Listen to the experts
Please consider that when the majority of scientists who specialize in some specific area reach consensus, they are probably right.
As late as March of this year, I overheard dozens of discussions and random comments about how "this virus thing" was overblown if not an outright hoax. It should be clear by now that many of us weren't paying attention to people with the expertise to know what they were talking about.
The same thing happened some years ago when most people dismissed early reports by scientists who studied the effects of tobacco. It happened again when responsible researchers began to warn us about how salt, sugar, and fat in our processed foods could damage our health. Global warming? Yes, that too.
Most of us are listening now about covid-19. And most of us wish we and our government had listened to "those so-called experts" sooner.
CHARLEY SANDAGE
Mountain View
Socially responsible
Listening to that ol' lamestream media tonight, but in the process of undergoing a CNN brainwashing, I thought I heard a strong argument to the effect that "everyone in the U.S. must get into the stay-at-home, group-avoiding, and 6-foot-distance mode as soon as possible."
Unless a vaccine comes along tomorrow (literally, tomorrow) this horrible future scenario may ensue: Folks from a minimally affected area, maybe a western state, have put off seriously enforcing the social isolation thing because among other things it's inconvenient and hurts business. Then someone visits the western state from New Orleans, where (let's speculate) after almost three months of social isolation and economic recession the covid problem seems to be coming under control. The visitor happens to shed prodigious covid particles in the western state that leads to, you know, big problems, and consequently the people of the western state implement meaningful public health mandates, etc., and batten down for their own 2½ months of social isolation, etc. Now, under that circumstance, can N'Orlans folks really afford to come out of quarantine, etc., or would it be prudent not to, since the city could be re-infected by a visitor from the western state and experience "the steep curve" again, and then re-undergo quarantine? For how long this time?
Socially responsible behavior is urgently necessary everywhere, and unless individuals in our states, cities, and towns unite in this fight, the pandemic will be prolonged.
CHARLES MALLORY
Little Rock
More shopping time
What 30-year-old decided that us elderly should be confined to shopping one hour a day? Do they not know the demographics? We are about 25 percent of the population. Additionally, likely the same percentage of them are taking sleeping pills. Not wise to get up extra early and drive under the influence. And what other pill is in use, again likely by a quarter of that population? A "water" pill, the results of which confines one to the house until its effects lessen. Then add to that our diabetic population who should not leave without eating breakfast.
So the 30-year-old who decided this sure is not in touch with their "aunties" or the reality of life as an elder. If we are a quarter of the population, give us proportional shopping time that we can use.
CYNTHIA B. SKINNER
Jacksonville
Gross inaccuracies
I appreciate the frank dissemination of information we citizens receive from our governor. I am deeply concerned that the White House is spinning a fairy tale on how well the current testing programs are going in the U.S. It is not going well in Arkansas and surrounding states. I have written the following to the president:
"Just started listening to your Monday, 3/30, press conference. Arkansas and surrounding states do not have adequate testing material. It is impossible for me (an ardent supporter) to take you seriously. You and your advisers are reporting how well the U.S. is doing on testing. It is not going well in our state. We have no clear idea how widespread covid-19 is in our state because we cannot adequately test. I am utterly disappointed. I have turned off your press conference and am not sure I will listen again as I have been doing daily. How can I believe anything being said?"
This American can respond to any crisis realistically presented. But when gross inaccuracies are incorporated into the narrative, the whole becomes intolerable.
BETTY BECKHAM
Monticello
Shows an indifference
Tom Cotton: I received your office's memo concerning the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and I noticed that your staffers used the term "China virus."
This kind of incompetence is the very reason we're seeing so much anti-government sentiment. The public's growing dissatisfaction with how our tax dollars are spent might suggest better care be taken when employing people to use language to communicate information. If nothing else, it shows an indifference for the true spirit of the message, if not an outright disregard for the seriousness of the matter. It's a bad look.
I would hope to learn that my federal delegation is working to constantly improve the competency of their operation.
KRIS TYLER
Rogers
Editorial on 04/01/2020