Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up to Ridgefield native Kieran Smith’s capture of the bronze medal for Team USA in the men’s 400meter freestyle. Smith did it in style, with a personal best time of 3 minutes, 43.94 seconds, along with a dramatic finish. Smith now joins an elite club of two, becoming the second Ridgefield High School graduate to collect a medal. The first was Janel Jorgensen, who claimed the silver in the women’s 4x100 meter medley relay in 1988.

Thumbs down to news that a coronavirus vaccine for children under 12 is unlikely to be ready before the start of school, just more than a month from now.

A vaccine approval would take out a lot of stress for parents this year, as elementary school students remain unprotected from COVID. And with controversy likely to follow any mask mandates, it would be a welcome relief to know the youngest students could be kept safer. Approval could come some time in 2022, but there’s no way to know. In the meantime, parents need to find other ways to stop the spread.

Thumbs down to the potential for new travel restrictions related to COVID-19. Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday such a move was “a real possibility” as case

numbers rise across the country, including in Connecticut. It’s a sobering turnabout from a just a few months ago, when mandates were lifted and we looked as though we were putting the coronavirus in the past. And it’s especially frustrating given that vaccines are now available for anyone 12 and over, which wasn’t the case six months ago. Lamont said he is keeping a close eye on rising numbers, but no one should be surprised if new restrictions are instituted.

Thumbs down, meanwhile, to the extreme backlog in passports and renewals. Americans are used to a wait time of about six weeks for applications, which

already seemed too long. In the wake of the pandemic, that period has been stretched to 18 weeks for routine applications, and about six weeks less for expedited requests. Traveling overseas may remain somewhat in flux, but travelers should not have to endure the considerable grief this kind of red tape can generate.

Thumbs down to restaurants whose owners say they are closing because they can’t find enough staff. While some have blamed extended government aid for

workers who lost their jobs in the pandemic, there are many causes at play. And while it’s true that restaurants close frequently even in normal times, it’s a shame to see it happening now just as more people start to feel comfortable going out again. Restaurants and bars have faced the brunt of coronavirus shutdown policies over the past year and a half, and getting them back on their feet should continue to be a priority for policy makers.

Thumbs up to the University of Connecticut men’s basketball program successfully clearing the two-year probationary period it was slapped with over

violations incurred under former coach Kevin Ollie. Followers of the team tend to remember the violations rather than the penalties, which included recruiting restrictions as well as a reduction in scholarships. UConn Athletic Director David Benedict said, “I feel that we have emerged stronger than ever.” Let’s hope so.

Martin Meissner / Associated Press Kieran Smith of Ridgefield rests after his swim Monday in a semifinal during the men's 200-meter freestyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics.