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COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (U.S. state)
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==State and local government responses== ===State government=== [[File:11 ALIVE COVID Interview - 49670985371.jpg|thumb|[[Brigadier General]] Dwayne Wilson, director of joint staff of the [[Georgia National Guard]], speaks with reporters from [[11 Alive]] about the Georgia Guard's response to COVID-19 in the joint operations center at the [[Clay National Guard Center]] on March 17, 2020.]] All state lawmakers and their staff members were urged to self-quarantine on March 18 after state Senator [[Brandon Beach]] tested positive. Beach had displayed symptoms for nearly a week, and despite knowing his COVID-19 test was pending, he went to work at the state capitol on March 16 when emergency legislation was passed. Beach explained in an interview that he "was cleared to go back to normal duties" and added that "[i]n no way, shape or form would [he] ever intentionally expose anyone".<ref name="ajc-beach-interview-2020">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=AJC Interview: Brandon Beach talks about coronavirus diagnosis that upended Capitol |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/ajc-interview-brandon-beach-talks-about-coronavirus-diagnosis-that-upended-capitol/09iSdR7sMqIsw9j1Y4f1qN/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527185007/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/ajc-interview-brandon-beach-talks-about-coronavirus-diagnosis-that-upended-capitol/09iSdR7sMqIsw9j1Y4f1qN/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Governor Kemp, who was also potentially exposed, said he would not self-quarantine or be tested because his time around others was "severely limited" and he "never interacted with any legislators".<ref name="ajc-prabhu-bluestein">{{cite web |last1=Prabhu |first1=Maya T. |last2=Bluestein |first2=Greg |title=Ga. lawmakers urged to self-quarantine after senator's positive coronavirus test |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-state-senator-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/ieL8pvOR1KHzy9woAeGFHL/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523224656/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-state-senator-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/ieL8pvOR1KHzy9woAeGFHL/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kemp has faced criticism that his efforts to stop the virus' spread are not forceful enough.<ref name="kemp-broadcast-criticism">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=AJC IN-DEPTH: Kemp urges Georgians to heed virus warnings but balks at drastic steps |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/ajc-depth-kemp-urges-georgians-heed-virus-warnings-but-balks-drastic-steps/1NCs5550hxcF9M2XZzM8LM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173034/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/ajc-depth-kemp-urges-georgians-heed-virus-warnings-but-balks-drastic-steps/1NCs5550hxcF9M2XZzM8LM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a primetime television "town hall" on March 26 simulcast on all of Atlanta's major network stations as well as by statewide PBS member [[Georgia Public Broadcasting]] and over 140 [[List of radio stations in Georgia (U.S. state)|radio stations across the state]] — Kemp appeared with members of the state coronavirus task force, including Atlanta mayor Bottoms, DPH commissioner Kathleen Toomey, [[Georgia Emergency Management Agency]] director Homer Bryson, and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire commissioner John King.<ref name="kemp-broadcast-stations">{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Rodney |title=Gov. Brian Kemp coronavirus town hall to air on WSB, WAGA, WXIA, WGCL, GPB |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/gov-brian-kemp-coronavirus-town-hall-air-wsb-waga-wxia-wgcl-gpb/33Tuv2SbbDUV3pDS1Umu4L/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402001341/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/gov-brian-kemp-coronavirus-town-hall-air-wsb-waga-wxia-wgcl-gpb/33Tuv2SbbDUV3pDS1Umu4L/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 28, Governor Kemp's top aide Tim Fleming said on social media that "[t]he media and some in the medical profession are peddling these doomsday models and projections... This has in turn resulted in people panicking and local governments across our state overreacting. As a result of their overreach, many small businesses will struggle and some will not reopen." Around the same time, Atlanta mayor Bottoms warned that city hospitals were projected to be "filled beyond capacity" by May 3, and Toomey said the situation would "get much worse".<ref name="judd-trubey-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Judd |first1=Alan |last2=Trubey |first2=J. Scott |title='Explosive spread' of coronavirus in Georgia likely to worsen |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/explosive-spread-coronavirus-georgia-likely-worsen/u2AjXOD5KD6mCctVLc99OM/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 28, 2020 |archive-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507152554/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional/explosive-spread-coronavirus-georgia-likely-worsen/u2AjXOD5KD6mCctVLc99OM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ===State announces reopening=== As of April 21, the state had over 20,000 confirmed cases<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-nearly-800-coronavirus-deaths-881-confirmed-cases-georgia/P8bqjdUNaCtO39N7lQpWmN/|title=Georgia surpasses 20K cases of COVID-19, reaches 818 deaths|first1=Chelsea|last1=Prince|first2=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|last2=Zachary Hansen|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=June 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607093128/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-nearly-800-coronavirus-deaths-881-confirmed-cases-georgia/P8bqjdUNaCtO39N7lQpWmN//|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted on that day that June 19 would be the earliest safe date for Georgia to relax its social distancing measures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.healthdata.org/covid/updates |title=COVID-19 estimation updates | Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation |date=March 24, 2020 |publisher=Healthdata.org |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604152437/http://www.healthdata.org/covid/updates |url-status=live }}</ref> Nonetheless, on April 20 Governor Kemp announced that many businesses could reopen on April 24, including "gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors", with movie theaters and restaurants at 50% capacity allowed to reopen on April 27.