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America’s Dangerous Dependence On China Must End

The coronavirus epidemic that’s crashing the U.S. economy, putting lives at risk and derailing our entire way of life should serve as a wake-up call that the U.S. government must stop being reliant on China and other foreign nations for prescription drugs, medical supplies or any supply chain product or ingredient that’s essential to our survival. It’s also a matter of national security. If members of the U.S. military and those who support our armed services don’t get access to PPE (personal protective equipment), life-saving drugs and other necessities during a pandemic — ...

The Good Life: Better ‘Denny Biscuit’ Than ‘Denny Doggie Snack’

Dogs follow me. They are not impressed with my amiable disposition or my geezer-cute looks. It’s the biscuits. I almost always carry dog biscuits. Because I do, our Lab-sized, elderly dogs, Ralph and Buddy, pay attention to what I say. Without a word from me, other dogs sense a snack is walking nearby. During our winter sojourn in the Florida Panhandle, that ability mesmerized dogs whenever I walked through the downtown sector. “Come back here!” owners would demand. Tails wagging, ears flopped forward, dogs would come “there,” to where I and my dog biscuits ...

Canine Companion: Dog’s Routine May Have Changed

I hope you are staying happy and healthy during this pandemic. Don’t forget, nature is not closed. Go out into the fresh air, and take a stroll through the woods with your pup, even if it’s only through your backyard. I know there are quite a few people who are at home teaching lessons to their children. If you are off work, you probably still don’t have much time on your hands with everything that’s going on. Thank you for taking the time to read my column today. Since we at home, and nearly everything is closed, I think we should use today’s time to discuss separation ...

Not This Grandma

My, these aging men with their bright ideas. First, it was the president, who has been openly contradicting medical experts with his pining for an early end to social distancing. This would threaten the lives of millions of Americans during the pandemic. Oh, well. As he said, via tweet and at the microphone, “We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.” Every time he says that, I can’t help feeling that women like me — over 60 and eternally over him — are on his checklist of things that can go. It’s not sitting well, I have to tell you. Texas Lt. Gov. ...

Managing A Disaster… If It Is One

I’m not sure whether COVID-19, first identified in Wuhan, China, in the U.S. qualifies as a true disaster. Putting the disease in perspective, we might look at current influenza illnesses. According to Centers for Disease Control estimates, between Oct. 1, 2019, and March 14, 2020, there have been 390,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations as a result of the flu, 38,000,000 to 54,000,000 flu illnesses and 23,000 to 59,000 flu deaths. That’s compared with, as of March 27, a total of 85,356 cases of COVID-19 resulting in the deaths of 1,246 people. But let’s agree that COVID-19 is a ...

COVID-19 Can Be A Catalyst For Change In New York State

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed our lives. I know this is an obvious statement. But it has also dramatically changed the public finances of government in New York State. In addition to the unprecedented amount of money and resources that are being expended to combat this virus and manage the impact, it also means that revenues that the state receives, through taxes and fees, will also be negatively impacted in a very dramatic way. The governor has stated that we will have to revisit the budget and make adjustments as the fiscal year progresses, depending on how revenues are ...