Letters: Maine wants a paid medical go away coverage to guard seniors; Help laws to ban flavored tobacco in Maine

Maine needs paid sick leave to keep seniors safe

The pandemic has had a major impact on all facets of our lives. In Maine, where our workforce is heavily dependent on jobs created by the tourism industry, we faced high unemployment that made it difficult for many of us to make ends meet. Congress worked to pass packages of aid to the American people, and Senator Collins’ efforts to support our troubled PPP loan business provided much-needed relief. But as the economy opens up again, some Mainers still struggle to balance work and care for family members in need.

The past year has taught us that circumstances beyond our control can arise at any time. We are now approaching 800 COVID-related deaths in Maine, and only 54 of those deaths were people under the age of 60. As the state with the oldest residents in the country and the third largest percentage of people over 65 in Maine, it needs a paid medical leave policy that will ensure our older populations receive the support and critical care they need during the pandemic and beyond .

The current government has proposed a paid medical and family leave policy to ensure paid leave for caregivers in such circumstances. This is actually a bipartisan matter that all of our elected officials should agree on. The last administration proposed paid family leave as part of the American Working Families policy portfolio because they understood the importance of taking time to care for newborn children or sick family members.

Currently 65 percent of the Maine workforce is not allowed unpaid vacation under federal family and sick leave law. For years we have needed a permanent solution to addressing this issue, and the pandemic has raised our awareness that paid family and medical vacations are vital to improving morale, strengthening families and boosting our economies.

Promoting a paid vacation plan promotes a healthy work-life balance and makes for a stronger economy. I encourage Senator Collins and Senator King to support this effort.

Kerri Bickford,
Topsham

Supporting Flavored Tobacco Prohibition Legislation in Maine

As a physical education teacher for over 30 years, I have seen the impact of advertising targeting elementary school students that I teach and teach life skills to. Many of my students tell stories about their siblings and how they experimented or tried tobacco because of the flavors like cotton candy. It’s my job, in addition to teaching the importance of a healthy heart and wellbeing, to explain at a level they can understand, just because it tastes good doesn’t mean it’s good for you.

I belong to the generation who had cigarette ads on television. Do you remember these people? I bet you’re smiling as they were phased out in many years, but flavored tobacco products are similar to the old television commercials for kids, teens, and even adults. They are hard to ignore.

Now it’s 2021, add the social media piece and kids don’t stand a chance. It’s no longer TV commercials, it’s peer pressure, social media, and the flavors themselves in every product. Maine’s future depends on healthy children, adolescents and adults. Flavored tobacco products are like the television commercials we fought so hard to get rid of. It’s time to stop selling flavored tobacco.

Thank you to Senator Claxton, Representative Meyer, and all Democrats who are members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services who voted for LD 1550. Many thanks also to Governor Mills for supporting this important move
Legislation.

Lynn D’Agostino,
Free port

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