<ref name="cbsnews1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-brian-kemp-governor-businesses-reopen-friday/ |title=Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp allowing many businesses to reopen Friday |work=CBS News |date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523173303/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-brian-kemp-governor-businesses-reopen-friday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ====Reactions to the reopening==== The governor's reopening decision brought widespread condemnation from inside and outside of Georgia,<ref name="cbsnews1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/21/georgia-leads-race-become-americas-no-1-death-destination/ |title=Georgia leads the race to become America's No. 1 Death Destination |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606023636/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/21/georgia-leads-race-become-americas-no-1-death-destination/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms saying she would "continue to ask Atlantans to please stay at home"; [[Stacey Abrams]], the 2018 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] candidate for governor, calling reopening "dangerously incompetent";<ref name="cbsnews1"/> and even President Trump (who otherwise had generally been advocating for lifting stay-at-home orders, especially in states with Democratic governors) saying at the April 22 press briefing that Georgia "can wait a little longer... safety has to predominate."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-georgia-trump-kemp_n_5ea0c674c5b69150246d0bfd|title=Trump Tells Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp He's Reopening State 'Too Soon'|last=Bobic|first=Igor|date=April 22, 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=May 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507201002/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-georgia-trump-kemp_n_5ea0c674c5b69150246d0bfd|url-status=live}}</ref> ====May surge in cases==== As a result of the state's reopening, COVID-19 cases and deaths were predicted to rise in Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/cases-deaths-projected-rise-state-reopens/q4jJqCtX9bmqujkZPa5OdK/|title=Coronavirus cases, deaths projected to rise as Georgia reopens|last=Mariano|first=Willoughby|date=May 6, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605010426/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/cases-deaths-projected-rise-state-reopens/q4jJqCtX9bmqujkZPa5OdK/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first two weeks following the April 24th reopening, the gradual downward trend in new daily cases and deaths continued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-covid-dashboard/jvoLBozRtBSVSNQDDAuZxH/|title=Coronavirus in Georgia: COVID-19 Dashboard|date=May 18, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=May 18, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606135648/https://www.ajc.com/news/coronavirus-georgia-covid-dashboard/jvoLBozRtBSVSNQDDAuZxH/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 9 the decline trend of new cases dissolved, and May 13 began a "second wave" of increasing daily rates of new cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report|title=COV19 Cases Over Time; 7-day average|access-date=March 14, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605120521/https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report|url-status=live}}</ref> ====Coronavirus task force==== Governor Kemp first announced the creation of an 18-member coronavirus task force on February 28.<ref name="ap-task-force-feb">{{cite web |work=Associated Press |title=Georgia governor creates coronavirus task force |url=https://apnews.com/dcd8f617932f1f82fbc9d6d4b4bbccab |publisher=AP News |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=February 28, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229194623/https://apnews.com/dcd8f617932f1f82fbc9d6d4b4bbccab |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kemp-pr-03-02">{{cite web |title=Gov. Kemp Names Coronavirus Task Force |url=https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-02/gov-kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527165143/https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-02/gov-kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 12, Kemp announced that he was expanding the task force to include four new committees: the Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by John King; the Economic Impact Committee, chaired by Jeffrey Dorfman; the Primary Care Physicians Committee, chaired by Ben Watson (R–Savannah); and the Committee for the Homeless and Displaced, chaired by Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta.<ref name="03-12-kemp">{{cite web |title=Gov. Kemp Urges Calm, Announces Coronavirus Task Force Subcommittees |url=https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-12/gov-kemp-urges-calm-announces-coronavirus-task-force-subcommittees |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 12, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527221412/https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-12/gov-kemp-urges-calm-announces-coronavirus-task-force-subcommittees |url-status=live }}</ref> This increased the task force's size to 66 members.