Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is offering the most aggressive re-opening plan in the country.
For that, he’s getting a ton of flak, and buckets of bellyaching. Can you imagine the vitriol in his inbox?
But there are two things that almost all common sense-minded folks can agree on:
> At some point we’re going to have to go back to work and play;
> That reopening can’t wait on a vaccine.
That’s at least a year-plus away, and a year like the last six weeks will forever wreck our economy.
Is Kemp’s plan too aggressive? I understand that concern.
But in the end, it’s not like the Georgia State Patrol is coming to everyone’s house and making them go to Great Clips or bowl 10 frames.
If Georgians don’t feel safe outside, then they should stay inside.
Speaking of the inbox …
Thanks to everyone who offered feedback on Thursday’s column on Mayor Andy Berke’s decision to make CNN rather than the local outlets his pulpit.
Some of you agreed. Some didn’t. Loudly.
Here are but two of the dozens of emails I received:
No. 1 – “Jay, I want to thank you for the article you wrote on ‘Big Time Berke’ the other day. That was music to my ears after I’ve tried to email him about please reopen our golf courses. Unfortunately, it will probably fall on deaf ears, but at least you have your article out there in the open. I think you nailed it.”
And, the one that thinks I’m No. 2 – “We have an ignorant megalomaniac, racist buffoon as president and your criticism against Berke is another sad conservative attempt to deflect these facts. I am hoping you follow the idiots advise and inject your self with Lysol. Let me know how it works out. Best Regards.”
Somehow, I think the “Best Regards” at the end there may not have been offered with 100 percent sincerity.
Saturday stars
We have discussed before a strong dislike for calling anyone’s job nonessential v. essential.
Because whatever service or skill employees provide or peddle, we can all agree that the paychecks generated are essential to them.
But man, did the EPB folks working day and night to restore power to thousands of residents after the deadly storms on Easter prove their essential worth this week?
Thanks for the efforts and tireless work in unprecedented circumstances, EPB.
Great job.
Obit observations
JoAnn McDonough died April 18. She was 91.
She was Scenic City from the start, graduating from Chattanooga High and attending the University of Chattanooga.
Her long life, longer list of activities and extended family leave a massive circle touched by JoAnn’s grace.
But at the center was her 71-year marriage to Buddy, which ended when he died on April 18 in 2018.
Man, 71 years. That’s amazing.
And inspiring.
May they both rest well.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter at @jgreesontfp.
Jay Greeson