Mad Max

It is hard to Imagine a Seattle Councilwoman named Kshama Sawant helped protesters raid a Seattle neighborhood called Capitol Hill District and took over city hall and a police precinct and renamed it (CHAZ) Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. It was like out of the movie “Mad Max” – free food, speech, and free of police. Has America gone wild? What’s next? From COVID-19 to protests, riots, looting, and burning down businesses. Some say America is near a tipping point or “The New World Disorder ” is here. But wait when Election Day on November 3, 2020 comes, you are going to see Law and Disorder.

Orlando “Wildman” Perez 

Thank You,

First Responders

The people of this state, and or government, would like to thank its’ first responders for the selfless work and dedication in this national crisis. If not for the selfless dedication to helping us in our time of need, blah, blah, blah.

What a bunch of hooey.

I even saw a commercial on some TV station advertising for a first responder fund of some kind, not to mention the “Thank You” ads.

Well as I predicted in my last op-ed, it didn’t last long. For those who don’t remember, it read as follows:

“As a side note, I would like to salute all the first responders, doctors, nurses, and the rest of the people on the front line. The jobs you are doing are above and beyond.

However, you must enjoy the limelight while you can because this too will pass as the pandemic subsides. Remember after 911, how everybody was flying the American flag afterwards. Funny how public opinion changes.” 

In fact, it took no time at all, the virus hasn’t even gone away.

Some people seem to want to thank them soooo much that they will show their appreciation by setting things on fire, destroying property, and looting.

Who do you think responds to these fires and acts of violence, certainly not the thankful and grateful people. That’s right, it’s the first responders. The same ones that ran themselves ragged, and are still doing so in some places, for this COVID-19 thing, of which everyone seems to be so afraid. That’s who.

Yet we can’t seem to thank them enough.

We thank them by killing and injuring them. We thank them by putting their lives, and consequently, the lives of their families in danger.

Some of our representatives, (notice I did not say leaders), tie the hands of the police when dealing with rioters and looters, (notice I did not say protesters), threatening to defund or even abolish them.

We set things on fire, destroy property, loot, and even shoot and kill them.

Yes, if there is truly a way to say thank you, that’s it.

Joe Bayona

The Importance of Being Tested for COVID-19

The recent protest in Perth Amboy over the tragic death of George Floyd was peaceful and strove to correct injustices by some law enforcement officials in African American and Hispanic communities. It has grown to try to address other inequalities which lead to poverty, higher rates of illness, and a lower quality of education for those affected.

It is understandable that many want to add their voices to demand change. However, one concern is that during a pandemic, the protestors risk contracting the coronavirus and spreading it to their families and others in the wider community.

Perth Amboy is a hotspot for contracting Covid-19, in part because so many members of its population work in essential service industries such as healthcare, food, and warehouses. It may be wise for protesters of our city and others to self-quarantine and be tested for Covid-19, and thus reduce the spread.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, United States infectious disease expert, has said that the large crowds, even if they wear masks, could cause the contagion to flourish and infect others, especially by yelling.

Many public officials have called upon protestors in their communities to be tested for Covid-19 to help mitigate this.

Governor Philip Murphy of New Jersey has urged protestors to get tested, that “it is the responsible thing to do.” Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has set up 15 testing sites for Covid-19, specifically for protestors. Other legislators throughout the country have urged the same. Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. has said that she is concerned about a possible spike in cases as a result of the protests and has urged those who took part in them to consider self-isolating and being tested. Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark has urged all who protested as well as the police and anyone present, to be tested, as he himself was tested.

It is suggested that you contact your doctor or the Jewish Renaissance Center and explain the date that you may have been exposed. Because of the incubation period of the disease, it is important that they know when. The Jewish Renaissance Center provides tests to residents and those in the surrounding community. You need to call for an assessment and an appointment. By doing so, you may protect your health and that of others in the community. For to be able to fight for and enjoy liberty, we must protect our lives and those of others.

Marianne Zanko Komek