Transparency is needed from those at all levels
We deserve better from our leaders
I am dismayed by the news that Gov. Lamont’s Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group will meet in secret and that the details of the proceedings will not be public [April 27, “Group making recommendations on reopening Connecticut businesses won’t be subject to open records laws”]. At a time of increasing uncertainty and when public trust will be crucial moving forward as a state, region, country and world, consistently strong and transparent leadership is vital. The erosion of trust in leadership at the national level affects how work is done in Connecticut.
With the important exception of a lack of voice given to underserved communities in our state and region, the membership of the advisory group is impressive. The lack of a direct voice for workers who struggle to make ends meet in the best of times and for all those people who struggle with inadequate health care, the choices made now and in the weeks ahead will be life changing or life threatening.
My concerns do not mean that I don’t think the state should begin reopening. I am not an expert in any field that would help make such important decisions. However, I do have many questions and without transparency in the decision-making process, it is hard for me to imagine how I will trust the choices suggested by the advisory group and those ultimately made by Gov. Lamont.
The people who live in this state deserve better from our leaders.
Stephen Riege, West Hartford
Before sharing opinions, learn the whole truth
Frequently I have been perplexed reading the obviously liberal opinions in Letters to the Editor, which have often offered statements that lack the entire truth of a matter. A letter from earlier this week about the writer’s perceived failure of the GOP and President Donald Trump in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, is case in point [April 29, “Coronavirus pandemic shows that we apparently have not learned anything from past tragedies”].
The author tops off his thesis by saying, “Can we take comfort that Trump’s newly appointed leader of vaccine development was until recently in charge of a dog breeding company?”
This truth omits the fact that Brian Harrison has an extensive, successful background. He worked in the office of the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the George W. Bush Administration, held positions at the Social Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Office of the Vice President at the
White House. He also has a degree in Economics from Texas A&M University.
So, yes, Brian Harrison did run a family Labradoodle breeding business prior to returning to government as Chief of Staff at HHS. But people who put out only the facts that will support their personal opinions should take care to know and learn the whole truth about what they are asserting.
Laura Parent, Old Lyme
We need a plan sooner rather than later
We have heard a great deal about who is on the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group, but what has been done so far [April 24, A1, “June goal for partial reopen]?
Gov. Lamont wants a plan by May 20 to reopen the state in June. What if the medical facts indicate the state could open sooner? Without a plan, that would not happen. Therefore, I strongly suggest that the governor and advisory group develop a plan as soon as possible.
As a senior citizen over 75, I take offense that Ezekiel Emanuel is in the advisory group, given that he deems 75 a good age to die. I certainly do not want him making any decisions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic considering that the people most affected are senior citizens. Therefore, I also suggest placing David Katz of Yale University, in his place.