Weekly Columns
Some people say we’re products of our environment. I only hope that’s true for me. I’ve been blessed to spend my whole life here in the Natural State, hunting, fishing and enjoying the beauty of our wildlife. Since June is National Great Outdoors Month, I encourage you to use this time to explore new parks, lakes or hiking trails with friends and family.
Regulations and safety precautions surrounding COVID-19 had a dramatic impact on the U.S. economy. Millions of Americans lost their jobs, and Arkansan small businesses had to quickly adjust to reduced hours, curbside pickup or delivery services and a smaller workforce. Now, as states reopen, we are all watching to see what happens next.
Millions of small businesses across America have been impacted by COVID-19, and Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to assist them through the crisis. As of May 23, 40,329 Arkansas businesses had received a total of $3,286,789,662 in PPP funds. These businesses have been able to use the forgivable loans to maintain payroll, cover operating expenses and more.
We are blessed to live in a free country, but that freedom doesn’t come without a price. Every year, Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to remember our fallen heroes and reflect on all that they sacrificed for our country. While many of us can’t gather in person this year, that shouldn’t stop us from taking time to honor the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
When COVID-19 first began to spread, I don’t think any of us could have predicted just how catastrophic it would become. After more than two months of shelter in place protocols, almost 40 million Americans have lost their jobs and don’t know what the future holds.
With all eyes focused on COVID-19 relief efforts, it’s easy to lose sight of others in our health care system, those with chronic illnesses or underlying medical issues. One particular group in need of assistance is veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and are suffering from severe illnesses as a result.
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.