Sue Mailman
Updated: April 27, 2020
Viewpoint
We need a free press and equitable technology access
By Sue Mailman
WBJ Editor Brad Kane and I were bantering a couple of weeks over an upcoming issue. Heed my advice! Don’t banter with Brad. You may get asked to do an article! I’m inclined to say yes when people ask for something because I’m aware of asking people to do things, usually for Worcester, and I find they mostly say yes, too!
Immediately, as our pandemic unfolded I found myself in a frenzied search for information! What would this mean for family or my business, already in a challenging position this year? What about colleagues in industry? What about policy? How would government respond? It was day 2 or 3 of the pandemic, and I noticed Worcester Business Journal took down its paywall. “Wonderful!” I thought! I worried, though, it is already difficult for local publications. In Worcester, we have watched the slow demise of our daily paper, and we have watched journalists we trust lose their jobs. We need a free press.
My family has tuned in nightly to the 5 p.m. briefings by Mayor Joseph Petty and City Manager Edward Augustus and Dr. Michael Hirsh. I trust them. I believe they are telling me what they know to be true. Within the next 30 minutes, we watch President Donald Trump. I do not believe him. I really only want to listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx. Then I want to find other news sources to help me determine the best path forward. A variety of news outlets enriches us and is the key to educating ourselves.
The other issue I’ve thought about daily is equity. Equity as it relates to access to technology for education and employment. Many Worcester Public School students, and even college students, don’t have devices at home, or even at school. Have you ever tried to read a document on a phone? Some have devices but no internet access. Everyone is on the hunt for hot spots, because our community values equitable access to education. Technology access and proficiency is critical for our students and future workforce.
This pandemic has forced many employers to have people go home to do their jobs. At my company we did not have anyone without internet access, but I know other employers who have employees with access issues. In the future, work from home options may grow, as the pandemic propelled employers to get comfortable with WFH. Our nation’s severe job losses would have been even more severe if these options weren’t available.
I worry about people who have lost jobs. Do they have a solid internet connection in order to file for unemployment? The unemployment system has been overloaded. Someone with poor access has to go somewhere to connect. Job hunting is an online experience. If you do not have adequate internet access, how do you search?
I’m sure I’m not alone feeling overwhelmed at the profound issues we are discussing. My hope is this crisis will propel us to make true change such as we become a nation once again valuing a free press, figuring out how to pay for it, and giving equitable access to technology.
That’s it, Brad! Don’t ask me to do this again!
Sue Mailman is the owner of Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Inc. & Coghlin Network Services Inc. in Worcester.
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