Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs down to car thefts going in reverse. There had been a major thumbs up after 2019 marked the lowest reported number of car thefts in the state since the data was first collected in 1985. But early data about 2020 indicates an increase in thefts, mirroring national trends. The 9 percent increase is seen as another consequence of the pandemic, as the economy in general spiraled. The good news is that the 2020 figures are still lower than they were in 2018.
Thumbs down to data revealed by the Connecticut Veterans Legal Clinic that suggests minority members of the military are deprived of leadership positions. It’s the kind of undertaking that can lead the significant change. The report found that while Black and Hispanic enlistees make up 17-18 percent of the troops, only about 8 percent become officers. In digging deeper for a cause, the study identified disparities in congressional nominations to military academies. It will take years to reverse this trend, but awareness is an important first step.
Thumbs up to the 50,000 appointments for firstdose COVID vaccines being made on Friday, when Connecticut residents ages 45-54 became eligible. Yes, there were surely frustrations for many more who could not secure a time, but it’s encouraging to see so many residents doing their part to bring this pandemic to an end.
Thumbs down to the grim reminder that while Connecticut is making progress, COVID still has a strong presence in daily lives. On Friday, as many of the mandated restrictions eased, there were 10 more COVID-related deaths to bring the state total to 7,832, along with 1,207 new infections. The strategy of wearing masks and social distancing remains as important as it was six months ago.
Thumbs down to the discrepancies in conditions offered to men and women playing in the NCAA basketball tournaments. Some of the women brought the issue to light on social media posts that showed glaring differences between workout areas, food options and even COVID-19 testing. Yes, the pandemic has provided obstacles for planning major sporting events, but it should be easier than ever to focus on gender equality.