<ref name="bluestein-ajc-task-force-66">{{cite web |last1=Bluestein |first1=Greg |title=Kemp expands Georgia's coronavirus task force as pandemic spreads |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-expands-georgia-coronavirus-task-force-pandemic-spreads/Cmvu0TS30JjDXxaq1MkNMO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424170704/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-expands-georgia-coronavirus-task-force-pandemic-spreads/Cmvu0TS30JjDXxaq1MkNMO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 20, Kemp revealed the complete list of committee members.<ref name="kemp-task-force-03-20-2020">{{cite web |title=Kemp Names Coronavirus Task Force Committees |url=https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-20/kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force-committees |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420032046/https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-03-20/kemp-names-coronavirus-task-force-committees |url-status=live }}</ref> Kemp added a fifth committee on April 5, the Community Outreach Committee, co-chaired by Bernice A. King and Leo Smith.<ref name="asb-ajc-kemp">{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Asia Simone |title=Kemp expands coronavirus task force with community outreach committee |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/kemp-expands-coronavirus-task-force-with-community-outreach-committee/JXEaBs8xUVhG0AslZpwaoK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=April 24, 2020 |date=April 5, 2020 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408045740/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/kemp-expands-coronavirus-task-force-with-community-outreach-committee/JXEaBs8xUVhG0AslZpwaoK/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ====Quarantine sites==== On March 9, Governor Kemp announced the preparation of [[Hard Labor Creek State Park]], located in [[Morgan County, Georgia|Morgan County]], as a quarantine destination for diagnosed individuals "without other options".<ref name="ajc-corona-redmon"/><ref>{{cite web|date=March 9, 2020|title=State park outside Atlanta being prepared for coronavirus isolation|last=Braverman|first=Jason|work=11Alive|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/hard-labor-creek-state-park-coronavirus/85-90b7939e-46c5-46c7-a3ba-1dff5f068d06|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150829/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/hard-labor-creek-state-park-coronavirus/85-90b7939e-46c5-46c7-a3ba-1dff5f068d06|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 10, a coronavirus patient from [[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee County]], who did not need hospitalization but lacked adequate quarantine conditions at home, became the first to be relocated to the park; he was released on March 15.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 10, 2020|title=First coronavirus patient relocated to Hard Labor Creek State Park|last=King|first=Michael|work=11Alive|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-patient-hard-labor-creek-park/85-dc5e4b1b-eb13-4e28-b217-a86e7c105d18|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150820/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-patient-hard-labor-creek-park/85-dc5e4b1b-eb13-4e28-b217-a86e7c105d18|url-status=live}}</ref> A second person arrived on March 17.<ref name="ajc-corona-redmon">{{cite web |last1=Redmon |first1=Jeremy |title=Second coronavirus patient arrives at Georgia's special quarantine site |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/second-coronavirus-patient-arrives-georgia-special-quarantine-site/wd3FbOD7MhZaQpxdmmRA5J/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422021045/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/second-coronavirus-patient-arrives-georgia-special-quarantine-site/wd3FbOD7MhZaQpxdmmRA5J/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Georgia stopped using this location on March 24. {{citation needed|date=April 2020}} A second quarantine site was constructed at the [[Georgia Department of Public Safety]] in [[Forsyth, Georgia|Forsyth]], [[Monroe County, Georgia|Monroe County]]. The area houses twenty trailers<ref name="46-charles">{{cite web |last1=Charles |first1=Kerry |title=Kemp: Quarantine site nears completion in Monroe County |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/kemp-quarantine-site-nears-completion-in-monroe-county |publisher=Fox 5 Atlanta |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 18, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512005023/https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/kemp-quarantine-site-nears-completion-in-monroe-county |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cbs46-kennedy">{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Jamie |title=COVID-19 quarantine sites pop up outside of Atlanta city limits |url=https://www.cbs46.com/news/covid--quarantine-sites-pop-up-outside-of-atlanta-city/article_883e8800-658c-11ea-97a6-d396dead4011.html |publisher=CBS 46 |access-date=March 19, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173033/https://www.cbs46.com/news/covid--quarantine-sites-pop-up-outside-of-atlanta-city/article_883e8800-658c-11ea-97a6-d396dead4011.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with room for up to 40 patients. This site opened on March 24, replacing the old site.<ref name="redmon-ajc-sites">{{cite web |last1=Redmon |first1=Jeremy |title=Georgia closes isolation, monitoring site for coronavirus patients |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-closes-isolation-monitoring-site-for-coronavirus-patients/qcsF6o7p49ifx6xwhlcWjK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326102604/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/georgia-closes-isolation-monitoring-site-for-coronavirus-patients/qcsF6o7p49ifx6xwhlcWjK/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ====Prisons==== {{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prisons}} The [[Georgia Department of Corrections]] (DOC) suspended visitations and announced additional sanitation measures, but the ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' reported that inmates had seen no extra soap.