Opinion

Like so many of us, I've been spending a lot of my free time in one of three places — my kitchen, baking dinners more complex and time-consuming than I'd ever dream of in "real life" (my name for the days before COVID-19; in front of my television with a book in my lap; or on my computer or iPhone, scrolling news and social media...

Can I just say, and I don’t think I should need to but apparently I do, this is no time for either side of the aisle to be playing politics. Perhaps I’m just a ridiculous idealist but there is no room for partisan foolishness in the midst of a pandemic which is attacking a large portion of the word...

It's almost impossible to estimate the number of recent press releases and public statements that have began with phrases like "In these unprecedented times," "in these uncertain times" and "in these unprecedented and uncertain times." We can all feel the gravity of the coronavirus crisis weighing on our hearts with all its girth, but it's become clear that weight is bearing down on our community quite a bit more now that officials have confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dickinson and Clay counties...

We have all become acutely aware in the past few weeks why masks and face shields, respirators and ventilators are so important for hospital workers and their patients. The supply is not keeping up with the need, and that could have dire consequences for the doctors, nurses and patients...

Do you know what our biggest problem is? Let me tell you. Low prices cure low prices. At least that is how the market is supposed to work. Our problem however, is that COVID-19 short-circuits market signals disconnecting critical market forces so that despite low prices, consumers cannot access markets to take advantage of low prices offered them. ...

If your recent weeks have been anything like mine you've found yourself trying to juggle amid your regular duties all the public health ordinances as to what you should or shouldn't be doing. Scribes of the Jewish tradition would have needed to be familiar with a wealth of laws too, many of them pertaining to cleanliness and disease prevention...

I was trying to remember, while spending another Sunday afternoon at home, just how long our lives have been consumed by coronavirus. It feels like this "new normal" has transitioned to a time suspended; with days in amber and weeks on ice. I scrolled through our collective journal of memories, Facebook, and found the last post I made which had nothing to do with this time of unease...

I missed the actual quote, and the context in which it was said, but last week apparently the lieutenant governor of Texas, Dan Patrick, made some remarks on a cable news program regarding a grandparent sacrificing their life in exchange for the future life of a grandchild...

When U.S. Airways flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia airport in January 2009 piloted by Captain Chesley Sullenberger, "Sully," it was a nice day and he had every reason to expect that he would reach his destination. While my life was not in danger, I felt a little bit like Sully must have felt that morning in the past few weeks relative to the corn market. ...

As I think about the time and circumstances we find ourselves in today I am reminded of Psalm 121. “I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, The Lord ... he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
 from this time on and forevermore.”...

As a former oncology RN, my heart goes out to health care professionals on the front lines fighting the coronavirus pandemic across the country. I imagine this will be one of the most difficult challenges of their lives; I hope they get the support they so desperately need...

I would like to respond to my two "fan" letters in Tuesday's Daily Reporter written by Rick Steuben and Mary Marske as well as a personal letter from "a concerned citizen" with no return address. She, or he pulled no punches! "When are you going to quit writing these editorials that show your stupidity! I feel that you are more of a hypocrite with most of your 'Crew' thinkings. ...

The last few weeks have been difficult for our country, state and community. We have experienced a new virus spread throughout the world, enter the United States, travel to the Midwest, and make its way to our own county. Some of you may be returning home from winter locations. ...

As our nation’s governors ask the federal government for assistance, President Trump said “Not all governors have been appreciative of me,” and directed Vice President Pence not to call governors that have not been appreciative. In a televised press conference he said “I want them to be appreciative.” Will Trump ask for Pence’s resignation if he calls anyway?...

As elected and appointed officials throughout Clay County, we believe it is imperative to send a unified message to our communities regarding COVID-19, and provide as much support as possible to our health care leaders. First, we want you to know we meet electronically on a daily basis and share updates on what is happening in our communities, ask questions of our medical providers and provide support to one another. ...