Could Sloane Brown help cure loneliness?

What an amazing coincidence! A Q&A with Baltimore’s “social maven” and a commentary on how loneliness is a national epidemic were published on the same day (“Loneliness is a national epidemic. Here’s what we can do about it.” Sept. 22).

Sloane Brown is our social expert, and her suggestions on how to enjoy Baltimore’s galas, fundraisers, parties and events will be a feature in The Baltimore Sun (“Setting the scene: Q&A with Sloane Brown, Baltimore’s social maven and Sun columnist,” Sept. 22). It is so important to be with other people and find ways to make new acquaintances. But that’s easier said than done. You can spend a fortune on tickets to galas, attend fundraisers and scope out interesting events, but one still returns home alone. Today’s culture is isolated and isolating. I hope Brown understands that.

K. Ward Cummings’ commentary illustrates the “national epidemic” of loneliness and hopefully Brown will read his information. He points out that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recognized “this country is in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness” and it shows no sign of abating. So glad I’m not the only one often feeling alone in spite of volunteering, and attending events and local gatherings.

I believe there are several reasons for the loneliness epidemic. There is way too much competing for our time, as clubs and affinity groups have disappeared, and church attendance has withered. Years ago, I was a member of Baltimore’s Women’s Civic League. Today, their headquarters on Front Street is abandoned. Volunteering, while being a great experience, doesn’t make a person feel “part of the club.” And don’t get me started on the internet, social media, cellphones, YouTube and video games. It is so easy to get lost in cyberspace and ask, “Where did the day go?”

Loneliness has been used as punishment, too — solitary confinement and banishment come to mind. It’s been said loneliness is a health hazard, and I’ve seen many examples of this. Buying tickets to trendy galas and subscribing to the symphony or theater are not cures. So, I look forward to Brown’s weekly column. She has a great opportunity to make meaningful contributions to our lives.

— Rosalind Heid, Baltimore

OSHA: Recognizing the rights of Baltimore’s youngest workers

With the school year back in full swing in Baltimore, many teenagers are hitting the books during the day and working after school and on weekends (“Cellphone distraction a top concern as Maryland students return to school,” Aug. 26).

As parents, teachers and community members, we all want to ensure that teens in our communities have safe, healthy jobs that don’t hinder their educational opportunities.

Teenagers have the same rights as all other workers — the right to a safe workplace, job safety training, required safety and personal protective equipment, the right to ask workplace safety and health-related questions and speak up without fear, and the right to file complaints.

The first job for many young workers is in the restaurant industry, especially fast-food establishments. Restaurants and other retail businesses rank high among U.S. industries for risk of adolescent worker injuries. It is the responsibility of restaurant and all employers to provide a safe workplace for teens and all workers.

Learn more about workplace rights for teens at osha.gov/young-workers. By staying informed and raising awareness of federal safety and health laws, we can all ensure that teens in the Baltimore area have good, safe jobs.

— Nadira Janack, Linthicum

The writer is director of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Hogan’s own transit plans crashed and burned

I think former Gov. Larry Hogan’s acumen on public transit and his opinion on the merits of the proposed Red Line should be judged on his record while in office (“Crossing a Red Line: Will Maryland’s next senator be invested in Baltimore?” Sept. 26).

Particularly his expenditure of public funds on the Baltimore Link system which was imposed on the Baltimore metro area in June 2017. Its failure is so undisputed that anti-transit correspondents like Harvey Schwartz, Randolph O’Toole and Martin Sadowski are advocating revamping Baltimore’s bus lines yet again in 2024 in lieu of Gov. Wes Moore’s commitment to building an east-west light rail line.

In this light, Hogan is the modern-day equivalent of William Beckford (1760-1844), an eccentric tower builder whose structures invariably collapsed. At least Beckford went bankrupt spending his own money, not ours.

— Paul R. Schlitz Jr., Baltimore