<ref name="covid-ga-doc-prisons">{{cite web |last1=Boone |first1=Christian |last2=Sharpe |first2=Joshua |title='No extra soap': Georgia inmates say prisons not ready for COVID-19 |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/inmates-say-state-federal-prisons-ill-prepared-for-covid/JPgQovDI7tvdY3Jmh6vwvK/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 21, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173036/https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/inmates-say-state-federal-prisons-ill-prepared-for-covid/JPgQovDI7tvdY3Jmh6vwvK/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A prison worker was confirmed to have COVID-19 on March 18 — the DOC, citing "security and [[HIPAA]] restrictions", declined to name the affected prison. The first detected case on COVID-19 in a prison inmate was at Lee State Prison two days later, on March 20.<ref name="prison-covid-positive-03-20">{{cite news |last1=Blau |first1=Max |last2=Sharpe |first2=Joshua |title=NEW FINDINGS: Georgia prison inmate tests positive for COVID-19 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-georgia-prison-inmate-tests-positive-for-covid/2U3hE09fRS6WG9SMHOYZ7I/ |access-date=March 21, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527100021/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-georgia-prison-inmate-tests-positive-for-covid/2U3hE09fRS6WG9SMHOYZ7I/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ====Department of Public Health==== [[File: Visit images Page 200323-A-AQ105-097.jpg|thumb|Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Pervis Brown and 2nd Lt. Austin Brumby track mission assignments from the [[Georgia Emergency Management Agency]] at the Joint Force Headquarters in Marietta, March 23, 2020.]] The Department of Public Health (DPH) releases daily coronavirus statistics, including the number of confirmed cases, deaths, positive tests, and total tests, as well as breakdowns by age, sex, and county. DPH recently began releasing numbers twice a day at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and starting on March 24 included the number of hospitalizations. On March 27, the DPH updated the state map on its website. The DPH does not release figures regarding its backlog of tests, a measure that other states have taken.<ref name="tests-ajc-25">{{cite web |last1=Trubey |first1=J. Scott |title=No timetable for widespread virus testing amid ongoing test scarcity |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/timetable-for-widespread-virus-testing-amid-ongoing-test-scarcity/oKpCMimtpgDidMAoCThROO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173032/https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/timetable-for-widespread-virus-testing-amid-ongoing-test-scarcity/oKpCMimtpgDidMAoCThROO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 13, the DPH pulled a bar graph showing trends in new cases among Georgia's counties, that had been published with its bars not properly placed in chronological order (giving the false impression of descending case counts).<ref>{{Cite news|title='It's just cuckoo': state's latest data mishap causes critics to cry foul|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/just-cuckoo-state-latest-data-mishap-causes-critics-cry-foul/182PpUvUX9XEF8vO11NVGO/|last1=Mariano|first1=Willoughby|first2=J. Scott|last2=Trubey|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=2020-05-17|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605201603/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/just-cuckoo-state-latest-data-mishap-causes-critics-cry-foul/182PpUvUX9XEF8vO11NVGO/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia's Covid-19 cases aren't declining as quickly as initial data suggested they were|url=https://www.vox.com/covid-19-coronavirus-us-response-trump/2020/5/18/21262265/georgia-covid-19-cases-declining-reopening|last=Collins|first=Sean|date=2020-05-18|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19|archive-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604165321/https://www.vox.com/covid-19-coronavirus-us-response-trump/2020/5/18/21262265/georgia-covid-19-cases-declining-reopening|url-status=live}}</ref> ===County and city governments=== {{Update|type=section|date=July 2020|reason=}}[[File:COVID-19 sign in Glynn County, GA, US.jpg|right|thumb|Sign in Glynn County]] In addition to Atlanta, the cities of [[Brookhaven, Georgia|Brookhaven]], [[Clarkston, Georgia|Clarkston]], [[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]] and [[Dunwoody]] have approved plans to ban dine-in service at restaurants. Clarkston also banned gatherings of more than ten people.<ref name="ajc-deere-quinn"/> [[South Fulton, Georgia|South Fulton]] on March 17 instituted a [[curfew]] from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM, with work and medical exceptions.<ref name="ajc-brasch-03-18-2020"/> [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]]–[[Clarke County, Georgia|Clarke County]] declared on March 19 that "all individuals... shall [[stay-at-home order|shelter at their place of residence]]", though with exceptions.<ref name="athens-clarke-order-march-19">{{cite web |title=An Ordinance for the Second Declaration of a Local State of Emergency Related to COVID-19; and for Other Purposes |url=https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/67248/03-Ordinance-for-the-Second-Declaration-of-a-Local-State-of-Emergency-Related-to-COVID-19 |publisher=Athens–Clarke County |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320031013/https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/67248/03-Ordinance-for-the-Second-Declaration-of-a-Local-State-of-Emergency-Related-to-COVID-19 |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ajc-athens-hansen">{{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Zachary |title=BREAKING: Athens passes mandatory 'shelter in place' order to try to quell coronavirus spread |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-athens-passes-mandatory-shelter-place-order-try-quell-coronavirus-spread/gLKKEow5qe4437hFEuRUEO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501114254/https://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/breaking-athens-passes-mandatory-shelter-place-order-try-quell-coronavirus-spread/gLKKEow5qe4437hFEuRUEO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb County]] CEO [[Michael Thurmond]] declared a state of emergency on March 23<ref name="dekalb-eo-list">{{cite web |title=State of Emergency Executive Order |url=https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/covid-19/state-emergency-executive-order |website=DeKalb County |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403231520/https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/covid-19/state-emergency-executive-order |url-status=live }}</ref> and later issued a stay-at-home order effective from March 28 and to last indefinitely. The order does not affect cities within DeKalb County,<ref name="estep-dekalb-sah-order">{{cite web |last1=Estep |first1=Tyler |title=DeKalb County issues stay-at-home order |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-dekalb-county-issues-stay-home-order/94cJyGdWEUhu9zJfX4upZJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512025350/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/breaking-dekalb-county-issues-stay-home-order/94cJyGdWEUhu9zJfX4upZJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but the order "invites all of the cities to adopt this Order so that the [r]ules within all of DeKalb County are uniform".<ref name="eo-20-002-dekalb">{{cite web |title=Executive Order No. 20-002 |url=https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/users/user715/Stay%20at%20Home%20Order%20FINAL.pdf |publisher=DeKalb County |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173033/https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/users/user715/Stay |url-status=live }}</ref> The city of [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] declared a state of emergency on March 19, and mayor [[Van Johnson]] issued a stay-at-home order on March 24, effective through April 8. Johnson said that the order was "necessary and prudent to enhance and escalate our action plan to minimize the exposure of Savannahians to this virus".<ref name="smn-shelter-24"/> On March 26, [[Effingham County, Georgia|Effingham County]] declared a state of emergency and "urged" residents to shelter in place.<ref name="rigsby-effingham-emergency">{{cite web |last1=Rigsby |first1=G. G. |title=Effingham County declares state of emergency |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200326/effingham-county-declares-state-of-emergency |publisher=Savannah Morning News |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501042059/https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200326/effingham-county-declares-state-of-emergency |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Springfield, Georgia|Springfield]] declared an emergency the same day. {{citation needed|date=April 2020}} On March 20, [[Tybee Island]] closed its public beaches and banned the open consumption of alcohol. The island town also ordered all businesses on the island to close from 11 pm to 7 am.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20200319/tybee-island-announces-business-hour-restrictions-city-closures-due-to-coronavirus|title=Tybee Island announces business hour restrictions, city closures due to coronavirus|publisher=[[Savannah Morning News]]|date=March 19, 2020}}</ref> On March 28, mayor Shirley Sessions ordered all non-essential businesses on the island to close and banned large groups from March 28 through April 9.<ref name="tybee-official-closure">{{cite web |title=Tybee Mayor Orders Closure of Non-Essential Businesses |url=https://cityoftybee.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=531 |website=City of Tybee Island, Georgia |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329002900/https://www.cityoftybee.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=531 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="wtoc-tybee">{{cite web |author1=Staff |title=Tybee Island mayor issues order closing all non-essential businesses |url=https://www.wtoc.com/2020/03/27/tybee-island-mayor-issues-order-closing-all-non-essential-businesses/ |publisher=WTOC 11 |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515130223/https://www.wtoc.com/2020/03/27/tybee-island-mayor-issues-order-closing-all-non-essential-businesses/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Gwinnett County]] issued a stay-at-home order effective March 28 through April 13. The order covers the county as well as its 16 cities.<ref name="kass-gwinnett-order">{{cite web |last1=Kass |first1=Arielle |title=Gwinnett County, cities order residents to stay at home |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gwinnett-county-cities-order-residents-stay-home/Vt50guOjXQMDOK93S2QFWJ/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173032/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gwinnett-county-cities-order-residents-stay-home/Vt50guOjXQMDOK93S2QFWJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+Georgia cities and counties under executive orders !Municipality !Emergency !Stay-at-home !Curfew !Date !Length |- |Athens–Clarke County | |Yes | |March 19, 2020 | |- |Atlanta |Yes |Yes | |March 23, 2020 | |- |[[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency/article_f9ea36cc-6e27-11ea-8eb8-9bc71282d9fc.html|title=Cobb County declares state of emergency|author=Marietta Daily Journal News Staff|website=MDJonline.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150813/https://www.mdjonline.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency/article_f9ea36cc-6e27-11ea-8eb8-9bc71282d9fc.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency-orders-residents-to-shelter-in-place|title=Cobb County declares state of emergency, orders residents to 'shelter in place'|author=Fox 5 Atlanta News Staff|website=fox5atlanta.com|date=March 24, 2020|language=en-US|access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150753/https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-declares-state-of-emergency-orders-residents-to-shelter-in-place|url-status=live}}</ref> |Yes | | |March 24, 2020 |April 15, 2020 |- |DeKalb County |Yes |Yes | |March 28, 2020 |indefinite |- |Dougherty County | |Yes | |March 20, 2020 | |- |Effingham County |Yes | | |March 26, 2020 | |- |Gwinnett County | |Yes | |March 28, 2020 |April 13, 2020 |- |Savannah |Yes |Yes | |March 24, 2020 |April 8, 2020 |- |South Fulton | | |Yes |March 17, 2020 | |} ==== Mask mandate conflict ==== Amidst a rise in cases in July 2020, a number of areas enacted mandates requiring the [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|wearing of face coverings]] in public spaces when social distancing is not possible, including Atlanta (whose mayor [[Keisha Lance Bottoms]] has been among Georgians who have tested positive; Bottoms also rolled back the city to Phase 1 guidance, discouraging dine-in restaurants).