Eric Johnson is absolutely right that remote access to the state’s legislative process is an huge benefit derived from COVID, and it should become a normal part of operations. It is not only the North Country that would benefit – informed citizenry should be encouraged on principle, and now we have a wonderful new tool in Zoom. Let’s us it.

“The Commission to Study Telehealth Services…only meets in person in Concord …” seems more than a little ridiculous. This would be a REALLY good place to start!

And while political activity needs to be opened up to everyone, so also does healthcare access. That is especially true with so much of southern New Hampshire recently being overtaken by Massachusetts hospitals – telehealth was absolutely wonderful while it existed, making possible “visits” that could not have happened without it. COVID is not the only barrier to Boston consults – getting there for a simple 15-minute maintenance visit costs an entire day for at least some of us, and it’s a particularly unpleasant one. Not only did telehealth allow us a consult without the drive/public transport and exhaustion, the doctor in question seemed more at ease in that setting. Making provisions for cross-border coordination of licensing would be a HUGE benefit.