Friday, April 19, 2024

It’s safe to say Americans are unhappy with President Donald Trump’s pandemic response. Because of his ineptitude, the United States was totally unprepared to combat Covid-19. But the administration will do anything to create distractions and allow the blame to be put on someone else, and a perfect example of that is Cambridge-based Philips.

Philips increased ventilator production to meet demand after Trump asked it to. Now the administration is canceling its federal contracts with Philips and making it out to be the problem. Recent news coverage has portrayed Philips in a poor light, but here in Boston, we know its contributions. It’s added more than 1,200 good-paying jobs to Cambridge. It reflects the progressive values of our community – being ranked as the most sustainable Fortune 500 company globally and consistently ranking high in LGBTQ workplace inclusion by the Human Rights Campaign. It’s actively involved with local nonprofits, including East End House and the Cambridge School Volunteers NetPals program.

Philips should not be the fall guy for Trump’s failures. Thankfully, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley always stands up for our community. I know she will keep the heat on the administration instead of letting a Cambridge-based company become the focus in this debate.

Nick Beauchemin, Putnam Avenue