MORGANTOWN — Gov. Jim Justice said during his Wednesday COVID-19 press briefing that an oversight in his The Comeback plan took him by surprise.
“I never dreamed in all my life that we’d gotten all these calls in regard to the tanning businesses,” he said.
Because of those calls, he announced that tanning businesses will be allowed to reopen May 21, as part of that day’s Week 4 reopenings. Justice said guidelines would be posted on Wednesday.
Justice expanded on his daily plea for all residents to respond to the US Census. He mentions it each day because the federal government uses census figures to allot federal dollar proportionately.
West Virginia’s response level should be somewhere in the 805 to 90% range by now, he said, but it ranges from a high of 64.8% in Wood County to a low of 4.7% in McDowell County. “That’s just not good enough, West Virginia.”
He displayed a chart showing the response level for all 55 counties. Monongalia stood at 54.5%,
Marion at 51.1%, Preston at 50.5%.
“C’mon, West Virginia, let’s go,” he said. “We’re running out of time.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reports on its website that it has extended the time for citizens to respond because of the coronavirus. The response period now runs though Oct. 31.
Citizens may respond online at my2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or return the paper questionnaire by mail in the envelope included with the questionnaire.
Justice tried to offer some solace to businesses still waiting on the opportunity to reopen. “Please try ot be patient. We’re working it. … We have got to remember we really need to take baby steps in this.”
He urged business owners to work for all the federal aid they can. “There’s no crystal balls here. … Please be patient. I know it’s terribly hard.”
Justice admitted he didn’t know how to respond to a question on a topic that’s not been raised yet. People want to know if they can run yard sales – at the individual or community level.
Making his best guess, he said the limit of gatherings to 25 people would apply, and everyone should wear masks and observe social distancing. He admitted they will have to think more about it and may have to modify what he just said.
In response to another question, Justice said his previous comments on businesses being covered by business interruption insurance during the pandemic may have been misconstrued. Some businesses’ claim are being denied, he was told, and he responded that he said business owners should examine their policies, but not that he was guaranteeing everyone is covered.
Another question dealt with the security of the state as people from border counties come in. The example of Loudoun County, Va., was cited. That county had 1,283 positive cases Wednesday afternoon – nearly as many as all of West Virginia, with 38 deaths. And Virginia plans to ease some of its restrictions on May 28.
“There’s no perfect solution and that’s just all there is to it,” Justice said. Businesses here should stay on the watch. “I think we’re OK right now. But we’ve got to just stay on top of it.” if numbers spike, they’ll be on it.
And West Virginia residents who are elderly or otherwise vulnerable should consider staying in and staying safe for another couple of weeks.
COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh agreed, saying they may see local issues – such as in the Eastern Panhandle, that don’t affect the entire state and will be addressed locally.
Justice noted that this is National Skilled Nursing Care Week and called on all to think of an honor the 15,000 residents who are working in nursing homes during the pandemic. It’s also National Foster Care Month and Justice reminded all that foster kids are going through a doubly tough time during the pandemic.
Wednesday’s coronavirus numbers from the Department of Health and Human Resources were 1,404 positive cases out of 67,110 test results – a 2.09% cumulative rate – with 59 deaths.
While the daily positive growth rate saw a spike, the cumulative rate continues to fall and the gap widens between recovered and active cases. Wednesday morning saw 855 recovered cases to 477 active.
But he again urged caution. “You’ve got to absolutely be careful. Use all the guidelines.”
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