<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Sued to Block Atlanta's Face Mask Ordinance. Here's What to Know|url=https://time.com/5868613/georgia-governor-brian-kemp-face-mask-atlanta-keisha-lance-bottoms/|access-date=2020-07-25|magazine=Time|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093443/https://time.com/5868613/georgia-governor-brian-kemp-face-mask-atlanta-keisha-lance-bottoms/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tests positive for coronavirus|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-test-positive-coronavirus/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150823/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-test-positive-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Governor Kemp declared such orders to be unenforceable as they are a stricter mitigation than those specified by the state. On July 15, Kemp signed an executive order overruling all mask mandates not issued by the state, and prohibiting any future mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Klar|first=Rebecca|date=2020-07-15|title=Georgia governor overrides all local mask orders in the state|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/507600-georgia-governor-overrides-all-local-mask-orders-in-the-state|access-date=2020-07-16|website=TheHill|language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093414/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/507600-georgia-governor-overrides-all-local-mask-orders-in-the-state|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|title=Kemp's office: Mask mandates in Georgia are 'unenforceable'|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-office-mask-mandates-georgia-are-unenforceable/IqZR7R53hjSS6aR3MRtmHM/|access-date=2020-07-16|website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150753/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/kemp-office-mask-mandates-georgia-are-unenforceable/IqZR7R53hjSS6aR3MRtmHM/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bluestein|first1=Greg|last2=Brasch|first2=Ben|title=A growing number of Georgia cities require masks over Kemp's objection|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/growing-number-georgia-cities-require-masks-over-kemp-objection/rLK5RODzq1EVJiyebeIi2H/|access-date=2020-07-16|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150741/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/growing-number-georgia-cities-require-masks-over-kemp-objection/rLK5RODzq1EVJiyebeIi2H/|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, Kemp filed a lawsuit against the city council of Atlanta and Mayor Bottoms, asserting that she "does not have the legal authority to modify, change or ignore Governor Kemp's executive orders". Bottoms criticized Kemp's action, saying that her order was enforceable and stands, and that "public health experts overwhelmingly agree that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this sometimes deadly virus".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Sues Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Over Face Mask Order|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/16/892109883/georgia-gov-brian-kemp-sues-atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-over-face-mask-or|access-date=2020-07-17|website=NPR.org|date=July 16, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093433/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/16/892109883/georgia-gov-brian-kemp-sues-atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-over-face-mask-or|url-status=live|last1=Romo |first1=Vanessa }}</ref> On August 13, Kemp abruptly dropped the suit, and announced the next day that localized mask mandates would be allowed if certain criteria are met.<ref name="ajc-reversal">{{Cite web|last=Bluestein|first=Greg|title=In reversal, Kemp's new order to let some cities impose mask mandates|url=https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/kemps-new-order-to-allow-some-cities-to-impose-mask-mandates/Z64MTLEXMVCEFEHESMUEG3BERI/v/|access-date=2020-08-19|website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008180357/https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/kemps-new-order-to-allow-some-cities-to-impose-mask-mandates/Z64MTLEXMVCEFEHESMUEG3BERI/v/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 16, State Representative [[Vernon Jones]] expressed his opposition to mask mandates by [[Crowd surfing|crowdsurfing]] without a mask at a 7,000 person campaign rally for DonaldTrump in [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]]. Many rally attendees were also maskless, despite [[Bibb County, Georgia|Bibb County]]'s mask mandate.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Montgomery|first=Blake|date=2020-10-16|title=Georgia Politician Vernon Jones Crowdsurfs Sans Mask at Trump Rally|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/georgia-politician-vernon-jones-crowdsurfs-sans-mask-at-trump-rally|access-date=2020-10-25|website=The Daily Beast|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019214110/https://www.thedailybeast.com/georgia-politician-vernon-jones-crowdsurfs-sans-mask-at-trump-rally|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Eason|first=Jenna|date=2020-10-23|title=Did Trump's Macon rally violate Kemp's executive order, Bibb County's mask mandate?|url=https://www.macon.com/news/politics-government/election/article246635618.html|access-date=2020-10-25|website=[[Macon Telegraph]]|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150837/https://www.macon.com/news/politics-government/election/article246635618.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, Kemp signed a new executive order prohibiting local governments from enforcing mask and vaccination mandates.