Kemp pushes masks and extends state of emergency for coronavirus

The governor also announced Monday that he plans to take a statewide flight tour before the July 4 weekend to encourage Georgians to wear masks, but said he does not plan to require residents to do so.

Kemp’s extended orders and media bombardment of the masks come after Georgia set a record last week with more than 11,000 coronavirus cases. The state Department of Public Health reported 2,207 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, which almost equaled Sunday’s single-day record of 2,225.

Georgia set daily records for three consecutive days before Monday.

The public health emergency, which now runs through August 11, gives Kemp broad authority to impose new restrictions and take other measures to stop the spread of the virus. The shelter order for medically fragile and long-term care facility residents, due to expire on Wednesday, lasted for two weeks until July 15.

In another sign of concern over the increase in cases, Kemp extended the coronavirus restrictions by two weeks for businesses and restaurants that would expire on Wednesday. It is a break from a series of orders that constantly relax regulations.

The order also required the state Board of Education to draft rules to guide local officials planning to reopen public schools.

Kemp will travel to Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Savannah and Valdosta before the holiday weekend to “encourage citizens to heed public health advice and wear a mask” to stop the spread of the disease, his office.

Georgia has been among the most aggressive states to reopen its economy since the end of April, when restaurants were allowed to resume food services and personal care businesses, such as nail salons and hair salons, were allowed to reopen if followed the safety guidelines.

Since then, Kemp has finalized the on-site shelter request for all but "medically fragile" Georgians, allowing larger gatherings and bars, nightclubs and live entertainment venues to welcome guests again if they follow a series of regulations. .

Kemp said he does not intend to impose new restrictions to combat the disease, and his office on Monday noted a steady increase in testing and a disease death rate of 3.6%, the lowest since mid-April, How signing your approach was effective.

Although testing has increased since the initial peak of the virus in April, the rate of positive testing has also recently increased, a sign of further spread.

The state has also reported a dramatic increase in current hospitalizations for COVID-19 in recent weeks. On Monday, there were 1,359 current hospitalizations, up from 783 on June 7. Deaths are also a lagging indicator of the virus.

Adults under the age of 30 have been leaders in new cases of the virus, but health experts warn that the virus can easily spread to older and more vulnerable populations.

#Realmenwearmasks

The use of masks has become politicized, especially for many on the right.

But Kemp is among a growing list of Republican officials pleading with residents not to cover themselves, even when President Donald Trump refuses to wear a mask in public and ridicules alleged Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for wearing one.

The group includes Vice President Mike Pence, who encouraged Americans to wear masks during a weekend visit to Texas, and US Representative Liz Cheney, who tweeted a photo of her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, wearing one with the hashtag "#realmenwearmasks."

There is growing consensus among medical experts that masks are critical to fighting the virus.

"There is good evidence to suggest that wearing a face covering can decrease potential exposure and spread, especially among asymptomatic carriers and vulnerable populations and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained," said Dr. Phillip Coule , vice president and medical director of the Augusta University Health System.

Kemp also announced that state officials will distribute more than 3 million facial covers to local government officials and schools.

When specifically asked about the need to wear masks, Kemp said ordering them is a "bridge too far," and expressed concern that there was not enough public support to institute a state order.

“There are some people who just don't want to wear a mask. I am sensitive to that from a political environment of getting people to buy that and create other problems out there, ”he said recently. "But it is definitely a good idea."

Nor were state Capitol legislators, lobbyists, and Georgia State Patrol officers required to wear masks, though the Georgia House of Representatives ordered lawmakers to cover their faces during the two-week restarted legislative session that ended on Friday.