Welcome to our weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To read last week’s responses, scroll below this week’s topic.
Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s topic is:
Vax Mandates in the Workplace
Yesterday, Governor Larry Hogan announced that Maryland state employees who work in congregate settings must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as of September 1st. Hogan stated that employees in 48 state facilities will be required to show proof of vaccination or adhere to strict face covering requirements and submit to regular, ongoing COVID-19 testing. “There is nothing more effective at saving lives and keeping people out of the hospital than the vaccines, which are doing exactly what they were designed to do, which is preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death,” Hogan said.
For the private sector, vaccine mandates may be dictated at the discretion of ownership; and some businesses are taking similar action to that of the state.
Our questions to you:
Do you think public and private workplaces should be able to mandate employee vaccination? Why or why not?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Last week, we asked you about Simone Biles: Olympics, Expectations, Pressure & Mental Health and you responded! Here is a sampling of reader responses. To read more, click here.
There is an extreme amount of pressure put on elite athletes that takes on the form of a sort of hero worship that is so unhealthy for our society...role models yes...heroes? Not so much in my opinion. We all have off days and she clearly had one. Everyone needs to do what is best for themselves and others should not judge. I will say, however, that when you put a GOAT (symbolizing Greatest of All Time in today’s vernacular) on your leotard, you probably should not be totally surprised when the media latches on and cranks up the heat on you even more. Regardless, anxiety is a real thing and can be very debilitating for people who suffer from it.
Michele Deckman, Annapolis
Just think about it for a while....she trained and prepped herself for this point in time, the Olympics. She faces pressure beyond belief with no fans cheering and supporting her. The eyes of the world and watching her every move with high expectations. She knows that she is not on her game and potentially let people and the nation down. What guts it must have taken her to make the decision to do what not only was right but considered the best interest of her fellow teammates. KUDOS to you Simone, you shown through your actions what maturity looks like and you should be thanked for being a role model to today’s youth who need guidance in today’s world.
Ron Helinski, Arnold