Arkansas is a global hot spot for COVID — so why is the state looking into using hydroxychloroquine instead of following medical advice from the state’s own health experts, the CDC, and the FDA?

On Monday, State Senator Jason Rapert (R-Bigelow) invited Simone Gold and Robin Armstrong to testify to an Arkansas legislative committee about hydroxychloroquine. Gold and Armstrong have both been identified by medical professionals for pushing the unproven drug hydroxychloroquine — even on nursing home patients. Medical experts are very concerned >>>

“A Texas nursing home started giving the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to dozens of elderly patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and tracking the outcomes in what he’s calling an “observational study. Use of the drug to treat coronavirus infections has set up a heated debate between the Trump administration and leading health experts over its efficacy against COVID-19…the nation’s most respected health officials have said there is insufficient evidence showing that the 80-year-old drug, which is typically used to stave off malaria or treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, is a viable treatment in battling the new virus.”

—Testimony is ongoing—

Arkansas Department of Health Secretary Jose Romero told Sen. Rapert, “We are not in favor of its use, nor would we recommend it, we would recommend you should not use it.”

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