by Scott Neuman – npr.org
Georgia’s governor and the mayor of the state’s capital and largest city are at odds over COVID-19 restrictions, with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announcing a return to tough measures to control a spike in coronavirus infections and Gov. Brian Kemp insisting that her order is “non-binding and legally unenforceable.”
Bottoms, a Democrat, announced Friday that she was bringing Atlanta back to Phase 1 reopening — the most restrictive post-lockdown measures that require all residents to stay home except for essential trips.
The mayor’s order came on the same day that Georgia announced a record-breaking one-day spike in coronavirus, logging 4,400 new confirmed cases. Health authorities in Atlanta’s Fulton County says about half of the new cases in Georgia in the past two weeks have occurred in the city.
Reactions from the community…
I think this is one of the shadiest press releases. We have the leadership of @KeishaBottoms and the failure of @GovKemp. COVID cases are skyrocketing in Georgia. When will you lead Governor?! pic.twitter.com/EWDRes9SN5
— Dar’shun Kendrick (@DarshunKendrick) July 10, 2020
Our governor cares more about pleasing Trump than he cares about you.
— Galvanize Georgia (@GalvanizeGA) July 10, 2020
Like what is being done by Mayor Bottoms in Atlanta is a bad thing for WHOM?!
— Stacey Hopkins (@staceyhopkinsga) July 11, 2020
Here we have a Governor – the chief executive public official in the state – making an argument AGAINST sound public health policy that would keep Georgians from harm, and protect them. https://t.co/G4aIs91LVw
Atlanta Mayor @KeishaBottoms‘ action today is merely guidance – both non-binding and legally unenforceable. As clearly stated in my executive orders, no local action can be more or less restrictive, and that rule applies statewide. (1/3) https://t.co/3pQdB0pI70
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) July 10, 2020
You are perfectly welcome to match or exceed the mayor’s order statewide. All of these deaths are on your watch @GovKemp When you go to meet your maker there will be a tally for your rekoning.
— IndivisibleGeorgia04 (@IndivisibleGA04) July 11, 2020
My firm and I will represent pro bono any Georgia county or municipality that is sued by the Kemp administration for issuing a mask mandate. https://t.co/i8PrNH2Kbk
— Scott G (@ScottyG327) July 10, 2020
This video of Georgia’s Governor, Brian Kemp, sure makes him look ignorant.#godawfulgovernors pic.twitter.com/3vW8MvhC0s
— Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) July 10, 2020
Georgia sets new single-day record for coronavirus cases: https://t.co/hFump8d4cR pic.twitter.com/E5ybGvMdZq
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) July 10, 2020
And Kemp’s bullying KLB, disregarding that the entire state is on fire. And guess who’s visiting Atlanta again next week? pic.twitter.com/kQJnkqCYYE
— Voting, MASKS, TESTING & TRACING matters (@BumphBean) July 10, 2020
Gov. Kemp is throwing cold water on municipal efforts to require masks as the spread continues accelerating in Georgia.
— Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) July 10, 2020
The leaders of Georgia’s cities are wisely ignoring him. https://t.co/PH93K8xulK
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ordered a return to Phase 1 restrictions amid a record-breaking spike in coronavirus cases.
— NPR (@NPR) July 11, 2020
But Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, quickly dismissed the mayor’s directive, saying only he has that authority.https://t.co/WMzSv6tRiv
Georgia reopens convention center as hospital, marks nearly 4,500 new cases of coronavirus — its highest single-day increase.
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) July 10, 2020
— Infections nearly 10%
— Total cases 110,000+
— Deaths nearly 3,000
Trump ally Gov. Kemp reopened restaurants, bars in June.https://t.co/p9ed9eUJVL
Did y’all really think a white supremacist would make good decisions?!
— Gary Ray Betz (@GaryRayBetz) July 10, 2020
“In Brian Kemp’s Georgia, college football matters more than our neighbors’ health. Kemp closed Georgia too slowly, reopened too quickly and has no interest in science or facts” #gapol https://t.co/yeowLqEh6F
I just don’t get it. Does @BrianKempGA just want folks to get sick & die? Firing back and @KeishaBottoms who is trying to keep ppl safe? Remember he was pushing for the GOP convention in August & now @GWCC_ATL is now makeshift hospital? I thought pro life was his brand? #GaPol
— Mara Davis (@MaraDavis) July 10, 2020
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms are at odds over coronavirus guidelines as the city rolls back its reopening to Phase 1 https://t.co/TXA7FcBxmV pic.twitter.com/nBBw2uOqMH
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 11, 2020
Georgia’s creepy Kemp won’t mandate masks in a state with rapidly rising #coronavirus but has called up the National Guard. https://t.co/Umg8RfXZQe
— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) July 8, 2020
Brian Kemp needs to get his shit together and his priorities straight. His fellow Georgians are suffering due to his incompetence. https://t.co/DBts04q3Lu
— PhromTheBottom (@PhromThe) July 8, 2020
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she will sign an executive order mandating the use of face masks in public spaces.
— NPR (@NPR) July 8, 2020
It’s the latest test of an order from Gov. Brian Kemp that bars local governments from setting their own public health policies.https://t.co/tAfjsoz4pb
