A message from the Chairwoman | REGISTER for PCBC Re-Open Task Force TOWN HALL, 06/22, 2PM | COVID Updates

I attended a Black Lives Matter Protest, for the first time, with my 16-year-old daughter Julia and her friend, Sam. Both girls were touched, empowered and inspired. Julia is seeing things through a whole new set of eyes. My granddaughter, Julia’s niece, Zendaya, is Puerto Rican, Dominican and Irish.The hope is that the world will be a kinder place for her.

A peaceful demonstration at the Putnam County Courthouse, the protest was the first time I have seen racism openly addressed in Putnam County. I am ashamed of myself as a mom of a bi-racial daughter that I did not speak up before and I am proud of our youth for what they are doing for racial equality. The confluence of events while working to reopen the county has been overwhelming for all.

Going in, we knew the proposition of re-opening Putnam County was going to be a fragile and unpredictable undertaking. Filled with fear and uncertainty, many of us are worried about another spike of infection; we are consumed by the loss of revenue, jobs, and question if business will ever come back.

As if that were not enough, the inhumane and unwarranted death of George Floyd, an African-American resident of Minneapolis, has set off a global and violent series of protests against law enforcement and systemic racism. While all have been peaceful in our community, many have been marked by death, assault, defacement, looting and destruction. The perpetrators of these acts rip away at the hope of reopening for small businesses. These criminal acts and threats or rumors of threats, have sabotaged the peaceful lawful mission of these protests. As fear subsides, people are still taking issue with peaceful protests, worried that these criminals will show up and our COVID numbers will spike, preventing us from entering subsequent reopening phases. While protests may come at a very difficult time, both financially and emotionally, protesting is a basic constitutional right. We are a county that lives and dies by our constitutional rights. Thankfully, Putnam County continues to support peaceful protests, rallies and vigils.

People need to be heard in order to instill confidence and regain consumer trust as businesses look to re-open. I understand and appreciate the concern about spiking infection rates, but I am more afraid to be a county that does not show up for those that need protecting and denies people their right to speak freely and assemble peacefully.

The attendees of these rallies must be wearing masks and practice social distancing. Then, I believe, they can be executed safely. As a business community, we have a responsibility to help our community heal. I agree and understand why people are frustrated with conflicting guidelines. Graduations cannot happen, many businesses are not open but people can rally. I get it, it is confusing and not fair. The state sets forth guidelines where some can and some can’t. We will be sure to communicate that we are not happy with the mixed messages. Yet, supporting the youth in the fight for racial justice is important. Balance and unity is the path toward rebuilding trust and the economy.

Former longtime state government journalist Liz Benjamin recently joined Heather Briccetti and the CONNECT Podcast to discuss the state & federal response to COVID-19. Other discussion included the impact the coronavirus and recent equality movement will have on upcoming elections.