/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LGY2WF4NSVFJ7J2GEUMNQWIKZU.JPG "Bartender Katherine Tiamtisak, 25, cheers along with fans at Glory Days Grill in Brandon after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday to head to the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.")
Glory days here again | Photo, Jan. 25
Plenty of fans but nary a mask
This picture of the bar crowd celebrating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory and trip to the Super Bowl demonstrates why we have trouble combating COVID-19. There are no masks to be seen. We will never know how many cases will come from the crowd. But until people realize it is a deadly disease and take basic safeguards or until there are consequences for such gross violations of common sense, we are doomed to drag the fight on and on.
Jack Summers, Sun City Center
Virus closes Pinellas flight tower | Jan. 25
What a bunch of Covidiots
Just beneath an article about the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport’s air traffic control tower being shut down due to the coronavirus ran a photo of a packed bar in Brandon with one mask among them. I am sick of doing my part while people I call “covidiots” ignore public health. President Joe Biden said this is a national emergency and we have to start acting like it.
Terrence Callahan, Crystal Beach
Epilogue | Jan. 25
Take precautions, please
As a health care provider in this community, I pondered the dramatic irony of a photo of a bar full of celebrating, unmasked people just above the obituary of a 68-year-old local business owner who died of COVID-19 and pneumonia. (I am an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Certified.) I wish all those folks, and their family members, enjoying the Bucs’ victory good health. Wear masks, keep your distance, wash your hands, and get the vaccine when you can.
Anne Conklin, Bradenton
House sending Trump impeachment to Senate, GOP opposes trial | Jan. 25
Duty is not ‘stupid’
Invoking the constitutional processes of trial and conviction for former President Donald Trump is not “stupid,” as Sen. Marco Rubio asserts. Trump fomented a lawless insurrection. As a nation, we have many challenges; as a senator, Rubio’s job is to be able to address more than one at a time.
Margaret Bryant, Sarasota
Home run king | Obituary, Jan. 23
A hero and great American
Hank Aaron, like Jackie Robinson, received death threats and overcame vicious, hateful racism. Very few of us can even imagine what it would be like to receive death threats for showing up to work every day and doing our job. And yet, Mr. Aaron never complained and was able to excel on the field and throughout his entire life. A truly extraordinary man.
Neil Armstrong, Tampa
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Xw05FZKNtWP8fFIKrtFX5M8y4OA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3CIZ53W7CZP4SJTVCLIMMZLYCM.jpg "Will Trump supporters protest? Muted response so far raises doubts.")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/7eYYNJEi1SbEpFCWikZVQbe_kBU=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TVZ4DNFQDNFUHIN36NMIUKZDXE.jpg "Ex-Lightning forward, fan favorite Ondrej Palat returns to Tampa with Devils")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7ZPSAB3LBFFSJMDJC5G5YX2B3Y.JPG "This bipartisan bill in Congress would help Florida tackle harmful algal blooms | Column")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3H37Y64UBOV2LJFRZBOWCO44VQ.jpg "I may be no ‘expert,’ but I know something about teaching | Letters")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZCWMQWZA2RETRA6KAIUD3MMK3E.jpg "Editorial Cartoons for Tuesday from Times Wire Services")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OUZJ2COMTVIQB3EBZSAP6YUYG4.jpg "Let’s put Florida’s right to clean water in the state constitution | Column")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2DUANKRLFQVPERE6SBTLX3GNSI.jpg "Dear Florida legislators, we need solutions before the next hurricane | Column")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KDW6KBXOHYY4WHW7Y7CIQOGZFY.jpg "Stop suspending driver’s license for non-payment of fines | Letters")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XREKIUY3UBBXVAY2DYJROM3QB4.jpg "Editorial Cartoons for Monday from Times Wire Services")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PHJ2QXUSACCBX2KOBTR5QWGTNM.jpg "I’m glad my 3 kids went to college in Florida before Gov. DeSantis intervened | Letters")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/36A4Z4EI3FFKHKU4WJH5C6YY34.jpeg "Here’s what to read from the left and the right | Column")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/A4NIPP6GPEOH6EFQKEEFB5TUXU.jpg "Can we do something about Florida drivers who don’t use turn signals? | Editorial")