Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
State of Emergency Being Lifted
Do you agree with ending the State of Emergency?
Will you continue adhering to “pandemic protocols” yourself, or not?
Here’s what you said:
I agree to end the state of emergency.
Cynthia Hanna, Odenton
Yes! End it.
Also, could you guys make these questions a yes or no clickable poll/ format? There's lots of topics I'd like to about but just don't feel like filling out my info every time and having to type out responses.
Keep up the great work! Enjoy reading your emails.
Katina Ruest, Annapolis
Yes. As long as the positivity rate for the area is under 5%, I feel it is OK to lift the protocols in place. They were definitely necessary when enacted and they did their job. The vaccine is readily available to most people and that should provide protection to those vaccinated and help those who are not. But care needs to be taken and changes made if the rate in any areas starts to climb again.
Michael Budd, Harrisburg
I agree with Governor Hogan's decision. I will continue to wear a mask where it is required, and otherwise in situations where I feel it to be needed.
Al DiCenso, Easton
Yes, I agree. The "emergency" is over.
Robert Mondor, Arnold
Yes, it's time to lift the state-of-emergency. The stats have spoken!
Maryland has done an excellent job working through this pandemic by implementing protocols, mandates, testing, vaccinations, etc. in the past 15 months. (People should still feel free to mask up if they want but it's GREAT not being required to wear one now that we're in our second summer of COVID-19)!
Life needs to get back to normal. If nothing else, for our kids. Their well-being is so important. So, let's return to fun in '21!
Dana Strotman, Edgewater
I think lifting the state of emergency is premature. I think opting out for Federal programs that provided aid prior to Sept. 6th was also premature. I think people need time to prepare. Now the unemployed are reapplying because of a charter and it has been 3 weeks pending receiving those funds and it will be longer. I think people are trying to get back to normal and that will be a process. It is hard to breath in those masks and if you have glasses they fog up and it is hard to see too. I have a suppressed immune system and the vaccine was not tested on that part of the population. When I go to the post office and see people applying for passports to go to other countries - which I see a lot of - it is frustrating because COVID is not over. I think the population will relax too much and trips to other countries who have not been controlling this will cause it to rise again.
Cindy Myers, Arnold
Yes, I agree with Governor Hogan's decision. It's time to open back up. Vaccination is an important step everyone needs to take to help our state and country get back to normal. However, if new variants are making people sick in significant numbers, we need to return to some safety measures in a smart way.
Jensin Sommer, Annapolis
YES! I will not continue adhering to “pandemic protocols”
Nat Fe, Millersville
Yes, it's time. Everyone has had a chance to be vaccinated & safe.
Lynn Moore, Annapolis
End emergency powers so we can get back to normal. Enough already.
John Blauvelt, Arnold
Although I agree that most restrictions should be lifted, I believe that we should still be cautious because of continuing new and more dangerous variants, for which vaccine effectiveness has not yet been determined.
Carol Myer, Riva
I agree with ending the state of emergency since more than 40% of people have been vaccinated. It is time to re-open and allow business to flourish fully as they did before the restrictions of the pandemic.
Celine Repolt, Annapolis
No, I don't agree with ending the state of emergency! By doing so you are sending a message that COVID is NOT! real. The numbers always go down in the summer. Until COVID is gone! We are all in a state of emergency!
Karen McElwain, Annapolis
I think it should be ended. However, I think for certain closer venues, people should be required to show proof of vaccination or wear a mask if they can't or won't show proof.
Evelyn Harris, Crofton
I agree with Governor Hogan's decision to end the state of emergency. I think people should take full responsibility for doing the right thing without having a state mandate as we continue to emerge from this pandemic. We all should continue to practice social distancing, wash our hands frequently and wear a mask when appropriate without having to be told. Best example is the number of people who died or had to be hospitalized with the FLU is at an all time low!! The lessons learned in the last 15 months will help us when other pandemics occur. It’s time to stand up and support our state by going back to work. Our government CAN NOT continue to support us without going bankrupt. Americans have become lazy and selfish.
A. Hogan, Annapolis
Yes, I agree with ending the state of emergency. It is no longer an emergency but something we live with. Get people back to work and school. I will be cautious in my choices of places and masks. But my choice
Lucy Franklin, Friendship
