Georgia Gov. Brian and First Lady have tested negative after being exposed to a person who recently tested positive for coronavirus, his office said Friday.
“The Governor is currently quarantining due to direct exposure within the last 48 hours to an individual who recently tested positive.” Kemp’s office said in a statement. “The First Lady is not known to have been exposed to a confirmed case,”
Georgia Governor, Wife Quarantining After COVID-19 Exposure
Georgia Rep. Drew Ferguson also announced that he tested positive for coronavirus. Both he and Kemp were together earlier in the week at a rally in which many people didn’t wear masks or do social distancing.
Kemp has been a strident critic of any legislation that mandates that masks be worn by Georgia residents. Instead he has opted to wear them in public and promote them at appearances.
He has employed a series of executive orders for older Georgians to shelter in place while freeing the state’s businesses to conduct operations as close to normal as they can.
In May, Kemp tweeted: “I encourage all Georgians to continue to maintain social distancing, limit their travel, and use best practices. Gatherings of more than 10 people will not be allowed unless it is possible to maintain 6 feet of distance.”
I encourage all Georgians to continue to maintain social distancing, limit their travel, and use best practices. Gatherings of more than 10 people will not be allowed unless it is possible to maintain 6 feet of distance. Read the new Executive Order: https://t.co/foH4Y5kA4H pic.twitter.com/n5k5ihC2df
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 30, 2020
Kemp has been defiant in the face of critics who have said that Georgia is risking the lives of its residents by trying to resume normal life amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Kemp posted on Twitter recently that Georgia was ready to ramp up COVID-19 testing as it re-opens.
“We have numerous testing sites, physicians, & tests. We just need more Georgians to participate,” he said. “If you are symptomatic or work on the frontlines, download the Augusta University ExpressCare app or call 706-721-1852 to schedule a free test. RT to spread the word!”
Today we are taking another measured step to protect the lives – and livelihoods – of all Georgians. We will continue to work around the clock to follow the data, heed the advice of public health officials, and keep Georgia families safe. pic.twitter.com/kPFjAfDApW
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 30, 2020
Earlier in the year, Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms got into a public riff over her insistence on a mask mandate. Since then, the two have maintained a tense peace even as Bottoms and her family contracted COVID-19.
"Simply because we have hospital beds and we are not at capacity does not mean we need to work to fill them up." – Mayor @KeishaBottoms discussing #COVID19 on @GMA. pic.twitter.com/sdwW3P2zDr
— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) April 24, 2020
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
