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Fungus among us must be guarded against

In this space last weekend, the Mirror editorialized that it still is too early for people to let their guard down regarding COVID-19. That editorial noted the existence of many unanswered questions regarding the origin of the coronavirus and troubling uncertainties about what might lie ahead, specifically ill effects from COVID-19 that might remain long into the future. Unfortunately, now there is another serious scare evolving on the health front. This new scare is not new; it’s been lingering predominantly below the public “radar” in this country since 2009, when it was ...

Blood-alcohol level forum good thought

Like other Pennsylvania counties, Blair has had more than its share of drunken-driving incidents and arrests. And, this county has not been without DUI-related fatalities. As a way of gauging public sentiment here about this much-too-frequently recurring problem, perhaps an exercise is in order, based on what is happening in a handful of states across the nation. Even if nothing results directly from that exercise, people here will have the satisfaction nonetheless of having had their voices heard on an issue that could result in any of them being innocent victims virtually anytime ...

Still too early to let guard down on COVID

For most Americans, including people of the Southern Alleghenies region — Blair, Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon and Fulton counties — life is returning slowly but steadily to the way it was prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Seeing a person wearing a mask is much less common, pessimism about COVID-19 is giving way to increased confidence that the battle against the prolonged scourge is on the verge of being won, and that refinements to the vaccines developed so far will continue to make a COVID resurgence by way of a deadly new variant much less ...

Addressing homeless dilemma

Praise is in order for Altoona City Council for its action — and its wide-ranging discussion — related to allocating $1 million in federal grant money to help address the local homelessness problem. Considering the scope of that Mountain City problem, it is but a small step, despite the cost, but it is an important one nonetheless. Specifically, the allocated money will be used by the Durbin Companies to construct a modular building with six two-bedroom apartments on a vacant lot on the 100 block of Lexington Avenue. Commendably, the Durbin family and its companies have been ...

Search for sunshine in ‘open society’

It’s been nearly 60 years since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act. The signing was done out of the view of the public, ironic considering a statement released with the passing of the bill noted Johnson signed it “with a deep sense of pride that the United States is an open society.” Turns out, Johnson’s hand was forced by a unanimous vote in Congress, which marked the end of a very interesting story into how the act — those in the biz call it FOIA, pronounced foy-ah — came into existence. Sunshine Week is observed March 12-18 across the ...

Food banks never run short on area needs

Numerous food pantries in the Southern Alleghenies region no doubt had experiences around the Christmas-New Year’s holiday season similar to what some of Blair County’s food banks encountered. “Holidays cheery for food banks” was the headline of a Jan. 2 Mirror article, followed by the message “Local pantries experiencing a merry season for donations.” “All in all, inflation has not hindered the generosity of community members and businesses toward these pantries, and they are all extremely grateful,” the article reported. “They are hoping the new year continues ...