MORGANTOWN — No new orders from Gov. Jim Justice during his Friday coronavirus press briefing. But he vented at length.
First, he vented about pressure. Some think, he said, that’s he’s opened gyms or other businesses simply because he’s caved to a flood of calls.
“I really believe a good governor is constantly talking to the people,” he said. That’s why his SUV has 205,000 mile on it. “But if you believe for a second these decisions that have been made that have gotten us to where we’ve gotten to right now have been made by a bunch of noise about people complaining, you’re just way out in left field.”
He also talked about political pressure: from Democrat legislators and federal lawmakers sending letters and issuing press releases with their plans on how to spend the state’s $1.25 billion in CARES Act money – on small businesses or local governments, for example.
“We’re preying on those who don’t know the numbers or those that understand,” he said. “And that’s you, West Virginians.” Sending $600 million here and $600 million there will wipe out the account before the federal rules are finalized and he can use some to backfill the revenue shortfall.
“Somebody pray tell just do the math,” he said. When it’s all gone, “Then what are we going to do at the state level, what are we going to do all over the place?”
Regarding a release from Sen. Joe Manchin, Justice said, “Joe needs to be in Washington.” He needs to push House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take care of the pandemic and quit bargaining on climate change and illegal immigration in relief bills.
“Does somebody not realize this pandemic is real and people are dying,” he asked, and that the economic fallout is debilitating. Congress needs to get dollars to West Virginia with the proper rules and guidelines to benefit all – including, he added later, help for businesses that are reopening but are not drawing enough customers to keep the doors open.”
“West Virginia stay together,” he said. “Please don’t listen to the noise.”
His daily caution about reopening too fast was also part vent. Talking about releasing guidelines for the gyms opening on Monday he said, “It seems like today everybody wants to be open. … “What are you going to do? We can’t just drop a hammer and say, ‘OK, everybody be open. Go do whatever you want to do.”
That will probably cause a new surge, he said. He’s going to try to reopen as fast as possible under the guidance of the medical experts. “I’m telling you there’s no playbook here.” There will be setbacks and they are prepared for it.
Friday morning’s COVID-19 numbers from the Department of Health and Human Resources were 1,447 positive cases out of 71,682 test results – a 2.02% cumulative rate – with 64 deaths.
In the context of those numbers, COVID-19 Czar Clay Marsh said the state has low positive rates but also little immunity. A new report shows that even talking can spread the infected droplets to others.
Talking outside is better than inside, according to the report, but this is another good reason to wear a mask to to protect ourselves and others. If 60% of the people wold wear masks, the risk of spreading the virus is minimal; getting 75-80% wearing masks is optimal.
DHHR Secretary said that free testing for the African-American residents in Berkeley, Jefferson, Raleigh and Mercer counties was underway and would continue on Saturday. Testing for African-American residents of Monongalia, Marion, Cabell and Kanawha counties is set for May 22-23, with times to be announced. No appointments or doctor referrals are needed.
Bureau of Public Health Commissioner Cathy Slemp said Justice would announce details on the new criteria for hot spot counties on Monday. They will be in communication with the current counties, including Mon and Marion, over the weekend.
The primary election is June 9 and Justice fielded a question on whether he’ll participate in a debate between now and then. He said he he hasn’t done much campaign work or talked much with his campaign staff, and hasn’t visited his downtown Charleston campaign headquarters.
“My job right now is this pandemic and looking ort for West Virginian and that’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
On the unemployment front, Justice reported that WorkForce West Virginia had paid out $551,529,554 in benefits from mid-March through May 12. Some people are still frustrated and waiting and WorkForce is working on it.
Tweet David Beard @dbeardtdp Email dbeard@dominionpost.com
