Today, July 29, 2021, Governor Asa Hutchinson declared a public health emergency for the next 60 days amid rising COVID numbers, especially the Delta variant, in the State of Arkansas. In making the declaration he also announced that he is calling the General Assembly back for a special session to consider repeal of all or some of Act 1002 that prohibits government entities and public schools from implementing mask mandates. Pressure has been mounting to do something with schools slated to start the new year in just a couple of weeks at the same time the state is at a standstill with COVID vaccinations and seeing an alarming rise in cases. The numbers for today are certainly alarming: 2,843 new cases; 1,055 COVID patients in Arkansas hospitals with 219 on ventilators. 95% of hospitalized patients with COVID are non-vaccinated. It is our understanding that an effort will be made to amend Act 1002 to at least restore local decision-making to school boards. Now might be a very good time to contact YOUR state senator and representative and urge them to take action to save lives.
In related news, AMS has been awarded a $1.5 million (over 3 years) COVID Immunization grant from the Arkansas Department of Health. This could not come at a better time. The grant will be used for public education and promotion of the COVID vaccines, community vaccine events, support for physician clinics in obtaining and delivering vaccines to their patients, and will also include grants to clinics to help purchase any needed equipment. More on this at a later date.
