Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear responded Sunday to weekend protests at the state capitol against social distancing policies.
The weekend protests featured members of the state General Assembly and armed demonstrators. Beshear said in-person protests jeopardize the health of Kentuckians.
“That’s just reckless,” Beshear said. “We’re living in a worldwide health pandemic that can kill so many.”
Beshear also said legislators should set a positive example by expressing their disagreements with the governor in responsible ways.
“It’s okay to disagree, but if you are a leader people listen to, be responsible in how you do it,” he said.
Beshear also responded to a federal court decision allowing drive-in church services to continue, in line with current guidance from the state government regarding worship services in the commonwealth.
“I’m fine with the decision. It’s the exact policy we’ve had in place,” Beshear said.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Beshear’s order raises concerns regarding targeting religious individuals in Kentucky. He said houses of worship should not be restricted while other areas of the economy are open.
“Churches should have the same flexibility as secular groups to resume operations, in accordance with social distancing guidelines,” Cameron said in a statement.
Beshear announced a total of 253 coronavirus cases for Saturday and Sunday. The total number of cases in the commonwealth now sits at 5,130.
The new cases reported Saturday come from Jefferson, Boone, Warren, Fayette, Daviess, Kenton, Muhlenberg, Grayson, Hopkins, Grant, Campbell, Butler, Henry, Logan, Meade, Ohio, Shelby, Anderson, Bullitt, Calloway, Christian, Franklin, Henderson, Letcher, Livingston, McCracken, McLean, Monroe, Nelson, Oldham, Perry, Simpson and Webster counties.
Five deaths were confirmed Saturday with zero reported as of the beginning of Beshear’s press conference Sunday. A total of 253 Kentuckians are dead as a result of the coronavirus.
A total of at least 58,408 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the commonwealth. Beshear said an average of 50 testees per drive-thru site are not showing up at their predetermined test time.
“You can’t be doing that, we need you to keep the appointments that you sign up.”
(This story first ran on Kentucky Public Radio.)
