The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Gov. Asa Hutchinson to extend eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to judges, prosecutors, jurors and some other court personnel, declaring them essential workers.
"These essential justice-system workers have placed themselves in harm's way for nearly a year, with severe consequences," Chief Justice Dan Kemp wrote in the order.
But the governor says they will have to wait their turn.
Right, Arkansas allows those age 65 or over and workers in several fields, including education, law enforcement, health care and food processing.
But government workers, however essential, don't yet make the cut.
Should they?
Well, the criminal justice system in Arkansas has been affected by the pandemic. Virtual hearings take care of a lot of court business, but jury trials have come to a halt. That affects not only court personnel, but defendants and their families who must to wait longer than they would for a final outcome with no certainty about when trials can begin.
But should that put them ahead of other government workers who must deal with the public on a daily basis? Haven't they "placed themselves in harm's way for nearly a year" as well? For that matter, haven't workers in private businesses?
We have to side with the governor on this. Judges and others in the justice system are important, but we don't see how they are at the top of the ladder. Hutchinson has an orderly vaccination plan and the state's highest court should respect that. When more vaccine is available, there will be more eligibility.