Stacey Abrams deemed her former gubernatorial competitor “dangerously incompetent” after he announced that Georgia’s economy would begin to reopen.
On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that hair salons, bowling alleys, and tattoo parlors would begin to reopen on Friday while some restaurants can begin to resume in-house dining services on Monday. Although all businesses will be required to follow strict social distancing guidelines, Abrams condemned the decision.
“Georgia: 14th highest infection/7th lowest testing rate; less econ resilient & 1000s of low-wage workers already forced to risk their lives to make a living. Weakened healthcare w/closed rural hospitals, no Medicaid expansion & a doctor shortage. Reopen? Dangerously incompetent,” she tweeted after Kemp’s announcement.
Georgia: 14th highest infection/7th lowest testing rate; less econ resilient & 1000s of low-wage workers already forced to risk their lives to make a living. Weakened healthcare w/closed rural hospitals, no Medicaid expansion & a doctor shortage. Reopen? Dangerously incompetent. https://t.co/FFfk9EoN3l
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 20, 2020
As Abrams noted, Georgia has landed in the top third for all states when it comes to coronavirus cases. The state has seen nearly 19,000 confirmed cases and 733 related deaths.
Kemp argued that this was just a small step to return the state to normalcy. He noted that each business is required to have employees wear masks and gloves, test the temperature of workers, and enforce social distancing between customers.
“By taking this measured action, we will get Georgians back to work safely, without undermining the progress we all have made in this battle against COVID-19,” he said. “Today’s announcement is a small step forward and should be treated as such.”
Abrams lost a close race for governor to Kemp in 2018. She has since been floated as a potential vice presidential nominee for Joe Biden to run with in 2020.
“I would be an excellent running mate,” she said recently. “I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities. I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. I’ve spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy. I am ready to help advance an agenda of restoring America’s place in the world. If I am selected, I am prepared and excited to serve.”
