Alaska hospitals face 'catastrophic' losses with decline in business

Small hospitals will lose from $2.3 million to $11.4 million from April to June, while the losses are expected to be in the $40 million to $50 million range for the largest hospitals and nursing homes.

Dermot ColeMay 4, 2020 Comments

Wasilla doctor urging young, healthy people to get COVID-19, neglects public health risks

Dr. Wade Erickson, a family practice doctor in Wasilla, has the right to his opinion that healthy young Alaskans with no exposure to people at high risk, will be doing a public service this summer if they come down with mild cases of COVID-19.

Dermot ColeMay 1, 2020 Comments

Reasonable rate hikes for Pioneer Homes—another victory for the Dunleavy recall

The state House approved a bill by Rep. Zack Fields last year, on a 35-4 vote, limiting rate increases to the cost of living, but Dunleavy pressed ahead with the rate hike anyway. The Senate unanimously approved the bill this year.

Dermot ColeApril 30, 2020 Comments

Costco shows the way—make masks essential in Alaska retail stores

Let’s hope that the announcement Wednesday from Costco—that all employees and customers must wear face masks as of Monday—will be the impetus the state and the Municipality of Anchorage need to apply a consistent policy that protects the most vulnerable Alaskans.

Dermot ColeApril 29, 2020 Comments

Unreasonable federal limits on spending bailout money create nightmare

The Trump administration has declared that federal bailout money cannot be used by local and state governments to make up for revenue losses created by the pandemic, the major reason that local and state governments need help.

Dermot ColeApril 28, 2020 Comments

Sullivan picks up on GOP campaign memo to attack China, 'don't defend Trump'

On the same day that a national GOP strategist suggested that senators blame China for all COVID-19 problems, Sen. Dan Sullivan echoed the talking point on his Facebook campaign page.

Dermot ColeApril 27, 2020 Comments

Alaska's experiment with reopening during pandemic could be prudent or catastrophic

Alaska has so far been spared from the worst of the pandemic. Health care facilities have not become overwhelmed and the number of people stricken with serious illness has been low. Some people have concluded from this that the danger is past, an attitude that is incredibly short-sighted and dangerous.

Dermot ColeApril 26, 2020 Comments

At Mat-Su book banning discussion, 'you can see America's IQ points circle the drain'

Rather than admit their error, the board members have decided to argue about the definition of the word “ban,” stealing a page from Bill Clinton’s dissertation on weasel words: “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

Dermot ColeApril 25, 2020 Comments

$300 million loan program suddenly becomes $300 million business grant program

The need for transparency in this program became a far more urgent matter with the sudden transition to a grant program. The selection of businesses for grants should be made in ways to avoid political favoritism. That is always a threat when money is distributed by political appointees with few rules.

Dermot ColeApril 24, 2020 Comments

Mat-Su school board members didn't bother to read classic books they banned

What is missing from the consciousness of the five Mat-Su school board members who banned five great books from high school classes is the understanding that every great book is controversial, including the Bible.

Dermot ColeApril 23, 2020 Comments