R.E.X.
Rex Arrasmith is a Sedona and Lāna'I poet. He is currently writing a series of epistolary elegies to friends and lovers lost during the worst of the AIDS pandemic. His work is inspired by the vortexes found in Arizona's Coconino National Forest and whale songs of Hawaii's annual Humpback migration. Rex met Julie while attending Lesley University, pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing. Alarmed by Covid ravishing Wuhan China, Julie called Rex at the beginning of her journey towards mask awareness. She was one of the first to ring the alarm and call to action knowing it was only a matter of time before Covid reached America. Her early work trying to bring awareness to our unprepared citizens inspired Rex to post early warnings on social media. On his island, they shut down early, and mask acceptance was universally adopted. It was not easy, but they managed to stay covid free during the entire lockdown. Masking works if it's universal and education is critical. Rex held weekly Zoom meetings giving essential information to the islanders on infection rates across the islands and how masking keeps the island safe. Rex often cited Julie's thoughtful research and educated posts during community meetings.
