Editorial Roundup: Indiana

Terre Haute Tribune-Star. June 25, 2021.

Editorial: ISU takes cautious approach on COVID-19 vaccinations

Fittingly, Indiana State University officials did their homework in preparing a COVID-19 vaccination policy for its students and employees. Such a task is not simple.

As the world knows, the response to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States - the nation's gravest health crisis in a century - is hamstrung by politics. Colleges and universities across the country are just the latest entities to tiptoe through the gauntlet of politically tinged backlash. Many have received stiff pushback to their laudable plans for a safe return to a more normal on-campus atmosphere for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year.

The Hoosier state stands as Exhibit A in that situation.

Fifty-five miles east of ISU, Indiana University initially announced it would require students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or see their class registrations canceled and jobs terminated. Exemptions were provided for religious and medical reasons. Such a stringent policy is understandable, given that more than 90,000 students from across the globe, as well as 17,000 employees, occupy its eight campuses throughout a state that ranks 36th nationally in the percentage of fully vaccinated residents.

Indiana Republican legislators and the state attorney general quickly denounced IU's policy requiring proof of vaccination, and declared it a violation of a newly passed law against 'œvaccine passports.'ť IU soon modified its policy to make proof of vaccination optional. The university also faces a lawsuit by eight students, filed by prominent conservative attorney James Bopp Jr.

Ninety-seven miles north of ISU lies Purdue University, where its president - former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels - and his team crafted a savvy vaccination policy that appears to have slid through the state's new restrictions on vaccine passports. Purdue's plan strongly encourages students and employees to get vaccinated, but leaves it optional. Still, those who decide not to show proof of a vaccination must undergo frequent COVID-19 testing. Purdue is also offering a year's free tuition to 10 students, chosen by lottery, who show vaccination proof.

Here in Terre Haute, ISU has leaned toward Purdue's strategy. That is a pragmatic approach in a state as red as Indiana.

Indiana State will not mandate COVID-19 vaccinations this fall for its students and staff. ISU is asking those folks - which include nearly 10,000 students and 1,500 employees - to voluntarily submit proof of vaccination and encouraging all to be inoculated.

ISU will keep those vaccination verifications private, but will use them to help the university and Vigo County Health Department to conduct necessary contact tracing. One of the strongest tools in preventing the spread of the contagious virus, especially in a setting with nearly 12,000 people closely interacting day after day, is contact tracing. It helps alert people who have been exposed to an infected person.

Those who show proof of vaccination will also no longer have to complete ISU's Sycamore Symptoms assessment in 2021-22, or be required to quarantine after exposure to someone who has tested positive, or be required to wear a mask in public spaces.

'œThe university is prepared to return to near normal operations for the fall semester,'ť ISU President Deborah Curtis told the board of trustees earlier this month.

COVID-19 has claimed more than 600,000 American lives since its emergence in March 2020. Lax responses threaten to harm the health and lives of thousands more - especially with the rise in coronavirus variants - when cold weather drives people back indoors this fall. The highly effective gamut of vaccines can prevent such a surge and bring the pandemic to an end.

Given that threat and the political dynamics, ISU has taken an educated approach to confronting this stage of the pandemic and providing a return to a semblance of normalcy on campus.

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Anderson Herald Bulletin. June 23, 2021.

Editorial: This summer, be safe on the road

As the weather heats up, motorcycle enthusiasts have good reason to take to the road, but a recent spate of accidents suggests that motorcyclists and other motorists should be cautious in their summer travels.

Kerry and Barbara Hinkle, both 62, of Anderson, were seriously injured June 14 when the motorcycle they were riding was struck by another vehicle near the intersection of 38th Street and Ridge Road.

Devyn Underwood, 27, suffered head injuries when the motorcycle he was riding left the road south of Summitville the night of June 12. Underwood remains in critical condition in an intensive care unit.

According to police, Corena Swain was intoxicated and driving an SUV when she struck two people on a motorcycle the night of June 10. Lawrence 'œKelly'ť Jones, 47, was flown by a Lifeline helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital.

In hopes of breaking this tragic trend, we urge motorists to be both cautious and courteous as more motorcycles will be on the road in these warmer months.

Motorcyclists must do their part, as well, observing all legally mandated and recommended safety guidelines and practicing vigilance in their awareness of other vehicles.

Most importantly, whether you drive a four-wheeler or a two-wheeler, never operate a vehicle of any kind after consuming alcohol or drugs.

People are likely to be excited to be out and about this summer, particularly after many of last summer's activities were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We encourage everyone to make the most of this summer while making safety a high priority on the streets of local communities and the roads of Madison County.

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Columbus Republic. June 23, 2021.

Editorial: Time to upgrade Anderson Falls' security

Sprawled across 44 acres of Hoosier forest and featuring a cascading waterfall, Anderson Falls is considered a hidden gem to many Bartholomew County residents.

During the summertime, many local families will make day trips to the site to escape their everyday busyness and take in nature's beauty.

Unfortunately, time and time again, the county park near the Bartholomew-Decatur County line has also seen its fair share of vandalism.

The amount of damage done to the park's amenities in recent years partially led to the creation of the county's first full-time park superintendent position in 2020. Upon the hiring of Rich Day to the job, he announced that major efforts were to be made to fix up, and maintain, Anderson Falls' facilities.

After months of hard work, the project was set to reach completion last week - until a group of hooligans spoiled it for everyone.

On June 15, Day discovered that the park's restrooms, which had undergone major fixes, had been broken into and covered with spray-painted graffiti. Photos taken by county parks personnel also revealed numerous rocks, trees, benches and other items vandalized.

When Day tried to investigate further, he couldn't get a clear answer as to when the vandalism occurred - making it even tougher to pinpoint any suspects.

After immediately notifying the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department about the incident, Day said he was told by a deputy that the department would try to get more officers to patrol the area.

It's impossible to stop vandalism entirely, but the county needs to address the issues immediately.

One option may be to install cameras in the area so faces and license plates can be recorded in the event that vandalism does occur. If a suspect is caught and convicted, fewer vandals will be brave enough to cause damages.

Sheriff's deputies can't be expected to spend too much time patrolling the area, as it's in a secluded area in the corner of the county that's largely quiet most weeks.

Action can and should be taken to help keep Anderson Falls a place that everyone wants to visit.

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