Author: Contributing Editor Ohio Statehouse News LLC

The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools and many businesses across the nation.

Social distancing is a way of life now, while decorative face masks have set new fashion trends. I have mine adorned with The Ohio State Buckeyes.

The mainstream media has treated President Trump with blatant disrespect, and they seem to be cheering for the virus to wreak havoc on the economy during the daily press briefings.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proudly showed off her stash of ice cream while her district in San Francisco was in chaos.
But one thing is evident.

The party she leads has lost focus and does not appear to have the immediate best interest of people in mind. I believe she wants this virus to keep the nation shut down, and the economy to remain in the tank.

She and her party have held stimulus packages for ransom, and they now believe they can manipulate the outcome of the presidential election in their favor. Instead of helping the nation recover, she wants to help her own liberal agenda.

In their minds, the pandemic’s collateral damage is the last chance to defeat President Trump this November.

All other schemes and tactics failed miserably over the past three years.

The Democrats appear willing to allow the economy to crumble while people suffer massive job losses in hopes of taking over The White House.
If they can manipulate and change the rules, then they can sabotage the outcome of the election in their favor.

Prominent Democrats are all now pushing to change the rules to allow for mail-in voting this year. That’s absurd.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who said in February that the coronavirus was not a serious health threat, now says he doesn’t foresee a situation where citizens should be allowed to turn out in person to cast a vote.

Although he is touted as the best in health care, he is also considered by many to be a supporter of Hillary Clinton.

The sudden call to switch the rules and open the door to potential cheating is alarming.

Pelosi is proposing legislation in favor of “ballot harvesting.” Those two words are chilling enough.

It will permit any person to collect and turn in someone else’s ballot with little oversight of how many votes one person can gather. A scenario where a person harvests and turns in multiple tainted ballots to be counted is a real threat to democracy. And Democrats have a history of tinkering with ballots that suddenly appear from closets or trunks of cars when they are needed.

If they can hold fake impeachment hearings, fake Russia probes, a fake porn star fiasco and fake investigations into Trump’s life, they can produce a trillion votes for Joe Biden and scoot him into the Oval Office.

If that is not an option, there is talk from the Democrats to push back the election until the pandemic crisis is over. And who knows when that might be because Democrats don’t appear to want to allow people to go back to work.

They might want to delay the elections because Joe Biden, their presumptive nominee, cannot form a coherent sentence when he talks. By delaying the election, they could find a way to push him out of the way for another candidate.

His incoherent jabbering, combined with the sexual misconduct allegations from a former staffer that has come to light, have caused red flashing lights all over. However, the mainstream media have intentionally ignored the signals. Instead, they have opted to play as hypocritical cowards and not cover the scandal because it will only help Trump.

The election is six months away, and no one knows if the virus will be around when voters go to the ballot box.

People are permitted now to go the grocery store. Residents can go to Walmart and shop and are encouraged to adhere to guidelines.
But they can’t go vote? Democrats see this pandemic as an avenue to capture the White House. They are selfish and dangerous.

If some state leaders can allow abortion clinics to remain open, then all Americans should be permitted to vote for president without having their rights and votes harvested.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

Due to COVID 19 nearly 1.7 million Ohio school children are experiencing some form of distance learning at least until next school year.

According to an article in the Columbus Dispatch, learning can become even more difficult for disadvantaged children. The Ohio Education Association, the state’s largest teacher’s union said they supported Governor DeWine’s decision to close school building for the rest of the academic year but pointed out there will be challenges. “We’ll need time to assess the needs of all students — including students with special developmental needs; students with health challenges; and students whose circumstances deprive them of access to technology, adequate nutrition, or other essential supports — and work together to support them in the best way possible,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said.

Ohio Statehouse News asked Representative Don Jones, (R-Freeport) Chairman of the Primary and Secondary Education Committee about education challenges due to COVID 19, “Learning has not been ideal for a lot of kids due to lack of internet connectivity and time being away from school. The House will be getting back to work next week and these are the conversation that we are going to have.”

During a traditional school year educators and parents worry about summer slide. A blog posted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital states, “On average, kids lose a month or more of learning during the summer. The effect is cumulative, and worse for low-income families. By the time ninth grade rolls around, kids from low-income families can be two years behind and this can impact whether they earn a high school diploma or go to college.”

With students being removed from their traditional education environment in mid-March what will be the impact of COVID 19 slide?

An article in Education Week titled, Academically Speaking, the ‘COVID Slide’ Could Be a Lot Worse Than You Think provides insight.

A Study from Northwest Evaluation Association found:

Research on summer learning loss has found students can lose somewhere from two weeks to two months of academic growth over the summer. But NWEA’s projections suggest learning loss related to these closures would be anything but typical: If students return to school campuses in the fall without continuity of instruction during the closures, they could have retained only about 70 percent of their reading progress, compared to a normal year.

And math looks worse: Depending on the grade, students were projected to lose anywhere from half to all of their academic growth from the last year, compared to normal student growth.

