Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs down to Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration for prematurely promising the availability of COVID testing kits last week. With the governor’s assurance, towns across Connecticut put plans in place to distribute thousands of home test kits, only to be told a day later that the tests weren’t coming. Lamont said the administration thought it was on secure ground in announcing their procurement, but some other unnamed entity apparently moved faster. The state was able to secure some tests later in the week – thumbs way up to CVS Health for those — but not as many as had been announced, and many people were left wanting. It’s a difficult situation, but the governor should learn not to make such announcements until he’s sure they can be fulfilled.
Thumbs down to the start of yet another COVID year. With omicron cases surging and positivity rates over 21 percent, 2022 marks the start of our
third year in the grip of the coronavirus. Every time it’s looked like the worst might be over, a new strain has emerged that has again sent us scurrying for cover. Still, even as schools consider the need to put off reopening after the holiday break and offices keep workers at home, it’s important to remember how far we’ve come. Vaccines are available, and effective. For those who haven’t yet done so, it’s more important than ever to protect yourselves. Eventually, we’ll find our way through this.
Thumbs up to Attorney General William Tong for continuing the fight against Oxycontin maker Purdue Pharma, the Stamford-based company at the heart of the nation’s opioid crisis. Even as other states signed onto a proposal that would have provided some recompense to victims, Tong and Connecticut held out, appealing the ruling and seeking a verdict that would hold responsible the company’s owners, the Sackler family. That effort received a boost when a federal judge overturned an approval of the initial settlement plan. Tong rejected that plan in part because it includes wide legal protections for the Sacklers. Though it’s been a difficult road to follow, this is the right move for Connecticut, and for the many victims of the opioid crisis.
Thumbs down to a shortage of female corporate executives in Connecticut. About 350,000 women 20 and older left the workforce in August and September last year, the U.S. Labor Department reported in October, while 321,000 men in the same age rage joined the labor force. The shortage is even more acute in the executive ranks, which means the fewer women in those positions find themselves in especially high demand. The reasons for the work force decline vary, but include the need to care for family members as the pandemic has continued to rage. To achieve workforce equity, the state needs more women at all levels, including in the corner office.
Thumbs up to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal returning to his old state attorney general roots and calling on airlines to give full refunds to consumers for
flights that never took off. We can appreciate the challenges faced by the airline industry, but money should be promptly returned when a service is not provided. In this case, a shortage of crews caused many flights to be canceled. People forced to cancel travel plans stand to suffer other setbacks (such as loss of booked accommodations). They should at least be able to count on getting their money back for a canceled flight. Blumenthal was being pro-active, accusing airlines of still owing money for cancellations during the last lockdown. Consumers handed over their money to fly. When a flight is grounded, they deserve cash, not vouchers, to be delivered immediately.