State’s collective risk

Science magazine anticipates opposition to a hoped-for vaccine to covid-19—still another challenge to containing our out-of-control pandemic and its unnecessary deaths and disruptions. The expected resistance derives from lack of trust in authorities and expertise that has hindered public health responses from the outset, fostered in some nations and states by leaders who openly doubt evidence and dismiss science.

In Arkansas as elsewhere, we have been fostering distrust by failing to confront issues and data frankly. For example, state officials have denied climate change, an even larger threat than novel viruses.

Rather than forcefully taking protective actions provided by law and historical practice, the governor until recently only reported covid-19’s daily progressive sickening, weakening, and killing of the unlucky and vulnerable. Suggestions alone of ways to lessen these avoidable losses don’t seem effective enough. Past campaigns against health menaces have harnessed education and persuasion through media with slogans and celebrity endorsements—short of imposing legally enforceable edicts (which sometimes are indicated).

Relaxing social restrictions and sending children back to school without extensive preventive measures— while infections accelerate—seem to portend still wider transmission. Thanks to Walmart and other firms for sound business decisions to at least partially protect their customers and employees and indirectly their community.

Among conflicting messages of political leaders, one is: We are on our own as individuals about what to believe and how to protect ourselves. Those of us who can correctly judge sound information and who can heed recommendations have an advantage in surviving the virus.

Meanwhile, the collective risk to the state increases with the proportion of risk-takers who disregard best practices and (evolving) evidence. Our fate is our own doing as a people.

JIM WOHLLEB Little Rock