A Rutledge report

Is isolation advice only for Democrats?

Count us among the slightly confused when it comes to advice out of Little Rock about testing for covid-19.

Concerned about the ebbs and flows of testing, Dr. José Romero, secretary of Health, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson have im- plored Arkansans to be tested. Romero encouraged residents to get tested to ensure the state has the data to make “an adequate forecast, an adequate idea of what the numbers of cases and the prevalence is in your county, and especially for the schools.”

Sounds more like a bean-counting bureaucrat that a physician. Don’t people need to go take a covid-19 test when they have a reason to, beyond the need for more data points? We’re thinking more along the lines of them feeling sick or having come in contact with someone who was sick.

Then they warn everyone that when they get tested, they need to stay in quarantine until the results come back. Fair enough. Then Romero “clarifies” that “even if you have a negative test, you’re still going to be in isolation” for 14 days. Huh? Unfortunately for Romero, such questions came the same day reporters asked about Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who rubbed shoulders with fellow Republicans at President Trump’s White House speech Thursday night. At least in her photos with other GOP faithful, Rutledge wore no mask and didn’t observe social distancing. Hutchinson recalled how he had to be tested last time he went to the White House. The implication? Maybe that happened with Rutledge, too. It’s important to set the right example, Hutchinson said.

Based on Romero’s advice, shouldn’t Rutledge isolate not only until she gets a test result but for the full 14 days after the test? Do Republicans invited to the White House have some immunity to covid-19 the rest of America doesn’t have?

Covid-19 is a mysterious disease, but it’s doubtful it chooses only Democrats to infect. If we’re looking for examples, Rutledge’s isn’t the one to emulate.