Varney: This state's governor has defied naysayers on coronavirus reopening
Political courage is a commodity in short supply these days
On Monday, April 20, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp allowed some businesses to reopen. The Peach State led the way.
Immediately, the governor, who is a Republican, came in for harsh criticism. Democrats called his action "reckless," "premature" and "dangerous."
In June, there was a significant increase in the number of new coronavirus cases, and the up-trend continued into July. Gov. Kemp was again harshly criticized: you opened too early.
But he didn't back down. Much of Georgia stayed open, and look at 'em now.
According to the Wall Street Journal, new cases are down 30% since July 26. Hospitalizations down 23%.
And, the unemployment rate was just 7.6% in July. It was 10.2% nationally.
Chris Heithaus wears a mask as he wraps silverware at a Waffle House restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, on April 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)
Georgia is not asking for a taxpayer bailout. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants $1 trillion. By comparison, Georgia is looking good.
Kemp clearly has a backbone. He took the heat.
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Imagine if Joe Biden were president. He says he has no problem shutting down the whole country again, on the advice of a committee of scientists. Democratic-run states, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, California – they're all wallowing in a shut-down recession.
Gov. Kemp defied the naysayers and stood up for the freedom to make a living. He displayed political courage, a commodity in short supply these days.
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Adapted from Stuart Varney's "My Take" monologue on "Varney & Co." on Aug. 25, 2020.