Not the state I know

Arkansas has been my home for all of my 47 years. In that time, I have developed a strong sense of loyalty to the state and its people. We have all heard the hillbilly jokes, watched the lightnin’ bugs on summer nights, rooted for the Razorbacks, and sat on the tailgate with our friends and family on a Saturday night. These same friends and family have been there for us: They bring us food when we’re sick, take care of our kids, drive across town, the state, or the country if need be just to help us out.

We still have pie auctions when someone needs help. We stop in the middle of the road and help strangers fix flat tires. We go out of our way to get grandma’s groceries or take her to get her hair done. We are not selfish. We are not uncompassionate people. That’s who we are.

In this country and our state, we have seen a terrible situation develop over the past several months. Every day in Arkansas more and more people are succumbing to this threat. We do not have the power to eradicate it, but we know of a couple of things that will help to keep our Arkansans and other Americans safe. Wouldn’t you do anything in the world to protect your friends and family? Wouldn’t you be sick if it meant your child didn’t have to be? Let’s remind ourselves of the lengths that we would go to to save someone’s life.

Now, when we know that there is something we can do to potentially save someone illness or death that is such a minor inconvenience, why are we so stubborn that we can’t manage to use our brains and our hearts to protect ourselves and others? That’s not us, Arkansas.

ELIZABETH WATKINS

Bentonville