Governor Ivy,
Earlier this year, Arkansas signed Act 311, "No Patient Left Alone Act". Under this law, a patient would be allowed to designate at least three support persons, one of which would be allowed with the patient at all times. This would include emergency departments, hospital stays, Healthcare professionals' offices, or hospice care facilities. Act 311 also allows Clergy members to come pray.
I ask that you consider following suit here in Alabama, and doing so as soon as possible. Our loved ones are left in hospital care without an advocate, while hospital staff is overwhelmed. It is cruel to isolate patients from loved ones. Refusing to allow them an advocate could cost them their life.
I am seeing that, many times, families are allowed in the hospital to say "goodbye" to their loved one. While this is an honorable gesture, what is the difference? If a loving wife can enter the hospital to say "goodbye," why can't she go in to say "hello," to encourage, to advocate?
I understand Covid-19 is real, and must be taken seriously. I assure you, loving family members would gladly suit up, wash up, mask up at every visit, if it meant they could see, talk to, and advocate for their loved one.
Please consider this seriously, leaving a patient without an advocate, especially when they are sedated, is extremely detrimental to all who are involved, especially the patient, as it could cost him his life. Please move forward with this as quickly as possible, so no one else has to die alone.