Take every precaution

As a parent, health-care executive, and a member of the Little Rock School District Community Advisory Board, I would like to implore all of us to please take seriously all the health directives and guidelines from the experts at the Arkansas Department of Health.

As our state takes the big step of reopening our schools, who are the most at-risk? Our elderly family members, friends, and neighbors, especially grandparents acting as guardians of school-aged children.

Children may be less likely to be hospitalized with symptoms from covid-19. They are more likely to have a mild or asymptomatic infection, meaning that the virus may go undetected. They can act as carriers, bringing the virus home to prey on those more vulnerable, including seniors with underlying medical conditions, such as obesity, asthma, and diabetes.

According to the AARP, in Arkansas,

33,618 grandparents report that they are responsible for grandchildren living with them, including 22 percent living in poverty.

Until now, grandparents raising kids had less exposure because school closures helped keep children clear of the virus. With kids going back to school and mingling with others, please wear a mask, practice physical distancing and wash your hands several times during the day. Our grandparents deserve as much.

Covid-19 could have lasting effects. We are all in this together. If we don’t protect our health and the health of our loved ones, who will? LaSHANNON SPENCER

Little Rock LaShannon Spencer is CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas.