Recent editorials from Mississippi newspapers:
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Nov. 24
The Greenwood Commonwealth on the need for another national coronavirus aid package:
The pandemic has taken some of the joy out of the upcoming holiday season. It could be a real downer for some 12 million Americans if Congress does not work out its differences over another coronavirus relief package.
That’s how many it is estimated will lose their unemployment benefits when two emergency programs created by Congress earlier this year expire on Dec. 26.
The nation’s economy has bounced back more than halfway from the deep plunge it took in the spring, but hiring is still far short of its pre-pandemic levels. Some of those gains also could be reversed this winter if the virus continues to surge.
There is hope on the horizon from vaccinations that are performing well in studies and moving rapidly toward deployment. In the meantime, though, the government is going to have to provide a bigger safety net than normal for those who lose their livelihood through no fault of their own.
Both political parties agree about that. They need to work out a compromise to make it happen. They need to find a point of compromise.
Online: https://www.gwcommonwealth.com
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Nov. 19
The Vicksburg Post on supporting local business with holiday shopping:
If there was ever a year where the simple act of lighting a Christmas tree was so desperately needed, it is 2020.
On Nov. 27, as part of the festivities surrounding the opening of Christmas in the Park, the 16-foot Christmas tree, currently sitting decorated in the middle of Washington Street Park, will be turned on and with it ring in a season many have looked forward to.
It is a season that not only children and the general public have looked forward to, but local retailers as well.
Friday, affectionately known as Black Friday because of the economic impact the day after Thanksgiving usually means to the bottom line of many retailers, should be the start of something special in Vicksburg and for that, we are thankful to the city leaders and officials with Vicksburg’s Main Street program for bringing back Christmas in the Park.
While the event will be a smaller version than the festive atmosphere brought about during the inaugural event, the decorations and evening light show is a beacon that will hopefully draw crowds to downtown Vicksburg and its retailers.
In an online poll by The Vicksburg Post, nearly 70 percent of readers said they plan to do much of their Christmas shopping this year through online vendors, while the remainder said they would do much of their shopping with local businesses.
That is a shame and a number that should be flipped. While online retailers have been a saving grace for many during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for those worried about going in among the crowds, our local retailers need our support.
This year, which has been dominated so much by the pandemic, has left many smaller retailers hurting.
While they do not have the online shopping options of the larger retailers, they do offer the personalized shopping experience that so many long for and that continues to provide the utmost in customer service.
And, during this year, many have adapted their business operations to help those who are concerned about shopping in-person.
Friday marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and it is important that while we remember our loved ones and those on our shopping list, we also remember those who have continued to support our community, employ our friends and family, and provide the business backbone to our community.
Online: https://www.vicksburgpost.com
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Nov. 18
The Daily Journal on calls for a statewide mask mandate in Mississippi:
Gov. Tate Reeves added seven more counties to the state’s mask mandate last week, including Itawamba and Pontotoc counties. These counties join Benton, Marshall and Lee in our coverage area of Northeast Mississippi as we continue to watch as COVID-19 cases rise in the state.
As of Nov. 15, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health, 723 individuals are hospitalized across the state, with 180 in an ICU. Our peak number of hospitalizations occurred during the summer with 987. We currently have around 38 ICU beds available in our region, including 11 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.
The most recent data on hospitalizations from North Mississippi Health Services, which includes NMMC, shows that the system is again nearing the number of peak hospitalizations, previously seen in late July.
After the spike in hospitalizations in July, which was seen across the state, we saw a significant decrease across the state. We believe this to be in part because of the statewide mask mandate Gov. Reeves issued. The governor even said himself in September that masking helped control the spread after the spike in July. And as he announced the seven additional counties added to the masking order on Nov. 16, he again emphasized that wearing a mask helps.
When Gov. Reeves extended the statewide order in September, he said it was in anticipation of the Labor Day holiday and a possible spike, based on what we saw after other holidays. So with the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, we must ask why can we not return to a statewide mask mandate?
We did not understand Gov. Reeves’ piecemeal approach during the summer and we do not understand it now. As Mississippians travel around the state, it’s difficult to keep up with the requirements for each county. And if a county is not under a mask mandate, it could give a false sense of security, during a time when we all must be diligent.
With the holidays upon us, changing weather, and a significant increase in cases, we implore Gov. Reeves to reinstate the statewide masking order before conditions worsen in our state.
In the meantime, please wear a mask, regardless of where you live and whether you’re under the current mandate.
Online: https://www.djournal.com
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