Politics & Government
Black Coalition Requests Meeting With Gov. Kemp: Coronavirus
A coalition of black organizations is asking Gov. Kemp for a meeting to discuss ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
ATLANTA, GA — A local group of black organizations is requesting an emergency meeting with Gov. Brian Kemp to discuss how to slow the spread of COVID-19 among African Americans, the elderly and the incarcerated. Georgia Coalition 2 Save Lives sent the letter to the governor Wednesday asking for a meeting on or before May 12, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Kemp’s office received the letter electronically Wednesday night, according to the AJC.
The group represents a variety of black organizations from the local, regional and national level.
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They want to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus for Georgians. As of Thursday midday, the outbreak in Georgia included 30 more deaths, the Georgia Department of Public Health released in its daily report. The updated numbers reflect an increase of nearly 700 new cases from noon Thursday, bringing the total to 31,260 coronavirus cases statewide and a total of 1,335 deaths.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black people make up 83 percent of Georgians who have been hospitalized with COVID-19.
“All of us are alarmed by the images we see of people interacting in public without adhering to safety measures,” the letter stated. “This poses a risk not only to their own health, but also the health of the general public, including essential workers, employees of newly reopened businesses and people in vulnerable and rural communities.”
“This life-altering crisis calls for consultation, collaboration, and cooperation among us all, especially when vulnerable and rural communities are still facing high death rates from an invisible enemy,” the letter stated. “Georgians will benefit from a consensus among political and community leaders to guide a moral and ethical response plan that addresses both the health and economic implications of the COVID-19 crisis.”
The group didn’t say what the next steps would be if Kemp declines their meeting deadline.
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