CONCORD – In May of this year, Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that almost 80% of the people who have died from COVID in New Hampshire were associated with long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, this number holds true in July. 

It is unconscionable that Gov. Chris Sununu has waited so long to address the basic, science-based precautions such as reviewing and updating ventilation systems in nursing homes – precautions that have been proven to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. 

And, just as the Sununu Administration is only now waking up to the problems with nursing homes, his school reopening plan has no real guidance on the needs of schools and proper ventilation. As we head into the back-to-school stretch, I call on Sununu to address the very real emergency associated with the lack of proper HVAC ventilation systems in our schools.

School districts are being left to fend for themselves with no real guidance or resources. Our elders deserve better, our children deserve better and Granite Staters deserve proactive leadership that will guide us through this crisis and offer proactive solutions to address the inevitable second wave of COVID-19.  

– Andru Volinsky, Executive Councilor and Gubernatorial Candidate