The Georgia state capitol grounds in Atlanta will be occupied by both supporters and detractors of Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R) decision to let some businesses reopen on Friday, representative of the divided state.
Well, here we go. Killing our country via stupidity. Can we build a wall around Georgia?
I’m so tired of all the perspective-free, BS Nazi analogies. I recall the contrarian sign from a 2010 Tea Party rally proclaiming, “Hitler is…HITLER.” Amen, amen, amen…
True. Comparing Republicans and Nazis is bullshit.
The Nazis knew how to build nice cars.
So true…
I wish that stupid was only in Georgia. Unfortunately, there are other places…i.e. Florida, the White House, Republicans in general…that caught the stupid a long, long time ago. How they manage to actually dress themselves is beyond me.
Well, there will be a bit less stupidity in those areas in just a few weeks…
Let your freak flag fly, Jawga!
South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida. Why bother.
For a counterpoint to Kemp’s decision, there’s a perspective in today’s Washington Post by Hugh Acheson. Mr Acheson is a chef and the owner of the restaurants Five & Ten in Athens, Ga., and Empire State South and By George in Atlanta.
Since the WaPo has a paywall, here’s a few words from his perspective:
My governor here in Georgia, Brian Kemp, has proclaimed that many businesses that have been closed for weeks can reopen on Friday. These include a motley crew of bowling alleys, wax studios, massage centers, hair salons, nail spas, tattoo parlors and gyms. Restaurants, like the three I own, are allowed to reopen on Monday.
No, thank you.
The governor’s decision dismisses science in favor of throwing the economically desperate to the front lines of the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic. The hospitality industry was already among the first to succumb to the economic wrath of the pandemic, and I, as a chef and restaurateur, refuse to have the people I employ and work with used as sacrificial lambs for an economic uptick that is far from guaranteed anyway.
I hope the governor will be getting a tasteful lower-back tattoo that says “These Veins Bleed Red” while enjoying a pedicure in a fine Spring Rhubarb shade; after all, he has a phalanx of people in personal protective equipment willing to ensure his safety, something that the rest of the citizenry has little access to.
The chef describes how he saw his business dwindle as the virus spread, and how he had to lay off over 100 workers. He still has some staff for carry out, and he’s now partnering with the charities World Central Kitchen and the Blank Family Foundation to help feed the poor in both urban and rural areas, first responders and healthcare professionals. And he describes the protections he’s put in place to protect his remaining staff from the virus.
He also mentions how hard it would be to protect his workers if they reopened, and how the virus would then be spread to their room mates and others - and how Kemp’s lack of guidance, etc, would make reopening more difficult.
He then describes how he loves being a chef and what he misses now that his restaurants are closed, then ends with:
That will happen again soon. But right now I need to help nourish my community, and prove to myself, my team and my customers that we can provide a safe place of respite from this catastrophe.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/24/georgia-kemp-reopon-coronavirus/
[A lot of people in the WaPs’s comments section are pledging to visit one of his restaurants once he can reopen.]
I feel so sorry for the POC who will be forced to go back to work as they are at greater risk.
But there will also be fewer people who were forced to go back to work.
For the love of FSM, don’t “duel”.
Give the Covidiots free and unfettered access to mingle closely with each other and maximize the herd-thinning potential.
Smart folks stay home.
How are they going to handle distancing in movie theatres??? Jeez
Yup, it’s fucking sad. Wonder when we’re going to hit the tipping point that people start fighting back.
My money had been on July, but with this pressure to re-open, could come much sooner.
Only show shitty movies. No one comes.
OT – Governor Whitmer (D-MI) extends stay-at-home safety protocol in the state until May 15. Was set to expire on April 30th before the extension. However she did relax and make allowances for some businesses to open in some ways.
Additionally, landscapers, lawn-service companies, and nurseries can return to work, subject to strict social distancing. Retailers that do not sell necessary supplies may reopen for curbside pick-up and for delivery. Big box stores can reopen “closed areas,” like garden centers. And bike repair and maintenance can come back online.
The order will also allow motorized boating and golf, but no golf carts, consistent with sound social distancing. It will also permit individuals to travel between their residences, though traveling during the epidemic is still strongly discouraged.
The new executive order takes effect immediately.
So yay…I can now plant my War on Covid-19 Victory Garden this year and probably next year if this shit continues and there’s no vaccine. So much easier for me to pick up starter tomato and cucumber plants…and seeds will be easier to get without having to go online, which many of my neighbors have already done.
If you refuse to go back to work…you won’t be able to get unemployment. Many will be forced to go back to work.
I am in favor of letting a bunch of Covid-19 patients our of isolation for a few hours to go advocate for “freedom” at the MAGA rally on the GA capital steps. They really need some fresh air and contact with zombies.
