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When you're young and impressionable, a presence as large as Gov. Jim Justive can make a big impact on your life.
That's why we believe Justice's recent visits to elementary schools throughout the state to hand out federal COVID-19 relief money and, more importantly, to talk to youngsters who have missed time with their teachers and friends in school over the past year is so important.
Justice on Monday visited Cameron Elementary School, bringing with him a check for $50,000 for the school to use as it pleases. Also with him was Babydog, the state's unofficial mascot who the governor has used to help spread the message of getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
During his visit, Justice spoke directly to the students about COVID, wearing masks in school and getting back to a more normal routine: "We really, really want you to get vaccinated -- but that's your parents' choice," he said. "And we're going to respect your parents, no matter what they decide.
"But we encourage people to get vaccinated, because it's really, really important."
The students got lunch out of the governor's visit as well, along with a chance to pet Babydog.
They also heard from David Hess, CEO at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, on the importance of vaccines.
Handing out prizes, dream weddings and free gas for 10 years, as took place during the first two rounds of the "Do It for Babydog" sweepstakes, eventually turned into a tiresome repeat with little overall impact. But talking directly to kids about what's going on right now -- about why they weren't in school last year, why they didn't get to see their friends and instead had to try to learn online -- that has real impact. Handing $50,000 to a school, as long as it's spent on a meaningful education-based endeavor -- that has real impact.
Kudos to Justice for getting in front of children and talking to them at their level, and for bringing along Babydog to help keep their attention. Far too much of the focus with COVID has been with how it affects adults; we need to remember that children, too, have questions and uncertainties that we must address.