Atlanta's mayor spoke out on Friday morning to slam Governor Brian Kemp's decision to reopen some non-essential businesses in Geor...
Atlanta's mayor spoke out on Friday morning to slam Governor Brian Kemp's decision to reopen some non-essential businesses in Georgia despite escalating coronavirus cases and deaths as 'irresponsible' and said he was putting lives at risk for the sake of the economy.
Georgia's bowling alleys, gyms, hair salons, tattoo parlors and some retailers and restaurants will reopen on Friday after just three weeks of being closed.
It is a decision that has been met with wide criticism since the state's case count continues to rise and more and more people are dying. As of Friday morning, there were 900 COVID-19 deaths in Georgia and more than 22,000 have been infected.
Kemp's decision to reopen is the latest in a string of controversial calls from local and state leaders to flout CDC guidance and allow people to get back to work amid growing pressure from protesters who say they would rather risk death than go any longer without a paycheck.
Even President Trump, who has fueled protests by calling for some governors to 'liberate' their states, does not agree with the decision.
On Thursday, he said he 'wasn't happy' with Kemp. The Associated Press now reports that both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence approved of his plan in private conversations earlier in the week.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms appeared on Good Morning America on Friday to slam the decision and urge people to continue staying at home despite the governor's decision.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms appeared on Good Morning America on Friday to slam the decision
“There is nothing essential about going to a bowling alley or getting a manicure in the middle of a pandemic,” Atlanta mayor @KeishaBottoms does not agree with GA gov. Brian Kemp about letting some businesses reopen. gma.abc/3eQ4CnS
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'Listen to the scientists. There is nothing essential about going to a bowling alley or getting a manicure in the middle of a pandemic.
'It's necessary that we continue to distance ourselves to the extent that if we've seen any relief in our numbers, it's because we've been aggressive with social distancing and asking people to stay home,' she said.
Bottoms added that Gov. Kemp has not explained to her which data he used to inform his decision.
'I'm looking at data that shows our numbers are not going down, we're still having thousands testing positive, our death rate is continuing to go up, the way it's been explained to me is simply because we have reached one peak does not mean we won't reach another.
'To make an assumption that we are out of the woods is not based on anything other than the desire to open up businesses.
'Some are willing to sacrifice lives for the sake of the economy and that is unacceptable to me,' she said.
Bottoms does not have the authority to apply one rule to Atlanta: whatever the governor decides for the entire state is what will apply in her city.
She said on Friday however that he could not 'supersede her voice'.
'To open up our state is irresponsible. Just because we have hospital beds and are not at capacity does not mean we need to fill them up,' she said.
She said she was 'surprised' to be on the same page as President Trump - who was hit with fresh criticism on Thursday night and Friday after suggesting people should disinfect themselves with bleach and 'ultra-violet lights' to get rid of the virus.
Among businesses that will reopen on Friday are bowling alleys and hair salons. The Midtown Bowl bowling alley is pictured earlier this week
Tattoo parlors will also be able to reopen under the governor's orders on Friday
A bartender serves customers at a roadside bar in Atlanta on Thursday. The customers did not wear masks
Kemp has ignored the mounting criticism.
He says that businesses are safe to reopen so long as they practice social distancing and hygiene measures that he said would be in place if the state waited several more weeks anyway.
In a string of tweets on Thursday, he said: 'With favorable data and approval from state health officials, we are taking another measured step forward by opening shuttered businesses for limited operations.
'I know these hardworking Georgians will prioritize the safety of their employees and customers.'
'Together, we will weather this storm and emerge stronger than ever,' he said.
Some beauty salons said they were fully booked for Friday before they even opened.
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