First, a matter of housekeeping. A lot of people want to know where I got my data on Georgia’s daily COVID-19 cases. The state’s Department of Public Health does not make it easy. But go to this link. If you scroll down, you will arrive at a bar chart. If you scroll across the bar chart, you’ll find each day’s individual total of new COVID-19 cases. As new tests come in from a particular day, that particular day’s data will change. But that is my source. The daily total count consists of all positive cases, even if the case is based on a test conducted a month ago, but only just arrived. That bar chart breaks down the days individually. I hope that helps. Now, on with the show.
Kemp made no attempt to communicate the steps he took to reach the decision of reopening GA's economy. That's a demonstration of poor leadership no matter how you stack it. As to trump, it would appear he is only interested in opening the economy in Blue states while Red states remain in lockdown. But, trying to figure out his reasoning only makes me stupid.
Personally would have just let this run to May 1st, but he has had a good handle on the data so far, and I have no reason to doubt that he and his medical team are seeing acceptable trends. The reality is most people will not go to a movie or sit in a restaurant at least in the Atlanta MSA, but outside of Atlanta, other areas of the state not impacted may go back to normal quicker. So maybe a right call by Kemp, densely populated Atlanta, will have a slow roll. At the same time, rural areas of the state can get their economies going, a minimal spike in infections in Atlanta while allowing the economic engine to start in the rest of the state. We are lucky he did not cave to the democrats that wanted to lock down sooner, and he waited until the data warranted it (thinking over feeling). When I look at the data from our national real estate portfolio areas that locked down much sooner and are still in lockdown are suffering more than places like Georgia. This will eventually all come down to the economy. Assuming Kemp is correct, the outbreak can be adequately managed, all the while getting people back to work, he will be in a good position. Conversely, the governor in Michigan is going to harming the economy for the long term and most likely will not show much better virus containment numbers. It will be an excellent comparison to see who managed this best, and I would put my money on Kemp over Whitmer. Easy for the rich, soccer-loving Atlanta liberals to insist that everyone stay at home while they collect a paycheck for sitting at home while people are suffering everywhere else. Kemp is showing much more compassion than those tone death cake eaters.
Colorado is opening far fewer places than Georgia, and Polis is certainly getting criticism and push back in Colorado. We're not opening up gyms and restaurants. And we shut down much earlier than Georgia. Also, our governor is doing things like modeling appropriate behavior like wearing a mask.
The most disturbing part of your article is Trump throwing Kemp under the bus. Yes loyalty is critical in these times, especially with the constant attacks and lies of the media. However, I do agree, Kemp could have waited until after April 30, the deadline for shelter in place.
Erik, how about doing a piece on the death toll of our grandchildren from the 23 Trillion dollar deficit we are amassing? Not all being from Covid but it will continue to grow as we continue to print money to back out this shut down.
If you listen to Trump's comments, what he strongly opposed was Kemp opening hair and nail salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors. By their nature, these businesses have direct personal contact that violate social distancing rules. In my opinion, Kemp was right to open parts of Georgia, but wrong to violate this phase 1 rule : "All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others." Kemp may have been following the advice of experts in GA, but he certainly wasn't following the advice of task force experts in opening businesses that have direct personal contact.
Any chance this was political posturing on the President's part and Kemp too? Perhaps there is closed door support and agreement but Kemp offered himself up to the President as a whipping boy. With the President admonishing him now publicly, it makes the President look good and also gives the President a scapegoat if it goes bad. If it goes well, the President and Kemp BOTH look good. Kemp can say he didn't align with the President to win swing voters and the President can say he was right, again (lol) by letting Govenors make the call? Stings now, but the dividends can really pay off.
Thank you for your candid and spot-on opinions. I have tried to support the President, but I was extremely bothered by his comments yesterday. My wife had to keep telling me to calm down. As the child of veteran, I find the President to be without honor and without code. It is clear to me that Governor Kemp cares more about the welfare of the people of Georgia than he does about politics. It was wrong for the Orange Man to tell the Governor in private that he supported him and throw him under the bus when he got in front of the press. I am also deeply disappointed in the Atlanta TV networks who seem to be looking for reasons to attack the Governor. It seems pretty clear to me that Jovita Moore at WSB does not like the Governor.
You keep saying that Gov Kemp is listening to the experts. But, didn’t the “experts,” via the CDC reopening guidelines, suggest 14 days of reduction in daily cases? Georgia doesn’t have that, does it?
The Governor has Dr. Toomey and a group here in Georgia that he is paying attention to who are monitoring the trends and advising him. Based on what they've said publicly, the community spread is declining and the spikes in cases over the last week were already known and related to nursing home facilities and places like that. They expected them to happen, can manage them, and won't see a surge. Agree or not, that's their reasoning.
