Kemp defends Georgia’s reopening plan in letter to US COVID-19 committee. Read it here
Gov. Brian Kemp defended Georgia’s decision to reopen and blamed the worsening coronavirus situation in July on residents ignoring public health guidance due to “summer holidays coupled with televised protests” in a letter he sent to a U.S. House COVID-19 panel earlier this month.
Kemp’s letter, dated Aug. 12 and released Monday by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, was sent in response to a request made by the subcommittee’s chairman U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) for documents outlining any federal guidance Georgia received and any additional future plans meant to stop the spread of the virus. Clyburn wrote similar letters to the governors of other states, including Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“From the very beginning, we have used data, science, and the advice of public health officials like Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey to craft our approach to combating COVID-19,” Kemp wrote in his letter. “We took immediate steps to flatten the curve, protect the most vulnerable, and save lives in every corner of our state.”
‘Our decisions proved to be the right ones’
Kemp cited “favorable data and positive trendlines” that led him to reopen shuttered parts of the state’s economy in late April and early May. A shelter-in-place order remained in effect for the state’s most vulnerable residents and businesses were required to adhere to various coronavirus regulations.
“Despite criticism in the media, our decisions proved to be the right ones,” Kemp wrote. “We saw cases, hospitalizations, and mortality rates flatten in May and early June, Georgia was ultimately applauded for a measured reopening that balanced public health and economic stability.”
By late June and through the month of July, however, Georgia reported increasing and record numbers for new coronavirus cases, and the tally of current COVID-19 hospitalizations reached their highest point since the start of the pandemic.
In the letter, Kemp attributed those increases to many Georgia residents ignoring the advice of public health officials.
“In Georgia, and throughout the country, many grew complacent. Summer holidays coupled with televised protests caused many to let their guard down and abandon guidance provided by public health officials,” Kemp wrote. “As cases started to rise again, the public health emergency was extended in July and additional reopening measures were paused.”
In the letter, Kemp pointed to efforts made by state agencies beginning in mid-July leading to the state’s recent “encouraging progress.” Some of the efforts mentioned by Kemp include increasing hospital surge capacity and the opening of a makeshift hospital at the World Congress Center in Atlanta.
“Since July 1, Georgia has dramatically ramped up testing with 20,000 more tests per day and opened a mega testing site in College Park, which will add another 5,000 tests to out daily capacity,” Kemp wrote. “As local officials decide to open schools, state officials continue to deliver masks, hand sanitizer, foggers and PPE to communities so school superintendents and boards can provide the necessary resources and tools to keep teachers and students safe.”
As of Aug. 28, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency have distributed the following items to various facilities across the state, according to the Governor’s office:
25,947,961 masks (N95, KN95, and surgical)
1,682,914 face shields
5,261,088 gowns
41,914,420 gloves
10,643,620 cloth masks
Kemp wrote that he and state officials have “worked closely” with the White House and the White House coronavirus task force throughout the pandemic.
In his most recent executive order, Kemp allowed local governments to enact mask mandates on public property if they meet certain health-related metrics. The order is set to expire 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31.
Kemp and state health officials continue to encourage residents to do four things this fall to stop the spread of COVID-19 — wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly and follow the guidance of public health officials.
“Over the last several months, many have tried to exploit this pivotal moment for personal or political gain,” Kemp wrote in the letter. “Frankly, it is sad and disappointing. People are dying, businesses are hurting, and most Americans are concerned about what the future holds. Now is not the time for petty games or hidden agendas. We must set our differences aside and work together to overcome the challenges before us.”
What’s the latest on Georgia’s data?
As of Aug. 30, Georgia reported a total of 268,973 coronavirus cases and 5,604 deaths.
While the number of newly reported cases has recently declined, the White House coronavirus task force reported that Georgia had the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the nation during the week of Aug. 15-21.
The task force continued to recommend the state implement more stringent coronavirus restrictions, including a statewide mask mandate for counties with 20 or more active cases.
Dr. Harry Heiman, a clinical associate professor at Georgia State University’s School of Public Health, said Kemp’s letter failed to address why he and state officials are refusing to implement the regulations recommended by the White House task force.
“I think in the same way our Governor chooses to cherry-pick data, he prefers to highlight the occasional opinion piece that supports his approach,” Heiman said in an email. “From my perspective, the data clearly show that he prematurely reopened many high-risk businesses and has continued to fail to implement appropriate public health measures, leading to our recent surge in cases and continued high number of deaths. “
The Ledger-Enquirer requested a copy of the latest White House task force report Monday from the Georgia Department of Public Health and has not yet received a copy.
Johns Hopkins University reported Georgia performed 2.1 tests per 1,000 people on Aug. 30, and coronavirus tests performed per person were down from last week’s numbers. Coronavirus test positivity rates are above thresholds as 9.7% of the state’s test came back positive.
Over the past two weeks, Georgia performed 256 daily coronavirus tests per 100,000 people, which is only 34% of the state’s testing target based on estimates from the Harvard Global Health Institute, the New York Times reports.
“The Governor continues to fail to recognize that we can have improvement of some indicators while our state continues to be in the red zone in a majority of our counties,” Heiman said. “While our state has made recent progress in reducing the number of new cases and hospitalizations, we are still in the midst of a crisis.”
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 3:06 PM.