Which Isbell--Mrowka spaces ($Psi$-spaces) satisfy the star version of Mengers and Hurewiczs covering properties? Following Bonanzinga and Matveev, this question is considered here from a combinatorial point of view. An example of a $Psi$-space that is (strongly) star-Menger but not star-Hurewicz is obtained. The PCF-theory function $kappamapstocof([kappa]^alephes)$ is a key tool. Using the method of forcing, a complete answer to a question of Bonanzinga and Matveev is provided. The results also apply to the mentioned covering properties in the realm of Pixley--Roy spaces, to the extent of spaces with these properties, and to the character of free abelian topological groups over hemicompact $k$ spaces.
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