Kemp made no attempt to communicate the steps he took to reach the decision of reopening GA's economy. That's a demonstration of poor leadership no matter how you stack it. As to trump, it would appear he is only interested in opening the economy in Blue states while Red states remain in lockdown. But, trying to figure out his reasoning only makes me stupid.
Personally would have just let this run to May 1st, but he has had a good handle on the data so far, and I have no reason to doubt that he and his medical team are seeing acceptable trends. The reality is most people will not go to a movie or sit in a restaurant at least in the Atlanta MSA, but outside of Atlanta, other areas of the state not impacted may go back to normal quicker. So maybe a right call by Kemp, densely populated Atlanta, will have a slow roll. At the same time, rural areas of the state can get their economies going, a minimal spike in infections in Atlanta while allowing the economic engine to start in the rest of the state. We are lucky he did not cave to the democrats that wanted to lock down sooner, and he waited until the data warranted it (thinking over feeling). When I look at the data from our national real estate portfolio areas that locked down much sooner and are still in lockdown are suffering more than places like Georgia. This will eventually all come down to the economy. Assuming Kemp is correct, the outbreak can be adequately managed, all the while getting people back to work, he will be in a good position. Conversely, the governor in Michigan is going to harming the economy for the long term and most likely will not show much better virus containment numbers. It will be an excellent comparison to see who managed this best, and I would put my money on Kemp over Whitmer. Easy for the rich, soccer-loving Atlanta liberals to insist that everyone stay at home while they collect a paycheck for sitting at home while people are suffering everywhere else. Kemp is showing much more compassion than those tone death cake eaters.
Colorado is opening far fewer places than Georgia, and Polis is certainly getting criticism and push back in Colorado. We're not opening up gyms and restaurants. And we shut down much earlier than Georgia. Also, our governor is doing things like modeling appropriate behavior like wearing a mask.
The most disturbing part of your article is Trump throwing Kemp under the bus. Yes loyalty is critical in these times, especially with the constant attacks and lies of the media. However, I do agree, Kemp could have waited until after April 30, the deadline for shelter in place.
Erik, how about doing a piece on the death toll of our grandchildren from the 23 Trillion dollar deficit we are amassing? Not all being from Covid but it will continue to grow as we continue to print money to back out this shut down.
If you listen to Trump's comments, what he strongly opposed was Kemp opening hair and nail salons, barbershops, and tattoo parlors. By their nature, these businesses have direct personal contact that violate social distancing rules. In my opinion, Kemp was right to open parts of Georgia, but wrong to violate this phase 1 rule : "All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others." Kemp may have been following the advice of experts in GA, but he certainly wasn't following the advice of task force experts in opening businesses that have direct personal contact.
Erick,
Any chance this was political posturing on the President's part and Kemp too? Perhaps there is closed door support and agreement but Kemp offered himself up to the President as a whipping boy. With the President admonishing him now publicly, it makes the President look good and also gives the President a scapegoat if it goes bad. If it goes well, the President and Kemp BOTH look good. Kemp can say he didn't align with the President to win swing voters and the President can say he was right, again (lol) by letting Govenors make the call? Stings now, but the dividends can really pay off.
Given the reaction behind the scenes last night, I really don't think so.
Erick,
Thank you for your candid and spot-on opinions. I have tried to support the President, but I was extremely bothered by his comments yesterday. My wife had to keep telling me to calm down. As the child of veteran, I find the President to be without honor and without code. It is clear to me that Governor Kemp cares more about the welfare of the people of Georgia than he does about politics. It was wrong for the Orange Man to tell the Governor in private that he supported him and throw him under the bus when he got in front of the press. I am also deeply disappointed in the Atlanta TV networks who seem to be looking for reasons to attack the Governor. It seems pretty clear to me that Jovita Moore at WSB does not like the Governor.
I largely agree with you.
You keep saying that Gov Kemp is listening to the experts. But, didn’t the “experts,” via the CDC reopening guidelines, suggest 14 days of reduction in daily cases? Georgia doesn’t have that, does it?
The Governor has Dr. Toomey and a group here in Georgia that he is paying attention to who are monitoring the trends and advising him. Based on what they've said publicly, the community spread is declining and the spikes in cases over the last week were already known and related to nursing home facilities and places like that. They expected them to happen, can manage them, and won't see a surge. Agree or not, that's their reasoning.
Why is there a discrepancy between the GA Dept. of Health and JHU daily numbers?
As of this post, the JHU has +/-2000 new cases for 22nd and 23rd and the GA DPH is showing roughly 200.