Millerton News Opinion/Viewpoint

Likening the coronavirus pandemic to being in a state of war, President Trump has been delivering daily updates to U.S. citizens, informing them not only of the number of confirmed cases and deaths, but also of just how the country is dealing with this critical emergency health crisis.

It may feel like a welcome break. But steel yourself. A week ago, my wife’s boss said the organization would close through the end of March. More recently, Governor Andrew Cuomo said the pandemic won’t peak here until about May 1. He didn’t mention that it will need to subside, at roughly the same rate.

We’re from the government and we’re here to help

There is no better time to think about open government and transparency than in the middle of an unprecedented health crisis. After all, the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic are affecting all our lives right now, and will continue to do so as the full effects become clear down the line.

We’re in the middle of another cataclysmic event for America and the world — but America always learns precipitously and leaps to solutions — sometimes good, sometimes bad. The last cataclysmic event was 9/11.