“I think for some kids, this is going to be really traumatic. So, when we start to think about homelessness and food insecurity and all these other traumas, the variation in that slope is going to be, I think, potentially a more dramatic downfall.” said Tarasawa, the executive vice president for research at NWEA. “This isn’t meant to be doomsday; it’s meant to get people to think about the reality of what teachers are going to be facing at restart” of instruction.”

No doubt Ohio’s education system will need to address significant learning challenges when school restarts in the fall.

Representative Jones applauds the excellent work of educators. “Our schools have stepped up and done what was needed to ensure students continued to have access to healthy meals and education services. Most districts and schools have plans in place.” Jones concludes, “Programming will be important next year and a lot of it will depend on the direction the legislature receives from the Governor and his staff with regards to social distancing or distance learning. The legislature will work to ensure programming is available for all students.”

By Del Duduit

Ohio State Representative Brian Baldridge has a unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down most of the nation, including his state.

Baldridge, a Republican from Adams County, is not only a legislator in his first term, but he is also a firefighter and paramedic. He was a four-term county commissioner and was in office during the national economic downturn in 2008. His experience, he believes, will guide him to help his constituents get through this current situation.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was one of the first in the nation to shut down his state and is being credited with getting ahead of the virus that has spread all over the world.

But as a result, many people have had to close their businesses, and the numbers of people filing for unemployment have skyrocketed.

“This is certainly new territory,” he said on Good Friday. “But we did see how the economic recession in ‘08 affected our communities. For some, it was devastating. When we get past this, we know how to work with local governments to help them and better assist our citizens.”

Baldridge represents the 90th District, which includes all of Adams and Scioto and a portion of Lawrence County. He was appointed by the Ohio Speaker of the House to serve on the Economic Recovery Task Force and will examine ways to help Buckeyes get back on their feet as soon as possible.

“We will discuss the economy with business owners and leaders and find a new direction to help bring everyone together and help each other,” he said. “This is our opportunity to move forward to help local communities and businesses lift themselves out of this financial problem.”

From a first responder standpoint, Baldridge said he is more aware than ever about making sure he takes precautions to protect himself and his family and friends.

“This is a very serious time in our nation, state and community,” he added. “This pandemic has changed me and how I do business. I am more safety cautious, and I make sure that I don’t wear the same clothes I had on at the fire department at home. When I make my transition toward home, I disinfect and make sure I don’t bring anything potentially dangerous to anyone.”

Schools in the area remain closed, and students are either learning online or from their parents. One area Baldridge said he will focus on as soon as possible is to put an emphasis to make broadband available to all Ohioans.

“A lot of my district is rural, and there are some people who don’t have access to broadband,” he said. “A big portion of my district has people who are off the grid and cannot work at the same speed because of this, and it’s not a good situation. We don’t want anyone to fall behind because they don’t have broadband, especially students and people who are encouraged to work from home.”

School districts are doing all they can to ensure students have what they need to complete assigned work, he added, but they are limited if there is no broadband access.

“Many districts are providing hard copies to students, and that’s great because they are doing their best,” he said. “But every student needs broadband access, and we are going to look at this issue right away.”

He added the current situation is a trying time in Ohio and the nation, but it’s also a good opportunity to connect with people who are close to each other.

“We are going to get through this,” he said. “And we will be wiser and stronger. But I am a firm believer in my faith, and this is a time to rely on friends and family and grow closer and stronger. That’s one big thing I see coming out of all this.”

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

An op-ed piece in the New York Times recently did not blame the Chinese government for the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought the world to a standstill.

The post did not blame Republicans, Democrats or Independents. Of course not.

Katherine Stewart instead tossed the responsibility and blame on people of faith.

After all, the religious right is anti-science, as she claimed, and they support President Donald Trump, who the “newspaper of record” clashes with at press conferences on a regular basis.

Stewart’s opinion article was published on March 27, 2020. It is titled “The Religious Right’s Hostility to Science is Crippling Our Coronavirus Response,” and Stewart makes her opinion clear that people of faith are the reason we are all might die.

She blathers that Trump came into power with the determined assistance that denies science and bashes government. She opines that loyalty is stronger than expertise.

If Trump had not chosen to align himself with anti-science Bible-thumpers, then we would not be in this mess, she suggests.

This is straight out of the leftist playbook. Blame the deplorables and the gun-toting Bible thumpers.

When all else fails and you are void of an intelligent argument, toss the blame and call names.

The editorial writer then made an appearance on MSNBC to further point the finger at Christians.

This is a prime example why many Americans do not trust the mainstream media. Journalism used to be a proud profession-one that held esteem and honor.

A Gallup poll recently released a piece, and the title said it all: “Most Americans say they have lost trust in the media.” A CBS poll in March said that President Trump is trusted more than the media.

Stewart’s unwarranted attack on people of faith is just another reason why Americans do not trust the outlets and the people who are supposed to be fair and neutral.

