Source: Drew Angerer / Getty
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper took time out of his busy schedule to make an appearance on CNN last night. Out of the topics he discussed with Erin Burnett was the possibility of more restrictive measures including a rollback to a stay-at-home order.
“My current order will run out next week. All of our options are on the table to tighten things down,” Cooper said. We know we may need to do that.” Cooper has already implemented a strict mask mandate to try and drive down COVID-19 numbers.
The number of Coronavirus cases continues to climb in North Carolina. A staggering 5,845 new cases and 48 deaths were reported across the state on Thursday, which is the second-highest single-day total since the pandemic started back in March. Our numbers are much higher now compared to where we started nine months ago. The announcement of a impending vaccine coming to the Tar Heel state gives hope toward the fight against the virus, but there will be a limited supply of roughly 70,000 doses. And those at a higher risk will be the first to be inoculated.
“Hospitals have capacity right now,” Cooper added. “We’ve been staying in close contact with them, but we’re ready to do what we need to do to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians.”
The Governor makes this statement hours after visiting Gilero, a medical device manufacturer in Morrisville and Pittsboro that began making personal protective equipment when COVID-19 reached the United States. One very frustrating part of Cooper’s visit was the message he made with his body language. Part of protecting people during this pandemic is allowing them six feet (or more) of space, and clearly that wasn’t something he thought about during his visit.
Today’s front page of the Charlotte Observer shows Cooper nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with three other people walking with him on a tour of the plant. A great time for a photo op to showcase the good of North Carolina, but why is there a need to go against your own guidelines? Just one of the questions I have from one Governor to another.
We’ve seen COVID-19 hypocrisy with several elected officials lately. California Gov. Gavin Newsom decided to “wine and dine” at a fancy restaurant while ignoring his own orders. He later apologize for his actions because he knew it wouldn’t go over will with his constituents. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock took a flight to Mississippi to see family after telling folks to stay home and not make plans to see their family. And the one that takes the cake is Austin Mayor Steve Adler, who made a video urging people to stay home from a luxury resort suite in Mexico’s finest Cabo San Lucas.
Cooper hasn’t left the state (that we know of), but rules are rules. And there’s no difference when you break them.
Listen to my entire thoughts from Friday’s show below.
