Deborah Simmons — Life As It Happens
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Schools, politicians and parents just blame it all on COVID-19
School districts across the land have scrapped the fourth academic quarter, which means whether you have a child who earned all A's or dropped out, it really doesn't matter. Blame it on COVID-19.
Best D.C. defense against the coronavirus
The best defense against COVID-19 is, well, a great offense. Until Thursday, the Bowser administration was seemingly moving in that direction, giving the media and public lengthy daily briefings on how the nation's capital is positioned to take on the coronavirus.
South Korea proves where there's a will, there's a way
A huge thank you is due to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and his wife, Yumi. Thanks to them, South Korea jetted 500,000 coronavirus tests to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Sunday.
Will every vote count and be counted?
There are two questions, at the very least, that voters must consider before they vote: Who are the candidates and will every vote be counted?
Chicken soup elixir for coronavirus
Know what we need? What is the global citizenry really calling out for? Chicken soup for all our souls -- the elixir for thousands and thousands of years. From colds and flus to innumerable discomforts and the blues, chicken soup has been "prescribed" as a comfort food and a cure all.
Words matter in fight against coronavirus
Here we are, amending our liberties and those of our children, while others put us at risk by trashing parking lots and sidewalks with disposable gloves and face covering. We've even added three new words to our daily lexicon to go along with our new fashion statements, personal protection equipment, which we've dubbed PPE for short.
Zoom in on Zoom and online security, parents
Do not assume. Do not assume.Never assume your children are safe while online. The warning is particularly dire as school systems across the country are closed because of COVID-19 and utilize Zoom and other online video-conferencing apps for distance learning.
Make America's infrastructure great again
President Trump has been urging us to rebuild America's infrastructure for years, and Democrats, who love to play spending charades, are latching on.
Don't let coronavirus pivot squander liberty
That our civil liberties are in a noose is truly dismaying, although it was bound to happen because some yo-yos don't follow the rules, as we saw during spring break.
Young people need coronavirus message they can understand
We need to reach young people by deploying the right messengers and sending the right messages. As things stand now, they probably think COVID-19 is an "old people's disease," because that's the messaging.
Localities shouldn't have to wait for federal authority during coronavirus pandemic
The U.S. Constitution is clear: Whatever powers are not clearly designated to federal authority rest with the states. Yet while we anticipate and criticize every word President Trump relays about coronavirus process, his critics wag a finger.
During coronavirus scare, pay attention to what matters
It's time for deep breathing and counting down to, say, at least April 13, the day after Easter. Like pressure cookers, the COVID-19 whistles are blaring.
Coronavirus scammers, fraudsters put on notice
The FTC and FDA warning letters followed shots across the nonpartisan bow at Attorney General Bill Barr from the lobby group Consumer Brands Association, which urged the Justice Department to stop retailers from jacking up the prices for hand sanitizer, masks and other products essential to the battle against the coronavirus.
Baltimore's Inner Harbor must shine 'in full glory'
Baltimore's twin crown jewels, Harborplace and the Inner Harbor, need polishing -- and not by merely saving and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay either.
Charles Allen, D.C. lawmaker, one-ups Bernie Sanders, other socialists
D.C. Council member Charles Allen on Tuesday plans to mitigate the problem with his Metro for DC Amendment Act 2020. Its goal is to get more motorists off the roads by putting their butts in seats on Metrobus and Metrorail with $100 in free rides every month. Now, this might be construed as a novel approach, but it is not. Free mass transit is a trend, and trends like free love, free sex and Medicare for All always come with a price tag.
Battling the coronavirus with science and common sense
Enter the cold-and-flu season, and expect the worst. Add COVID-19, or the coronavirus, and expect a reset. Do not panic, though. Use common sense.
Metro ponders rate hikes, bus cuts, late-night rail service
Officials with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority might finally be facing reality: Metro cannot meet all transit needs most of the time.
Don't push history into the dark shadows
What do official Washington and City Hall think of Spingarn these days? Not much.
Nancy Pelosi wants to design your school, but not do laundry
And now words of caution: The federal government is coming to help you pay for new schoolhouses and renovations. This, courtesy of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has no children attending public schools and who can afford to send her grandchildren to the private or parochial of their parents' choosing.
Kimberly Klacik vs. Kweisi Mfume in battle for Maryland's 7th Congressional District
Kweisi Mfume's politics are as progressive as Kimberly Klacik's are pro-Trump, which helps to explain why the 7th District, which includes parts of the city of Baltimore and parts of Baltimore and Howard counties, likes her, too.
