I have observed people crossing a street, not looking for oncoming traffic while engaged in conversation.

On one occasion a person pushing a baby carriage, engaged in a telephone conversation, stepped off the curb without looking as a car was already entering the intersection. Fortunately no one was injured.

Please include a pedestrian education component to proposed safety upgrade efforts in Newtown.

Ron Ulinsky

Newtown

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Letters to the Editor for Jan. 16