A coalition of Georgia health care providers have written a letter to Governor Brian Kemp requesting he addresses deficiencies in his recent executive order responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter contends that there are two loopholes in the order, which extends the Shelter-in-Place restrictions to the end of April, that put citizens, healthcare providers, and the state’s healthcare infrastructure at risk.
“First, we ask that you amend your executive order to allow local jurisdictions to implement more stringent measures, as needed, to control the pandemic, and that you explicitly order that Georgia’s beaches and state parks be closed,” the letter reads. “Second, we ask that you immediately amend your order and explicitly ban in-person worship services for all faiths.”
“This is crucial as we are now in the midst of Passover (April 8-16), with Easter (April 12) and Ramadan (April 23-May 23) rapidly approaching,” the letter continues. “Our citizens of faith deserve no less from their government given the risk that gatherings, such as these, pose.”
The letter was spearheaded by Melanie Thompson, MD, Wendy S. Armstrong, MD, and Jonathan Calasanti, MD, MSPH. However, it has been co-signed by more than 100 health care professionals from across Georgia.
Read the full letter:
2020 0409 COVID19 Healthcare Provider Letter to Gov Kemp FINAL[52698]
At the time of writing, there have been 10,885 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 412 deaths in the state of Georgia.