Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs down to Connecticut’s contact tracing system offering information only in English. This is more than a bug in the ContaCT system, which is designed to identify residents with the coronavirus and share the information with anyone with whom they had contact. A thumbs up, though, to municipalities working around the problem by recruiting help from bilingual volunteers.

Thumbs down to anyone who decided the pandemic would take a holiday. Throughout Connecticut, there were too many cases of large gatherings and parties over the Fourth of July weekend. Connecticut has succeeded in dropping its coronavirus numbers though appropriate protocol and discipline. Getting careless for the sake of barbecues and backyard fireworks is a step in the wrong direction.

Thumbs up to bar owners who accepted Gov. Ned Lamont’s decision to postpone expanded service at their businesses with poise. Bars and restaurants are losing a lot of summer business by not being able to serve alcoholic beverages indoors, but several proprietors accepted news of a further delay by recognizing the need to protect customers. It’s the right attitude, particular given how anxious business owners are to boost their profits after being shuttered.

Thumbs down to the apparent rise in gun sales. Across the nation, there were 3.9 million firearms background checks during June, the most that have ever been recorded in one month by the FBI. Connecticut’s figures were somewhat tempered, but the state only lifted its ban on fingerprinting on June 15, which means more reliable numbers will be recorded in July (first-time buyers are required to be fingerprinted). The numbers are hardly surprising, given the heightened anxiety during the pandemic. But anxiety and firearms are a bad mix.

Thumbs down to the pandemic putting local cinemas in jeopardy throughout the state. The theaters have always faced business obstacles in the face of multiplexes, but the pandemic — and increased use of home streaming services — is rolling “The End” title card for some of them. The state’s oldest continually operated theater, the Bantam in Litchfield, will become history unless the owners find a buyer. Bethel Cinema is also likely gone for good. Others are now reopening, and eager to lure film lovers weary of home viewing.

Thumbs up to Bridgeport police making arrests in a 27-year-old homicide cold case. Back in 1993, Theodore “Teddy” Edwards was found dead in Duchess Diner, where he worked as he night custodian. Police have arrested Stamford resident Danarius Dukes, 44, and Eric Brown, 46. Dukes is charged with felony murder and murder while Brown is charged with murder. Because Dukes was 17 at the time, he will be prosecuted as a juvenile. Dukes has served two decades for an unrelated shooting. The case has had several false leads over the years, but hopefully this will bring it to an end.

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media The Bethel Cinema on April 21, has announced it will close.