Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2020

Not sure about that since American Lung Association says, “ A cough can travel as fast as 50 mph and expel almost 3,000 droplets in just one go. Sneezes win though — they can travel up to 100 mph and create upwards of 100,000 droplets.” I just want things to make sense and for the government to tell the truth — best they know it — and to track their own evidence and comments. That would help. So, why do I wear a mask? THE GOVERNOR On April 5, Governor Hutchinson encouraged all Arkansans with some exceptions to follow CDC advice to wear a mask. By April 30, all but 8 states had issued some form of state-wide lock down and 3 of those had a lockdown in parts of their state. You may recall that the national media was giving Arkansas and our Governor all kinds of “heck” for not going into a total lock down. I remember it well because the Arkansas HVACR Association was working diligently with ACCA to be sure that the HVACR industry was listed as an essential business. Fortunately, the federal government added our industry to the list and the Governor did not have to. In spite of all the criticism, Governor Hutchinson remained resolute in resisting a lock down. On July 16 th, he issued EO-2043, a mandate to wear a mask. In that mandate, a preamble or Whereas stated, “It is in the best interest of all Arkansans to keep business open and maintain the activities of daily life. Requiring face coverings is a less restrictive mitigation measure that will not only enable the Arkansas economy

to remain open, but also it will reduce the spread of COVID 19.” It is my opinion that I owe it to the Governor to comply with EO-2043 and wear a mask. What if our governor had given in and put us in a total lock down? …a less restrictive mitigation measure that will not only enable the Arkansas economy to remain open, but also it will reduce the spread of COVID 19.” EO-2043 Imagine how much worse it would have been for everyone. So, I wear a mask. I don’t like it and -- • Am not sure how much it helps if any, • Am sick of the mask ticking my nose and making me sneeze, • Having to go back to my car to get the mask when I forget to put it on, • Having my glasses fog over from the warm moist air exiting the mask • Not getting to see facial expressions, • Etc., etc., etc. BUT, I will wear a mask to say thank you to the Governor for not putting us in a lock down. Don’t take this as a kiss -up to the Governor. It is not that. I have had more than one occasion when I felt he should have listened and did not give our industry the ear he should have. BUT, I will wear a mask to say thank you to the Governor for not putting us in a lock down. THANK YOU GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON