COVID-19 Update 06-22-20, COVID-19 Update 06-23-20, COVID-19 Update 06-24-20…
Almost every morning, an email with that dated subject line pops into my inbox. The sender?
Connecticut State Representative Stephen Meskers. And I have been receiving those daily updates from Steve since March 12th.
Each email contains a thorough breakdown of the situation we face in Connecticut. It starts with an overall summary of the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, associated deaths, patients currently hospitalized with the virus, and tests reported. It also includes the actions Governor Lamont has taken, details of the plans for reopening businesses, and a reminder to sign up for CT Alert (the state’s emergency alert system).
This effort perfectly exemplifies why we need Stephen Meskers as our State Representative in the 150th District – he communicates with candor. The ability to speak and be heard is just one of the qualities Steve possesses as an effective communicator.
However, there is another important attribute, sorely lacking amongst some of our elected representatives today, and that is the willingness to accept a self-imposed obligation to speak the truth. Steve’s possession of the latter is what truly sets him apart as a candidate.
Far before this pandemic arose, we were facing issues with the rampant spread of viral misinformation – the debilitating effects of which are only being exacerbated by force of current circumstance. At a time when no one really knows the answers to the questions we seek, conjecture is being framed as absolute truth, making the flood of information that presents itself to us each day harder and harder to navigate.
We need help cutting through the noise in order to separate fact from fiction and come to truly understand what is happening in the world around us. Steve has proven that he is capable of serving as that guiding hand day in and day out, not only through the emails he sends but also the live watch parties he hosts and, more generally, the transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness that characterize all the initiatives he
champions.
Steve’s political career was born out of meaningful communication, so it’s no wonder that he’s operating so effectively now. I know that I can trust Steve to tell me what I need to hear, even if I don’t want to hear it – especially when I don’t want to hear it. He puts protecting those he represents above placating them, which is incredibly admirable
given that he is an elected representative dependent on constituent support. He does not attempt to sugarcoat the truth or hold back key facts and figures to avoid being negatively associated with the issue at hand or
blamed for its continuance. He bears the repercussions the messenger so often faces with grace and dignity.
Steve Meskers deserves our support. Please join me and re-elect Steve for State Representative in the 150th .
Emily Hunt, Old Greenwich
Editor’s note: Letters to the Editor in support of local candidates in the Nov 3, 2020 election may be submitted for consideration beginning July 15 and with a hard deadline of Oct 26, 2020 at noon.