The COVID-19 pandemic may not be political, but the response to it is entirely political.
The North Carolina legislature, during the final days of the 2020 legislative session, passed three bills to reopen businesses that Gov. Roy Cooper by executive order closed and won’t allow to reopen.
Some of those businesses would have been allowed to reopen during Phase 2, which went into effect on May 22, but Cooper decided to tighten the restrictions for Phase 2 and keep them closed.
Then the business owners saw hope when Phase 3 was scheduled to go into effect on June 26, and Cooper decided to delay that until July 17.
Now Cooper has vetoed all three bills that would have offered some relief to businesses that have been shuttered since the shutdown orders began in March.
House Bill 806 would have allowed fitness facilities, gyms and health clubs to open under a prescribed 25-point plan. Cooper had previously vetoed a bill to open gyms and health clubs. This second attempt had more requirements and gave Cooper more leeway to restrict them, if necessary.
Senate Bill 599 would have allowed skating rinks and bowling alleys to reopen with a 12-point safety plan.
House Bill 258 would have allowed venues for receptions, amusement parks, arcades, fairs and carnivals as well as dining and beverage establishments at outdoor stadiums to open under strict guidelines.
Cooper also vetoed a bill that clarified the law that states the governor has to have consensus from the Council of State to take actions such as shutting down a large percentage of the state’s economy during an emergency.
House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said in a press release, “Governor Cooper’s scattershot executive orders are picking winners and losers instead of delivering real results for the people of North Carolina. Families and individuals are desperate for a balanced approach to recovery that protects the public’s health without permanently devastating small businesses across our state.”
He added, “Actions always speak louder than words and it is clear Governor Cooper is unwilling to prioritize struggling North Carolinians over his own power.”
Cooper in a press conference said that he had to keep the businesses closed because he was more interested in opening schools, but Cooper still has not presented a plan for opening schools, which are supposed to start the school year in August.
I realize that the owners of bowling alleys, skating rinks, amusement parks, reception halls, etc., want their venues opened, but evidence from states like Florida and Texas clearly demonstrate that loosening these restrictions leads to many more new cases of the coronavirus.
Me, I want to get back to the gym, but I’m willing to wait until it is safe and can confidently move from machine to machine without worrying about what the person who preceded me might have left.
We should be thankful that Cooper seems concerned about the many, instead of the desires of the owners who put their income over health of their patrons.
Answer these 4 questions and tell me Governor Dictator has us little people’s best interests at heart:
1. How is it safe to keep bar areas of restaurants and breweries open, but dangerous to keep bars themselves closed?
2. How is it safe to keep barber shops and tattoo parlors open, but gyms with social distancing closed?
3. How is it safe to practice the 1st Amendment right to assembly, but dangerous to allow the 1st Amendment right to worship (a federal judge had to force this on him)?
4. How is it safe for Governor Dictator to be in public with hundreds of protestors without a mask, but it is dangerous for me to attend a sporting event with a mask?
#1 I agree, they ALL should have never been reopened period. Opening anything without mandatory social distancing and masks is now responsible for the spike we are seeing.
#2 huge difference between one artist and one customer with masks vs a room full of huffing, puffing, sweating people. You can’t tell me the people in Gyms are going to wear masks, because I guarantee they won’t.
#3 there are no restriction on worshiping, worship where ever you want, God is everywhere at least that’s what is in the book. Large outbreaks tied to worship services in states where policy was disregarded and in states where they didn’t restrict congregations of people no matter what the reason.
#4 Other than Ace Speedway, who was ONLY trying to make a political statement, what sporting event do you propose to go to?? I agree, Governor shouldn’t have taken his mask off.
The Gov’s plan to open the schools this August will shoot an arrow right through the hypocrapsy of his decrees restricting business and individuals. All the Dems want is to hamper the economy, promote social unrest, and win the Fall election. “The right thing” has nothing to do with the Democrat Playbook. The Playbook itself is on line. Of course, the Dems will have a political solution to all their manufactured ills.
Coop the Dupe
Nothing we do will “get rid of” the Wuhan Red Death. The spread ebbs and flows with human contact. Human’s need contact badly. We can wear masks, physical distance, and wash our hands. His refusal to allow these businesses to reopen is not only ignorant but criminal and discriminatory in my opinion.
Cooper is a joke. He picks and chooses at will. H e is not a monarch and needs to Go!!!!!!!!
Johnny too bad you are so ignorant. I agree Cooper is throwing his power around like he’s God and only those he chooses can go about their business. Oh boo-hoo, he’s keeping us safe. I can keep myself safe thank you very much. I wish all these virus cowards would go somewhere and worship at the antiseptic throne Cooper sits on and leave the rest of us to handle our lives as we should have the right to do. If I wanted to live in a government controlled communist country, I would.
With that load of self serving hogwash being said, I wish you and yours the very best because they’ll need it.
we can’t wait to November to vote this man OUT he stays in HIDING GOING BACK AND Forth TO NEW YORK . WE NEED HIM OUT
Problem with all these wonderful comments is that I would bet $20 that Johnny, Bryan, Charles, Bunny and Sherry don’t wear masks and don’t social distance. Two things that are either free or cheap, that protect you, your friends, customers and family and that would stop what’s happening in it’s tracks and allow our economy to recover. You’d rather blah, blah, blah on some “news” outlet instead of doing something constructive. Oh yeah, instead of constant gripping, put a mask in it and just vote.
Again, you stereotype and pigeonhole, like a typical leftist. I do mask and do distance. The difference is I don’t attempt to force my beliefs on others, not do I contradict myself like the joke of the governor in Raleigh.