Governor’s take on masks not right one for Arkansas

In the June 14 Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, there appeared a quote from Gov. Hutchinson wherein he rejected mandating the use of masks, saying that requiring citizens to wear face masks is “just not Arkansas” and entirely unenforceable. As our governor, I would think he would do whatever he could to prevent the passing of the virus on to someone else, and to say that the choice is up to the individual leaves the door open for many to say “no” to masks.

I suppose it is possible he doesn’t realize just how important wearing a mask is in that it helps prevent you from passing the virus on to someone else by coughing, sneezing or even a loud conversation. Even if you don’t’ have symptoms you can still pass it on. For example, if you were visiting an elderly relative, most would want to take every precaution to prevent infecting a loved one.

The purchase of a mask is easy and inexpensive, and the way it alters your appearance is really a vanity issue and not a good reason to decline this precaution. I worry that one reason the governor takes such a position is to make sure Trump, who doesn’t wear a mask, knows that he is still on his side. We already know how closely Hutchinson is tied to Trump for political reasons and he might be worried that if he issued an order advocating the wearing of a mask Trump might look on him with disfavor. Most politicians would look on this as a plus!

How would corporations thinking about moving to Arkansas react to such comments? What does Hutchinson’s statements say about Arkansans? It would not appear to be complimentary.

The governor’s statement that requiring people to wear face masks is entirely unenforceable is almost as troubling. It’s like saying that even though such a requirement may be good advice, why go to the trouble of passing such a law if some will elect to violate it. However, if you assume that most citizens are law abiding and would go along with the requirement, why not give it a try? What have you got to lose? The fact that wearing mask may save another person’s life should be reason enough.

Another black mark on the governor’s resume is his continuing to push to reopen the state’s economy, despite record increases in the virus, especially in Northwest Arkansas. This is another example of supporting Trump’s misguided idea that the virus is under control. I suppose he is gambling that Trump will win re-election and wants to remain his buddy, but as time goes by this appears to be quite a gamble, and in the meantime causes the loss of life of additional Arkansans to the pandemic. BASS TRUMBO

Fayetteville