I would have expected the blame to be directed at Communist China for the release of the virus. After all, that is where it came from.

Instead, journalists and left-leaning members of Congress chastise the President as being a racist for calling the disease the “Chinese Coronavirus.”

I see nothing wrong with that characterization. I go to “Chinese” restaurants and “Italian” restaurants to dine. I speak the “English” language, and one of my pets was a “German” Shepherd. These assumptions of racism are ridiculous.

Stewart is fine with offending American people who are Christians but will not dare put the responsibility of this pandemic where it belongs out of fear of being labeled a racist or frustrating a country that has a documented history of population control – China.

Instead, she attacks Christians.

I remember when journalists were brave and sought to tell the truth no matter the consequence.

Stewart is neither. She puts a target on those she assumes have been taught to “turn the other cheek.”

Christians are not anti-science. I have many friends who are doctors, and I have put my trust in them. Just because I am a person of faith does not mean I don’t appreciate doctors and hospitals.

If I am sick or need attention from a healthcare provider, I go. I never ask about their religious background because that’s not really important to me when I am in an emergency room.

The fact that I rely on the “ultimate healer” is not a slap in their face. If an atheist is put in the position to save my loved one and has the skills needed to save lives, then I am ready to receive his help.

But Stewart’s attack on people of faith is deeper than what she claims. She must possess a deep hatred for Christians in order to blame them for this pandemic. Many in the media mock Vice President Pence for his Christian beliefs. But he handles it with class.

I believe there is more to this pandemic. Many high-profile people warned two years that this could happen.

Tragic events usually bring the country together, and citizens are more lenient and loving toward each other.

But in this case, this writer expressed disdain and blame for a certain population which only works to divide the country even more.

President Trump has been working hard to fight this pandemic and to encourage private and public entities to partner together to fight this enemy. Inconvenience is a way of life for now. He is criticized by the media for holding too many press briefings. If he didn’t make daily appearances, they would bang on him for that. The mainstream media cannot be satisfied or trusted.

But to scapegoat Christians because of this pandemic is a low blow, even for the New York Times.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog/ and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartli

By Del Duduit

Anyone who follows me knows that 95 percent of my posts are inspirational and encouraging.

On occasion, I let my opinions be known about how I feel about current events. Most see my point of view and a few others don’t, and that’s okay.

But today, I want to focus on what’s going on in the world that’s positive.

In the midst of the pandemic that has affected all of us, stories of hope always emerge.

We hear many accounts of scared people hoarding toilet paper, and there is panic every time a truck pulls into Walmart with a delivery. But I like to hear about the good in people.

There are some supermarkets and department stores that have stepped up and reserved slots in the morning for elderly people to come in buy what they need.

Bravo.

Some banks are taking similar steps to make sure those who are at most risk are able to attend to their daily needs.

That’s teamwork.

The images of young people partying with no regard for anyone’s safety bothered me, and I hope it disturbs all who observed these selfish acts.

But when I heard about a McDonald’s franchise in Florida giving free combo meals to hospital workers, it restored my faith in people.

Any employee who shows a hospital badge will be fed for free.

That’s much like what happened during 9/11 when many businesses helped out our first responders.

A portion of a press release from the Florida McDonalds stated it wanted to “honor and give special thanks to all the men and women who dedicate their lives to work in the medical professions to serve those affected by this global pandemic.”

I have gained a new respect for those who work in the healthcare industry and who are now on the front lines.

When you think of the front line in wartime, I envision a battlefield, or in recent years, New York City or even New Orleans.

But I never considered emergency rooms as the front line in a fight. I do now. The “invisible enemy,” as President Trump calls it, will be defeated in a hospital.

There is hope.

I have read reports from chains like Applebee’s, Burger King, and others that are doing acts of kindness. Keep in mind, some of these owners might be risking their financial future to ensure that those putting their lives on the line are fed.

Bravo.

In a little town in Maryland, I was encouraged to read about a person who did the right thing.

A woman’s debit card was denied, and she had a buggy full of groceries. A woman named Dana was behind the lady, and instead of turning her head and ignoring the embarrassing situation, she chose to let her know that she would cover the expenses the lady needed in this time of crisis.

That’s awesome. Good people still exist.

In Baltimore, the organization Weekend Backpacks for Homeless Kids stepped up to the plate and made sure children and their families are still supplied with bags of food while schools are closed.

In Scioto County, Ohio, Steven’s Power Packs (backpacks full of food) are doing the same thing. Times are tough, but this brings out the best in some.

That’s tremendous.

In a time of crisis, the good deeds always outweigh the looting and negative news you read about and see.

But rest assured, there are good people doing the right thing.

I believe the United States will survive this crisis. I have the utmost confidence in our leaders and will respect those in authority as they work tirelessly to lead us to safety. And we should be ready to assist a neighbor in need. A helping hand outweighs selfishness.

The good that will come out of this might not be seen for weeks, but it will make each person stronger every day.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do so. (Proverbs 3: 27)

Keep the faith and do good.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.