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By now you have the details on yesterday's Arkansas Legislative Council stunt.
Here's a quick recap and why each member of "The Coughing Caucus" should really reconsider their effort to block funding to stop the spread of Covid in Arkansas. https://arkansascovid.com/2020/07/the-coughing-caucus-and-their-attempt-to-make-arkansas-sick-again/
Here's a quick recap and why each member of "The Coughing Caucus" should really reconsider their effort to block funding to stop the spread of Covid in Arkansas. https://arkansascovid.com/2020/07/the-coughing-caucus-and-their-attempt-to-make-arkansas-sick-again/
Shenanigans were unleashed at yesterday’s Arkansas Legislative Council, where a group of legislators refused to allow the council to hear a proposal to allocate funding to improve contact tracing, particularly among the hard-hit Hispanic and Marshallese communities in the state.
The federally-funded proposal (no state dollars) would enact recommendations made by the CDC after a team studied the outbreak in Northwest Arkansas. The effort would help communities fight Covid, not just in Northwest Arkansas, but around the state.
I tend to stay out of politics here. It’s pretty easy for me because I don’t have a dog in the fight. I’ve got an old-school Arkansas independent streak running through me a mile wide.
Democrat? Republican? Don't care as long as your interest lies in making our state and the community you represent a place of equity, health, and opportunity for all those who live in it.
The shenanigans yesterday fly in the face of those 3 values – equity, health, opportunity.
The shenanigans yesterday fly in the face of those 3 values – equity, health, opportunity.
I call them shenanigans, Bob Ballinger called them games. “I’m playing this game,” Bob tweeted this morning, referring to his battle against the governor’s effort to use federal funds to stop the spread of Covid.
To Bob, his power play against @AsaHutchinson is more important than your health, than my life, than the lives of his own constituents. You know this isn’t a game. But Bob and 14 members of the Arkansas House are treating the lives of their constituents like a game of Monopoly.
So, which 14 legislators voted against the effort to keep Arkansans from getting Covid?
We have one from the city with the most total infections, one repping the city with highest % of its population infected, and one from a county with a high % of its population over age 65.
We have one from the city with the most total infections, one repping the city with highest % of its population infected, and one from a county with a high % of its population over age 65.
We’ll start with the Northwest Arkansas legislators whose communities will lose the most from this vote. By the way, the article linked above includes the email address for each of these legislators.
Robin Lundstrum ( @RobinLundstrum)
At least 147 people have died of Covid and 9,662 people have been infected in the two counties in which Robin’s district lies (Benton and Washington). 1,066 are sick right now with Covid.
At least 147 people have died of Covid and 9,662 people have been infected in the two counties in which Robin’s district lies (Benton and Washington). 1,066 are sick right now with Covid.
The two counties led the state in new cases almost every day for more than a month. Robin also represents part of Springdale, which has had more cases than any other city in the state (3,653) and is ground zero for one of (if not the) highest death rate(s) in the state.
Jim Dotson ( @RepJimDotson)
At least 49 people have died and 4,126 have been infected in the county where Jim’s district lies (Benton). More than 450 people are currently ill.
Jim’s district centers around Bentonville, where at least 7 people have died and 283 have been infected.
At least 49 people have died and 4,126 have been infected in the county where Jim’s district lies (Benton). More than 450 people are currently ill.
Jim’s district centers around Bentonville, where at least 7 people have died and 283 have been infected.
Charlene Fite ( @charlenefitear)
Charlene’s district lies in parts of Washington and Crawford counties. At least 61 people have died in these 2 counties, and 5,965 have become ill. More than 700 are currently ill. Crawford County has seen 50 new infections over the past 2 days.
Charlene’s district lies in parts of Washington and Crawford counties. At least 61 people have died in these 2 counties, and 5,965 have become ill. More than 700 are currently ill. Crawford County has seen 50 new infections over the past 2 days.
Ken Bragg
Ken is from Grant County, where 100 people have been infected and the active case count in Grant County has doubled in the past 2 weeks.
Ken is from Grant County, where 100 people have been infected and the active case count in Grant County has doubled in the past 2 weeks.
LeAnne Burch ( @BurchForAR)
LeAnne is from Drew County, where 2 people have died, and Monticello, which has had 65+ cases. There have been 126 cases in Drew County, 34 of which are currently ill with Covid.
