I think often of what a privilege it is to live in the most vaccinated county in the most vaccinated state in the union. We have many good institutions and leaders to thank for that status — our schools and churches, Middlebury College, our governor and legislators, our fine health care system.

But as I look around America at the endless nonsense and propaganda that clouds many minds, I am particularly grateful for the fact that each week the Independent provides all of us with news that we have come to trust. That trust means that most of us masked up when we were asked, and got our shots when the moment arrived. It literally has saved many lives this past year, and we shouldn’t ever take it for granted.

Thanks for the hard work over many years that has built that trust, and for your ongoing efforts that I am sure will maintain it.

Bill McKibben

Ripton