OPINION

EDITORIAL: Arkansas' own docs

When it comes to the national effort against this coronavirus pandemic, Americans can (or should) look to Dr. Anthony Fauci. He's a steady hand with decades of experience on infectious diseases. America is lucky to have him, if we could all just listen to him.

But Arkansas has a couple of its own doctors worth listening to in state government. One is Gregory Bledsoe, the state's surgeon general. The other is Nate Smith, the health secretary. Usually, whenever Gov. Asa Hutchinson is at the podium to provide an update on coronavirus numbers, both doctors are the appropriate distance away from him. We try thinking about whether either gentleman thought one minute about such a situation when they took the job.

Last week the surgeon general took to Twitter to paint a realistic and solemn picture. He likened the state's situation to a tsunami.

Nobody is aware of the danger heading their way. That water is about to come back in full force and sweep several out to sea. If folks are lucky, someone might stand up and yell, "Get to higher ground!" Maybe a town bell will ring. But the water is quick, and brings swift death to those who don't heed warnings.

Dr. Bledsoe said he was having a conversation with another physician outside central Arkansas about coronavirus recently. That doctor works in emergency medicine. The two spoke about when the wave of coronavirus patients would hit the state's hospitals. That same doctor later sent Dr. Bledsoe a text message that said, "I'm feeling the water at my toes."

The doctor used the tsunami analogy to point to our current situation. Arkansas hasn't peaked yet, according to the governor. The state still has a little time before that arrives, time to prepare and observe healthy habits.

The state's doctors are warning everyone: This isn't a drill. Pay attention to this social distancing stuff, wash your hands, the whole nine yards. Every person who avoids getting sick is another hospital bed and/or ventilator open for someone who does get sick.

The nation is fortunate to have Dr. Fauci at the helm, just as Arkansans are fortunate to have our own experts guiding policy. Heed their words, and we'll get through this.

Editorial on 03/30/2020

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