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Governor Andy Beshear
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is giving the latest update on the coronavirus and the state’s response.
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PREVIOUS HISTORYNow that he has been infected with the coronavirus, President Donald Trump must set a “better example” during the pandemic, and must begin by always wearing a mask in public, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.
With the growing number of COVID-19 cases in his state, Beshear urged Kentuckians to accept any inconvenience of donning face covers to do their part to contain the virus.
The Democratic governor said he hopes the Republican president belatedly lead by example after Trump’s positive test for the virus last week led to his hospitalization.
“There are some areas where we need a better example from the president,” Beshear told a news conference. “First, I have been begging for months that this president wear a mask in public. I hope that now we see that now, every day, all the time when he’s not talking. “
Trump remains popular in much of Kentucky, and Beshear has typically been reluctant to criticize the president. But the governor did not hold back in admonishing Trump for his decision to briefly venture into a caravan Sunday to greet his supporters.
“He violated quarantine and isolation,” Beshear said. “You can not do that”.
Trump said Monday that he is leaving the military hospital where he has been receiving treatment. Beshear said he is concerned that the president is leaving “too early for his own health.”
Kentucky reported its record number of coronavirus cases last week – more than 6,120, breaking the previous high set the previous week, the governor said. If current trends continue, Kentucky faces a “tough” fall and winter to fight the virus, he warned.
“The increase in cases leads to an increase in deaths,” Beshear said.
The governor again urged people to wear masks, socially distance themselves and follow other health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus.
“Now is our test: a test of values, a test of faith,” he said. “Are we willing to live for other people? Wearing a mask is inconvenient at best. Are we willing to accept inconveniences to protect life, protect our economy, and get our children to go to school? That is our choice.
“Or are we willing to say that we shouldn’t have to go through any inconvenience?” added. “And because we don’t see people suffering from COVID, because they are at home or in the hospital, we are not going to respond appropriately.”
Beshear warned that a continued escalation of cases could lead to another round of restrictions.
“If we can’t stop this escalation here in the next few weeks … then the White House is going to recommend capacity changes for various companies, and we will have to take that very seriously.” he said.
It will also mean fewer schools open for in-person instruction, the governor said.
Meanwhile, the state reported 543 new coronavirus cases, topping recent case counts on Mondays, when the number of cases is generally lower because many labs are closed on Sundays. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky is now more than 73,000. Beshear also reported five more deaths related to the virus, bringing the death toll statewide to at least 1,214.
The closely watched positivity rate in the state, a seven-day sliding figure that reflects the average number of tests that tested positive for the virus, was 4.69%.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that go away within a few weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause serious symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
READ THE FULL STORY:Gov. Andy Beshear Updates Kentucky Coronavirus, State Response
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