As with most people these days, we find it challenging to find anything going on that's not, in some way, related to our region's or our nation's response to the coronavirus. We're certainly getting our fill of information about the pandemic and its impact. But the fact there's so much focus on the virus and its dangers is also a good thing; it means most of us are giving it the attention it deserves. Ignoring it is not at all what the doctor ordered.
But rest assured reading today's "thumbs" presents no dangers involving the virus. You don't even have to hold the newspaper or digital device six feet away.
Wednesday marked the official "Census Day" in the United States. Have you filled yours out yet? We completed ours just the other day in less than 10 minutes. It's really no big deal to fill out, but it's a big deal if you don't. The nation's first census happened back in 1790 and its results were met with skepticism from the likes of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It's gotten so much more complex in the decades since, but the result is a pretty easy effort for each household taking part. For better or worse, a massive amount of federal funding -- and ultimately funding from states and other sources -- relies on the numbers generated in the U.S. Census.
We're glad to hear Lincoln has managed to acquire its own town square. In a bit of a bizarre twist, city officials there discovered early this year that no legal documentation could be found to show Lincoln actually owned the property that had been assumed to be city property for decades. Imagine someone else laying claim to the town square. Thankfully, a court order early last month removed all questions about legal ownership and Lincoln can go back to treating this as the civic space it has been for decades.
We certainly appreciate the unique power of government to get certain things done, particularly at times like these when the nation needs a coordinated emergency response. But it seems there's also frequent evidence that shows how it inexplicably fumbles. For example, a news item the other day explaining that toilets on the U.S. Navy's two newest aircraft carriers clog so frequently that the ships' sewage systems must be cleaned periodically with specialized acids. What's the problem? Those treatments cost about $400,000 per cleaning, according to a congressional audit that outlines $130 billion in unanticipated long-term maintenance costs over the 50-year life expectancy of the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Gerald R. Ford.
How about some hunting or fishing? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's nature and education centers have been forced to close as a result of the coronavirus, but the agency, like so many organizations, has amped up its online presence. Through collaboration among commission staffers, the agency has opened a "virtual nature center" online at www.agfcnaturecenter.com. A word of warning: If you go there with an interest in animals and the outdoors, you might just spend a little more time than planned soaking in some great video content. From fishing basics to "creature features" about snakes to recipes and outdoor skills. A ton of helpful information for learning more about Arkansas and the outdoors.
It's good to hear Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit are continuing to operate. Mass transit naturally seems contrary to the warnings to avoid gathering people out of concern for passing along the coronavirus, but transportation is a vital service. The agencies that run these buses have taken steps to promote social distancing on the buses that might prove an inconvenience to some, but it's better to be inconvenienced than to have no transportation option at all to places such as the grocery store or a doctor's appointment. The best advice is to stay home, but people can't just stay home forever, and these buses give people access to important places and services within the community. Thanks to the drivers for their continued work in helping area residents get where they need to be.
Give’em a thumb
Want to give some brief feedback on news? Someone who deserves a pat on the back? An idea that needs a dose of common sense? Recommend a “Thursday thumb” by calling Greg Harton at (479) 872-5026 or by email at [email protected].
Commentary on 04/02/2020