To the editor:

Kudos to the editorial staff of this newspaper to factually report to its readers the continuous tragedy of the nursing home scandal in this state.

Fortunately, through the courage and efforts of NYS State Attorney Letitia James there may finally be justice in this matter.

One must remember that this issue became problematic with last year's state budget which included a provision significantly limiting the liability of nursing home owners during Covid-19.

It should also be noted that local elected officials voted for this budget fully knowing the existence of this provision and also noted that neither of these officials voice any concerns post-mortem.

Now, thanks to Attorney General James, Assemblyman Kim, State Senator Biaggi, and Janice Dean, Fox News, other elected officials on both parties and at both state and federal levels have come forward to voice concerns and to demand action. It should also be noted the Senate Judiciary Committee is going to question Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland as to where he is on this issue.

An interesting observation in this matter has been the “sounds of silence” from the legal community, unlike their jumping into the fray regarding the sex abuse issue of clergy in the Catholic Church. Shameful!!

What must happen in this matter is as follows:

1) Removal of emergency authority of governor

2) initiation of civil and criminal actions against the governor

For individuals such as Virgin Mielski (my mother-in-law), and the more than fifteen thousand others who didn't have to die and the families of these individuals,

Justice needs to occur.