A Better Region 8: No plan to slow COVID-19 spread

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Eleven million people have now been infected with the novel coronavirus in the United States.

It took nine months to reach ten million cases and only six days to gain another million.

Let that sink in.

Hospitals in Region 8 and around the nation are at or near capacity.

Already this year, 250,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.

It’s now the third leading cause of death in Arkansas.

From no cases at the start of the year to the third leading cause of death now.

All we hear from our federal and state leaders is wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. But a lot of us don’t seem too interested in doing that.

To make matters worse, there is no plan to stop or even slow the spread of COVID-19.

It’s time for someone in our government to lead at both the federal and state levels.

Too many elected officials are more worried about making voters angry than saving lives.

What we need to do, but don’t want to hear, is that we need to quarantine, forego the extended family Thanksgiving meal, and even those Christmas plans.

The fall surge is here, and we all knew it was coming.

So, where are the plans to keep folks home, educate our children remotely, and financially support those who cannot work because their job or business is closed?

It’s time for leadership.

That means doing what’s right and not what’s going to get you votes in the next election.

Copyright 2020 KAIT. All rights reserved.