As you would expect, there were varying reactions to Governor Beshear’s announcement on Wednesday of stricter activity guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Here is a sample of those reactions.
Republicans in the legislature
The office of KY House Speaker David Osborne issued this press release:
In response to questions about reports that the Governor would consult with members of legislative leadership in determining what steps to take in mitigating further spread of the COVID-19 virus, House Speaker David Osborne issued the following statement:
“Today’s meeting was not a consultation nor did the Governor seek any input from legislative leaders. While the 20 minute presentation by Dr. Stack was informative, the Governor answered questions for less than ten minutes and failed to provide any contact tracing based data on where cases are spreading in Kentucky. He must be prepared to directly answer the same questions we face from our constituents every single day. While we take this virus seriously, we will not be cover for his unilateral decision-making. Working with the legislature means more than calling us an hour before making his pre-determined edicts public. This kind of move is not leadership, it’s misleading.”
Senate President Robert Stivers issued this statement:
“This is the first time in eight months that the Governor has briefed us, and make no mistake, it was a briefing not a collaboration. The decisions today, made solely by the Governor, were to limit and restrict many businesses that may not survive based on what was proposed. We have not been shown any data that would draw a rational basis to limit Thanksgiving in your home to eight people when you can go to a private venue with twenty-five people. Nor were we presented any data that justifies a blanket policy to close public and private schools, especially when we are seeing the loss of a year of educational opportunities and destructive effects to the mental health of our youth. Kentucky is in a crisis, this is real, and the Governor needs to start consulting with us for the sake of the Commonwealth.”
Senator Damon Thayer, the GOP floor leader, posted a series of critical tweets, and ended with this, as shared by Phillip Bailey (Forward Kentucky is blocked by Thayer):
"In January, the people's branch of government will speak loudly about this governor and his authoritarian policies. Hang on #Kentucky, help is on the way."— @KYSenateGOP floor leader @damon_thayer #KYGov #COVID19 #coronavirus (5/5)
— Philmonger (@phillipmbailey) November 18, 2020
Kentucky Education Association
KEA issued this press release:
This afternoon, Governor Andy Beshear showed that he is the right leader at the right time, willing to make hard decisions for the greater good. This decision will save the lives of students, educators, parents and grandparents. His decision to use his executive authority to close all middle and high schools to in-person learning through January, with the possibility of some elementary schools opening to students again on December 7, is a dramatic step, but certainly, it is a step that will save lives.
By every available measure, the recent growth of coronavirus infections in Kentucky is alarming and presents a clear and present danger to the entire state. Turning this situation around will take each of us – all of us – working together for the collective good. It is a test of our spirits, but it is also a test of our empathy and our humanity.
Every student, every educator, and every parent in Kentucky has had their life turned upside down by the coronavirus. No one wants any of this, but we cannot simply ignore it; it will not magically disappear. The only thing that will change the situation and get our children back in school, back on the playing field, and back to normal is if every single Kentuckian does what is required to protect themselves and their loved ones. Wear a mask; wash your hands; stay home whenever possible; limit non-essential activities; and limit your contact with people outside your household. In the absence of a critical mass of people willing to voluntarily make those sacrifices over the last few months, the Governor had no choice but to act.
Democrats across the state
Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville shared this in a series of tweets:
“I respect @GovAndyBeshear for taking the difficult steps necessary to keep all Kentuckians as safe as possible. This will be tough for everybody, but the better we all adhere to these directives, the quicker we can be back with our family and friends, the quicker we get our schools open, and the quicker we get our economy back on track. This will be a particular challenge to our local bars and restaurants, and I appreciate the governor making funds available to help them. And again, I encourage people to utilize those businesses’ takeout and delivery options – and tip big! Again, this will be tough, but we are a resilient people, and we can do this!”
Colmon Eldridge, newly-elected chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, issued this statement:
“As long as I have known Gov. Andy Beshear, I have known him to be a leader who is willing to make tough decisions. I want to thank Gov. Beshear for always being willing to make the hard decisions especially when those decisions literally mean the difference between life and death.
“Every decision the governor has made regarding the COVID-19 crisis has been made after consulting public health experts and taking into consideration any state actions impact on schools, businesses, our ability to come together as families to celebrate or mourn, and our ability to return to places that nourish our spirits such as churches and houses of worship. These decisions, while not easy, have been made because of the clear evidence about the spread of the virus in our communities. I also know that Governor Beshear understands and respects the enormous financial, emotional, and mental toll the pandemic has had across the Commonwealth.
“As a citizen, it has pained and frankly angered me to see this public health crisis politicized. As a country and as a Commonwealth, we once respected the idea that in times such as these, science, not partisanship, would define our outcomes. Now is not the time for our leaders and public servants to play politics with people’s lives or refuse to take science seriously. People are dying. Small businesses are hurting. Communities of color and communities with lack of access to quality and affordable healthcare are disproportionately suffering and dying.
“Like most parents, my wife and I would love nothing more than for schools to be open as they were this time last year. Yet as parents, we know too well the worry of sending our children safely to school. We hear the voices of educators worried about the health risks of coming to school or driving a bus and contracting COVID or worse, transmitting it to a loved one.
“This is not who we are and it does not have to be this way.
“Let me be clear, wearing a mask is not a political statement. It is not living in fear. The scriptures tell us to love one another and simply put, wearing a mask, even if inconvenient, is the kind of act of selflessness and love for our neighbors, we are called upon to, as people of faith, as members of a community, and as human beings, to live out. The quickest way to return to a more “normal” existence, is to listen to fact based science and to follow the recommendations that are being made. Anyone who prefers to peddle in misinformation for their own personal agenda needs to work with Governor Beshear, not against Kentuckians. Governor Beshear, and other governors from both sides of the aisle, have put politics aside to continue to save lives, filling the void left by a lack of coordinated federal response. It is time for all Kentucky leaders to do the same.
“The decision could not be more clear. Will leaders stand on the side of life, or will they, as they did in March, stand on the side of partisan, petty, and frankly, deadly politics? The time for grandstanding is over, as every minute so called leaders spend spreading false information and fighting this Governor, is a minute we are losing to COVID-19. I am glad to have leaders like Governor Beshear and Lt. Governor Coleman, who refuse to wave the white flag to COVID-19. Defeatism is not who we are as Kentuckians or as Americans. I hope leaders on both sides of the aisle will show the same resolve.”
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