Bonus: LeAnne serves on the House Committee for Aging, Children and Youth
LeAnne is from Drew County, where 2 people have died, and Monticello, which has had 65+ cases. There have been 126 cases in Drew County, 34 of which are currently ill with Covid.
Bonus: LeAnne serves on the House Committee for Aging, Children and Youth
Andy Davis ( @AndyDavis_AR)
At least 4,884 people have become infected from Covid in the two counties in which Andy’s district lies (Pulaski and Saline). There have been at least 74 deaths in the two counties, and 1,134 are currently considered ill.
At least 4,884 people have become infected from Covid in the two counties in which Andy’s district lies (Pulaski and Saline). There have been at least 74 deaths in the two counties, and 1,134 are currently considered ill.
Lanny Fite
More than 150 people are currently sick and more than 700 people have been infected in the county where Lanny’s district lies (Saline). At least 3 people have died.
More than 150 people are currently sick and more than 700 people have been infected in the county where Lanny’s district lies (Saline). At least 3 people have died.
Mark Lowery ( @OnTheMarkforAR)
There have been at least 71 deaths and more than 4,000 infections in the county (Pulaski) where Mark’s district lies. In particular, Mark’s district includes Maumelle, with at least 153 infections; and part of NLR, with at least 415 infections.
There have been at least 71 deaths and more than 4,000 infections in the county (Pulaski) where Mark’s district lies. In particular, Mark’s district includes Maumelle, with at least 153 infections; and part of NLR, with at least 415 infections.
Ron McNair
At least 7 people have died and more than 400 have become ill from Covid in the two counties (Boone and Carroll) where Ron’s district lies. In Green Forrest, which lies in Ron’s District, 3.5% of the population had been infected as of 2 weeks ago.
At least 7 people have died and more than 400 have become ill from Covid in the two counties (Boone and Carroll) where Ron’s district lies. In Green Forrest, which lies in Ron’s District, 3.5% of the population had been infected as of 2 weeks ago.
At least two Green Forrest residents have died in hospitals in Benton and Washington – total deaths from the city may be higher, as Missouri hospitals more readily able to accept their very ill Covid patients. Active infections have almost tripled in Boone over the last 2 weeks.
John Payton
John’s district includes the town of Higden, which has had a higher percent of its population infected than any other (20% infected). John’s district covers an area that was heavily impacted by the outbreak that led to the state’s first Covid cluster and early deaths
John’s district includes the town of Higden, which has had a higher percent of its population infected than any other (20% infected). John’s district covers an area that was heavily impacted by the outbreak that led to the state’s first Covid cluster and early deaths
Roger Lynch
Roger’s district includes parts of Pulaski, Lonoke, Jefferson, Arkansas and Prairie counties. Looking specifically at Lonoke County, where Roger lives, active infections have nearly doubled in the past 2 weeks. There have been at least 2 deaths from Covid.
Roger’s district includes parts of Pulaski, Lonoke, Jefferson, Arkansas and Prairie counties. Looking specifically at Lonoke County, where Roger lives, active infections have nearly doubled in the past 2 weeks. There have been at least 2 deaths from Covid.
Dan Sullivan ( @SullivanForAR)
Active infections in Craighead County, where Dan’s district lies, have nearly tripled over the past 2 weeks. In total, 8 people have died in the county and 895 people have become ill.
Active infections in Craighead County, where Dan’s district lies, have nearly tripled over the past 2 weeks. In total, 8 people have died in the county and 895 people have become ill.
Jim Wooten
Jim’s district lies primarily in White County, where 189 people have been infected and 2 have died.
Jim’s district lies primarily in White County, where 189 people have been infected and 2 have died.
Nelda Speaks
Active infections in Baxter County, where Nelda’s district lies, have doubled in the past 2 weeks. Nelda’s constituents are at particularly high risk from Covid, as 31% of Baxter County’s population is older than 65 (compared to 17% for the state as a whole).
Active infections in Baxter County, where Nelda’s district lies, have doubled in the past 2 weeks. Nelda’s constituents are at particularly high risk from Covid, as 31% of Baxter County’s population is older than 65 (compared to 17% for the state as a whole).
