Editor’s note: During the course of a week, issues are covered that might not lend themselves to full editorial comment, but they are worthy of The Sunday Telegraph weighing in – thumbs up, thumbs down or neutral.

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Thumbs Up AND DOWN – To New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu for ending the mask mandate on Friday. That said, at least Sununu will allow individual communities and businesses to continue the requirement, if they so choose. New Hampshire was the last state in New England to adopt a statewide mask mandate in November and with Friday’s change, will be the first to lift it. In addition to dropping the mask requirement, the state also will eliminate remaining restrictions on businesses and replace industry-specific rules with universal safety recommendations on May 7, Sununu said. While infections have risen throughout the spring, Sununu credited the state’s success in vaccinations for keeping deaths low and hospitalizations at a manageable level. More than 70% of residents age 16 and older have either been vaccinated or have scheduled appointments, said Beth Daly, chief of the state Bureau of Infectious Disease Control. “Everyone is really doing their part to stare down COVID,” said Sununu.

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