Maria Horn

I had several reasons this week to be reminded of how we take care of each other in our towns, even when it isn’t immediately apparent. 

Back at the end of October, Representative Jahana Hayes sent me a challenge, which I immediately and publicly accepted, making an appointment to give blood at Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall through the American Red Cross.

The election is now behind us, though we are still waiting for the national results.  Here in the 64th District, and throughout the country, we saw historic turnout. 

With the election only a few days away, I was reflecting on how many weekly videos and newsletters I’ve done over the course of the last two years.

It’s Purple Thursday today, and I’m wearing purple to celebrate survivors of domestic violence and highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

At an event in Torrington this week, a colleague told me that her doctor recently prescribed “less news” as a path to better health. He emphasized that, at times, “news” can be a toxic substance.

As Connecticut entered Phase 3 of the re-opening process this week, we are also seeing a slight uptick in infection rates in certain parts of the state.  It’s a false choice to suggest that we must choose between the economy and public health: we must do both.  We need to protect public health in order to rebuild consumer confidence, and we need to nurture economic growth in order to ensure that CT residents have the financial resources necessary for their physical and emotional well-being.  It is a complex balancing act, and requires looking hard at the effects of our policies. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Before I was elected in 2018, I was a volunteer, a board member, and eventually a Board Chair at Women’s Support Services (WSS) in Sharon.  WSS’s mission is to create a community free of domestic violence and abuse through intervention, prevention, and education.