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nussbaum|first=Katie|title=City of Savannah pulls permits amid COVID-19 surge; more restrictions possible|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2021/08/24/city-savannah-announces-new-covid-19-restrictions-events-permits/5569843001/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=Savannah Morning News|language=en-US}}</ref> ===School closures=== [[Emory University]] became the first college in the state on March 11 to announce it was closing its campus and moving classes online for the remainder of the semester.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/get-schooled/emory-first-georgia-college-close-campus-over-coronavirus-and-move-classes-online/IFv5Lw4BPmEw9FTJoUxNTN/|last=Downey|first=Maureen|title=Emory is first Georgia college to close campus over coronavirus and move classes online|website=AJC|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312065333/https://www.ajc.com/blog/get-schooled/emory-first-georgia-college-close-campus-over-coronavirus-and-move-classes-online/IFv5Lw4BPmEw9FTJoUxNTN/|archive-date=March 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[University System of Georgia]] announced that its 26 public institutions would remain open based on the current advice of the Georgia Department of Public Health.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20200312/uga-classes-slated-to-resume-monday-despite-coronavirus-fears|last=Shearer|first=Lee|title=UGA classes slated to resume Monday despite coronavirus fears|website=Athens Banner-Herald|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607093151/https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20200312/uga-to-suspend-classes-two-weeks/|url-status=live}}</ref> Three hours later the decision was reversed and the University System of Georgia has temporarily suspended instruction for two weeks starting on March 16.<ref name=":1" /> On March 14, [[Gwinnett Technical College]] decided to close both of its campuses from March 16 through March 22, after announcing on March 13 that from March 23, to resume all currently 100% online courses as usual, and to convert all other courses to online instruction where possible.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gwinnetttech.edu/emergency-notification/|title=Emergency Operations Update|author=Gwinnett Tech Staff|website=Gwinnett Tech|language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528132347/https://www.gwinnetttech.edu/emergency-notification/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also on March 12, 2020, many school districts in the state of Georgia decided to cancel classes for at least two weeks, such as [[Cobb County School District]], who had an elementary school teacher test positive for the coronavirus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-elementary-school-closes-for-14-days-following-positive-coronavirus-case|title=Cobb County elementary school closes for 14 days following positive coronavirus case|date=March 11, 2020|website=FOX 5 Atlanta|language=en-US|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409173042/https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/cobb-county-elementary-school-closes-for-14-days-following-positive-coronavirus-case|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 1, 2020, Kemp ordered that all K-12 schools close through the end of the 2019–20 academic year. School districts will continue to educate students remotely. State officials have delayed the high-stakes testing that guides much of the instruction and are expecting approval from the federal government to scrap the tests altogether.<ref name=aprilschoolclosures>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-education/schools-closed-until-fall/r7QgK2idaQ0681UafbW3XP/|title=Kemp orders schools closed through end of school year|date=April 1, 2020|website=Atlanta Journal and Constitution|language=en-US|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528044353/https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-education/schools-closed-until-fall/r7QgK2idaQ0681UafbW3XP/|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Legislators=== ====Votes on response bills==== Congress has so far debated and enacted three bills meant to help the nation respond to the pandemic: the [[Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020]] (signed March 6), the [[Families First Coronavirus Response Act]] (signed March 18), and the [[Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act]] (signed March 27).{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Both of Georgia's Senators at the time, [[David Perdue]] and [[Kelly Loeffler]], supported all three bills.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Representatives [[Jody Hice]] and [[Barry Loudermilk]] voted against the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Hice told reporters that the House was "not given the opportunity to even read the legislation before [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi forced a vote, and no cost estimate had been prepared," and also falsely claimed<ref name="fang-intercept">{{cite web |last1=Fang |first1=Lee |title=Anti-Gay Lawmaker Voted Against Coronavirus Bill Because It "Redefined Family" by Providing Sick Leave to Domestic Partners |url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-stimulus-bill-andy-biggs/ |publisher=The Intercept |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605003101/https://theintercept.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-stimulus-bill-andy-biggs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> that the law would repeal the [[Hyde Amendment]], calling it "par for the course for the left, the activist left". Representative [[John Lewis]] did not vote on the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act or on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act;<ref name="hor-vote-lewis">{{cite web |title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 86 |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2020/roll086.xml |publisher=House of Representatives |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150813/https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2020/roll086.xml |url-status=live }}</ref> Representative [[David Scott]] did not vote on the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act; and Representative [[Tom Graves]] did not vote on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} ====Loeffler stock sell-off controversy==== {{Further|2020 Congressional insider trading scandal}} Senator Loeffler, after a private briefing on the coronavirus from the [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions]] on January 24, 2020, began to offload various stocks<ref name="burr-nyt-lipton-fandos">{{cite news |last1=Lipton |first1=Eric |last2=Fandos |first2=Nicholas |title=Senator Richard Burr Sold a Fortune in Stocks as G.O.P. Played Down Coronavirus Threat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/us/politics/richard-burr-stocks-sold-coronavirus.