Welcome to a new, 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:
Memorial Day Remembrances
This weekend is recognized as the Memorial Day holiday. Households across America will fire up grills, barbeque, and gather with family and friends. But let us not lose track of the true meaning this holiday signifies; honoring the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military to protect country.
Our questions to you:
Would you like to share a remembrance of someone close to you who served in the U.S. military?
Would you like to offer thanks to our veterans and to those who’ve lost their lives to ensure our freedoms?
We will share your remembrances/memories in next week’s column. Thank you.
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Last week, we asked you about Covid Masking and you responded! Here is a sampling of reader responses. To read more, click here.
As a business owner, making the decision to mask or unmask is very difficult. We have opted to remain masked and follow our strict Covid guidelines at this time. We are a personal care business and because our guests work so closely with our team, we have decided that staying masked is the best option for everyone.
Rebecca Santoro, Annapolis
All businesses should have a "mask optional" policy. The CDC has moved on, Hogan said no masks. Most are vaccinated. People NEED to see smiles!!!!!!! It's healthy to smile and be smiled at!!!! More than you know!
Wendy Ryan, Crownsville
I will continue to wear a mask inside and outside except when social distancing. There are still some who are immune-compromised and others who are unvaccinated and I am happy to keep my germs to myself. Also, I have young children who have not been vaccinated and I want to avoid any chance that they could be exposed.
Amy Green, Arnold
Although things have gotten much better the pandemic is far from over with only 43% of Maryland residents fully vaccinated. The guidelines from the CDC said unvaccinated individuals should still wear masks. Unfortunately, there are far too many unvaccinated people who are bragging about not wearing a mask and this cannot be enforced since there isn't anyway of knowing who is and who isn't vaccinated. Per the link below, more than 700 epidemiologists who believe people should still be wearing masks for at least the next year.
Susan Miller, Bowie
My family and I are probably the only people in Maryland who did not change our routine over the past year. We both went to work everyday. We traveled 3 times in 2020. We hugged our family, had parties, shopped, ate out, and in general lived our lives. I feel it is past time to open businesses and schools and allow people to live their best life. If people choose to live in fear, then that must be their best life. I enjoy earning a living and maintaining my mental health. This is not a popular opinion but I will also say that many of my friends and family are afraid to voice these same thoughts because of the fear-loving people who are angry and bitter about losing more than a year of their life. Thanks for listing. Love What's Up!
Jeanne Rieken, Edgewater