Weekly Columns
Even though Governor Hutchinson has begun the process of reopening Arkansas, that doesn't mean things will immediately return to normal. Doctors and nurses on the front lines of COVID-19 relief still need vast amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) for their daily work, and rural health clinics performing elective procedures and other services will also have an increased need for PPE.
Adjusting to the new normal of social isolation hasn't been easy, and we've all had to make sacrifices to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy. But even though many of us are staying home, that doesn't mean you have to stay inside! There's a reason Arkansas is the Natural State, and you can enjoy a lot of that natural beauty from your own yard.
These days, reading the news is sobering at best. News of COVID-19 spreading across the world, infecting friends and loved ones, and causing economic instability is all over the headlines. However, even in these uncertain times, I've also heard so many stories about Arkansan communities coming together to support and care for each other.
With Governor Hutchinson's announcement that all schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year, I know many of you are looking for ways to occupy your children. There's a variety of resources available both online and on public broadcast, and I encourage you to take advantage of the extra time at home to explore some new activities.
Ever since Congress passed the $2 trillion CARES Act, I know many of you have had questions about what this bill means for you, your families and your businesses. I hosted a telephone town hall to hear from you and answer your questions. UAMS Chancellor Dr. Cam Patterson and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Mike Preston joined me on the call, providing helpful insight and resources.
As the U.S. grapples with containing COVID-19, Congress has been working to provide emergency funding for research, relief efforts, small businesses, unemployed workers and more. Phase III of the funding plan, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed the House and Senate the week of March 22. It's not a perfect bill, but the CARES Act goes a long way in aiding those most affected by COVID-19.
COVID-19 is presenting many unique challenges to American families, lawmakers, state and local officials, businesses and many others. These are uncharted waters for all of us, and it's important we remain united and work together to care for our friends and loved ones.
As Coronavirus continues spreading across the U.S., I urge everyone to exercise caution and work to protect your own health and the health of your friends and family. Many of you have called or written to me asking for more information, so Congressman French Hill and I hosted a telephone town hall to answer questions. Dr. Nate Smith from the Arkansas Department of Health joined us on the line, and his advice was so valuable.
The best ways to protect yourself and others from sickness are to thoroughly and regularly wash your hands, avoid touching your face, sanitize doorknobs, phones, keyboards and other commonly used surfaces and stay home if you're feeling sick. Even as Coronavirus (also referred to as COVID-19) dominates news headlines, these commonsense measures are still the best way to guard against getting sick.
Over the decades, government leaders have handed down various decisions about what people can and cannot do before certain ages. For example, young people can't drive before 16, vote until 18, or buy alcohol before 21. Now we're starting to see a surge in unsafe tobacco products form addictions in youth, and I'm encouraged to see this administration taking action to curb systemic issues. Unfortunately, H.R. 2339, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone's (D-N.J.) "Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019," is not the answer we need, for several reasons.