Volume 264 | No. 15

To the Editor: I have been deeply concerned about many N.H. policies and actions regarding our response to Covid-19, but the State Liquor Store policy is one of the most dangerous, unjustifiable, and fraught with moral, legal and ethical problems. Some thoughts to consider: 1. What is the State policy if a worker refuses to work under the conditions that the State admits that a worker, “may bear a heightened risk of exposure to and community transmission of Covid-19 to a degree not inherent to the performance of other state services?” Are they fired, placed on leave without pay, asked to take vacation/sick leave, etc? …

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Dear Editor: “The state is me,” famously said France’s King Louis XIV—absolute monarch during France’s classical age. His ornate and gold-filigreed style is also the style of President Trump’s New York City penthouse. Trump is attracted to Louis XIV. Now Trump has criticized the Governors of Washington state (Inslee) and Michigan (Whitmer) for not being “appreciative enough” of his late-come efforts against the coronavirus. He’s called it “unpatriotic” to criticize him. He confuses himself with our nation that existed long before him and hopefully will have a life after him. Trump told V.P. Pence “not to call” those two Governors who’ve had too much difficulty …

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To the Editor: If this pandemic has any redeeming value, it’s the reality that the United States needs to adopt some major changes to become a just, healthy, and economically fair society for all of our citizens. Suddenly, issues such as universal healthcare, universal childcare, a $15/hour minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, and collaboration across borders seem more important and don’t seem so unrealistic or even unobtainable. I hope we remember this when the pandemic finally comes under control. Judy Ullman Portsmouth, N.H. Judy: Amen. The Editor