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Whatever it takes should be done to curb COVID-19 spread

About 40% of the more than 146,000 Americans killed by COVID-19 have been residents of nursing homes. Somehow, despite knowing older people with pre-existing health conditions are most vulnerable to the virus, we as a nation allowed that to happen. Many of the deaths occurred during the early weeks of the epidemic, before the need for extraordinary long-term care safeguards was apparent. Many others were the result of wrongheaded action by public officials. For a few days, it seemed as if COVID-19 was on the run in the United States. Then, millions of people suffering from ...

School resource officer programs should continue

Calls for change in law enforcement range from those demanding that police departments be virtually disbanded to others insisting on better training for officers and more accountability for the few rogues among them. Common to most reform proposals is that law enforcement personnel be more engaged in constructive relationships with their communities. But many police officers and sheriffs’ deputies have been doing just that for many years — and, incredibly, some are calling for those initiatives to be abandoned. Such involvement goes by various names. Perhaps the most ...

Higher education must be aware of COVID changes

Many U.S. colleges and universities are preparing to reopen for the fall semester, with in-person classes scheduled widely. It is understandable that many students, parents and college officials are on edge. Science is on their side in a way. COVID-19 seems to be most dangerous for older people with pre-existing medical conditions. Younger people can contract the virus, but many demonstrate few, if any, symptoms. It is unlikely, then, that college campuses will become killing fields. A wakeup call may be necessary for many younger people, however. They are not safe. Well over 10% ...

Congress must act on relief package

Debate over a new coronavirus relief package continues in Congress and at the White House. Disagreements are both legitimate and political, but one thing ought to be obvious to all involved: Millions of Americans will be in very real financial trouble if a deal is not achieved quickly. Outlines of the proposal call for it to include $1 trillion in aid to individuals, families, companies, organizations and local and state governments, including public schools. Agreement seems to end there, however. One important, essential act by Congress need not involve appropriating more money. ...

Local budget processes raise taxing challenge

Local governments and schools are beginning to draft and release preliminary budgets for next year, and the process isn’t without its challenges. Counties, cities, parks and schools all have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The changes occurring in the oil industry also will affect revenue for many of these entities in the coming year. While holding the line on property taxes will be difficult, it is particularly important at this time to do so, given the difficulties and uncertainties facing businesses and residents during this pandemic. Minot Public Schools is looking ...

COVID-19 not the only health threat

It appears some villains in the insect world may owe the COVID-19 virus a debt of gratitude. The coronavirus has distracted public attention from them — and siphoned off public health resources. Mosquito control is a task normally undertaken by about half the public health departments in the United States, The Associated Press reports. But their resources both in money and personnel are being taxed this year by the COVID-19 epidemic. Even before the coronavirus struck, many public health agencies have been “underfunded and without adequate resources” for many years, the AP ...