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If you want to witness effective leadership during this pandemic, look to these six governors, among many others: Gov. Dewine of Ohio (Republican), Gov. Cuomo of New York (Democrat), Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland (Republican), Gov. Gavin Newsom of California (Democrat), Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusets (Repubublican) and Gov. Tim Walz (Democrat). Taking seriously the medical and scientific community, these governors do not engage in wishful thinking. They are honest and direct about what is happening. They have press conferences where they answer the questions without attacking or belittling the press. Most importantly, they own their role as ones in authority, and they are working cooperatively with their neighbors, regardless of whether they are of the same political party or not. I celebrate this exemplary leadership, which gives me confidence that they intend the best for their constituents. All of them are experiencing very high approval ratings.

The following values still matter: honesty, kindness, truthfulness, respect, humility, treating others with dignity, empathy and compassion. Leading out with insults, belittling comments, constant accusations, telling lies about others is unbecoming of a national leader, especially the leader of the free world.

We will survive this pandemic, but it is going to take more time than any of us want to give. We are faced with going down the painful path of balancing between a potential economic depression and a very high death rate. Our health system has finite resources, and if we push too hard to reopen, these resources can be compromised. At the same time people are desperate to pay their mortgages and keep food on the table. Governors are getting pushback as they attempt this balancing act.

A crucial problem is we still don’t know enough about COVID-19 ­— too many questions go unanswered. In some letters to the editor, one hears that the governor should speed up the opening of businesses. The governors mentioned above are seeking to slowly expand the opening process. Yet, just today, May 11, South Korea reported a new outbreak, the same occurring in China. We cannot let our guard down.

We can’t make it either/or; either we open everything up or keep everything closed down.

We need to make it both/and, both opening some places and keeping others closed down.

We test the waters and see how it goes. I think a floodgate of openings would be disastrous.

I think all the governors are taking the both/and path. I pray that a full measure of wisdom would be with them as they make their difficult decisions informed by the scientific world.

Joel B. Erickson

Albert Lea