The election of 2020 shows that the country is as divided as ever. Healing will take a long time and require a great deal of patience.
Americans currently doubt that either political party is up to the task. The coronavirus, for example, is a stubborn and relentless opponent. A consensus on how to deal with it does not currently exist. We have a difficult time finding the common ground needed to move forward in resolving this and many other issues that face us.
The nation needs a cooling off period. Rational heads must prevail. First of all, we need to get the pandemic under control. We require a national effort that is bipartisan and comprehensive. The time for action is now. If we wait until Jan. 20 for new leadership, it will be too late to save thousands of lives. A lame-duck Congress should show the political courage to set aside their differences and work together to combat this dread disease. Only then will trust in government be restored and the healing process can begin in earnest.
FRANK WARMAN
Hopkinton