Shield health workers

The governor has shielded businesses from civil legal liability related to covid-19 if they “are not committing willful, reckless, or intentional misconduct” and they are “presumed” to have not acted so if they substantially comply with health and safety directives or guidelines issued by the governor or the secretary of Health.

When can health-care workers expect an equivalent — but reverse: a shield from those Arkansans who willfully, recklessly or intentionally substantially fail to socially distance and wear face masks?

The governor says the increase in community cases, hospitalizations and deaths is related to increased testing, not reopening the economy. Yet the governor implores Arkansans to show individual personal responsibility and social responsibility by socially distancing and wearing masks when unable to distance so the economy can continue to open. Arkansans aren’t doing so — as evidenced by the data.

Give health-care workers an equivalent shield in reverse and similarly implore infected or asymptomatic Arkansans who fail to wear masks and socially distance to not seek medical treatment for covid-19, or to be prepared to pay the consequences. Because if they do seek treatment, they are willfully, recklessly or intentionally exposing health-care workers.

Perhaps more individual and social responsibility will be had when individuals are civilly liable for damages or injuries they cause health-care workers.

YOLANDA DREHER Little Rock