I’ve been pleased with our state’s process for releasing detailed COVID-19 data regarding cases in our municipalities and counties throughout the pandemic, and like many of you, was taken back by the governor’s announcement earlier this month that the State Department of Health would no longer be releasing this information.

While in the middle of the pandemic, the legislature gave the governor expanded powers so the health department could provide personal health information to first responders and law enforcement officers before possibly coming in contact with someone who has COVID-19. The he...