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605223916/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/us/politics/richard-burr-stocks-sold-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }}</ref> — by February 14, she had sold between $1.2 million and $3.1 million worth of holdings.<ref name="daily-beast-loeffler">{{cite news |last1=Markay |first1=Lachlan |last2=Bredderman |first2=William |last3=Brodey |first3=Sam |title=Sen. Kelly Loeffler Dumped Millions in Stock After Coronavirus Briefing |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-kelly-loeffler-dumped-millions-in-stock-after-coronavirus-briefing |newspaper=The Daily Beast |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603175828/https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-kelly-loeffler-dumped-millions-in-stock-after-coronavirus-briefing |url-status=live }}</ref> These actions attracted widespread condemnation — Democratic Senate contender [[Raphael Warnock]] called her actions "unconscionable", Republican Senate contender, US Representative [[Doug Collins (politician)|Doug Collins]] said he was "sickened just thinking about it", and Georgia Speaker [[David Ralston]] said he was "absolutely worried about the down-ticket damage".<ref name="mitchell-bluestein-loeffler-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Tia |last2=Bluestein |first2=Greg |title=Loeffler faces backlash over stock trades after coronavirus briefing |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/loeffler-faces-backlash-after-unloading-stocks-after-coronavirus-briefing/wzWGJhr9IvGugRRHGwU3XI/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418230345/https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/loeffler-faces-backlash-after-unloading-stocks-after-coronavirus-briefing/wzWGJhr9IvGugRRHGwU3XI/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Public transportation=== [[File:COVID-19 sign, Brunswick, GA, US.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Street sign in Brunswick]] ====MARTA==== In an effort to reduce exposure between [[bus driver]]s and riders, [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]] starting requiring passengers to use the rear door. Since the [[fare box]] is at the front near the driver, MARTA stopped collecting fares on buses.<ref name="wickert-marta-bus-fare">{{cite web |last1=Wickert |first1=David |title=MARTA to suspend bus fares amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/marta-suspend-bus-fares-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ScFyEuIhGUl4mpUzzKt6gO/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604105403/https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/marta-suspend-bus-fares-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ScFyEuIhGUl4mpUzzKt6gO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of March, ridership on trains had fallen 67% and bus ridership dropped by 55% compared with the previous month,<ref name="wickert-marta-bus-fare"/> reflecting national trends. A coalition of public transportation systems across the country — MARTA, along with [[Bay Area Rapid Transit]], the [[Chicago Transit Authority]], [[Dallas Area Rapid Transit]], [[King County Metro]], the [[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority]], the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]], [[NJ Transit]], the [[San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency]], and the [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] — requested at least $25 billion in relief from the federal government.<ref name="transp-congress-letter-marta">{{cite web |title=Letter to Congress Requesting Federal Relief for Public Transportation |url=https://itsmarta.com/Letter-to-Congress-Requesting-Federal-Relief.aspx |publisher=MARTA |access-date=March 25, 2020 |date=March 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512224542/https://itsmarta.com/Letter-to-Congress-Requesting-Federal-Relief.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> As of July 11, a policy has been put in place by the company to require masks for all transportation run by MARTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/marta-says-they-will-adopt-formal-mask-policy-for-entire-transit-system/85-e202012d-4583-4b20-ac96-bfedabb0320d|title=MARTA says they will adopt formal mask policy for entire transit system|date=July 11, 2020|first1=Michael|last1=King|work=[[WXIA-TV]]|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105150758/https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/marta-says-they-will-adopt-formal-mask-policy-for-entire-transit-system/85-e202012d-4583-4b20-ac96-bfedabb0320d|url-status=live}}</ref> ====Other public transport==== In Cobb County, [[CobbLinc]] blocked access to seats near the front of the bus to maintain distance between the drivers and passengers.<ref name="wickert-buses-ajc">{{cite web |last1=Wickert |first1=David |title=More social distancing on Cobb, Gwinnett buses |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/commuting/more-social-distancing-cobb-gwinnett-buses/J68ykhC5MJjIDX4x7zXu6O/ |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 28, 2020 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519162613/https://www.ajc.com/blog/commuting/more-social-distancing-cobb-gwinnett-buses/J68ykhC5MJjIDX4x7zXu6O/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Gwinnett County Transit]], similar to MARTA, stopped bus fare collection and only use the rear door.<ref name="wickert-buses-ajc"/>
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