Team,

COVID-19 has upended life for so many of us, and I’ve lost friends to this virus. While national attention has turned towards reopening, Arkansas is starting to see another COVID surge and the numbers are not looking good:

Arkansas has the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country and we’re delivering vaccines at one of the lowest rates. Only 35% of Arkansans are fully vaccinated, and we have to get that number up if we’re going to be able to combat the extremely contagious Delta variant.

98% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Arkansas are made up of unvaccinated people.

Studies have shown the vaccines are highly safe and effective at preventing severe cases of coronavirus and hospitalizations. If the virus continues to spread unchecked we’ll see more lives lost, and Arkansas’s economic recovery will be delayed.

COVID-19 has had a major impact on all of us, especially those in rural and underserved communities. We owe it to ourselves, to our loved ones, and to our communities to get vaccinated and keep each other safe. I want to share some things that we can all do right now to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19:

• GET VACCINATED. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get your vaccine, that time is now. Vaccines are proven to be safe and effective at saving not just your own life, but the lives of those you care about. You can find vaccination locations in Arkansas by clicking here.


• Educate yourself and your loved ones about the research surrounding the vaccines and the risks of COVID-19. Keep up to date with CDC safety recommendations and masking guidelines in your city/town.


• Talk to your friends and family about the vaccine. Understand their perspective if they're still hesitant about the vaccine. Share some of the information you’ve learned about the safety of vaccines and engage with them in a way that’s compassionate and respectful.

Thank you for taking care of your community,

Chris Jones