Kentucky GOP lawmakers are taking the lead in fighting COVID

A landmark decision by the Kentucky Supreme Court has shifted responsibility for the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic largely from Democratic Governor Andy Beshear to Republicans with control of the legislature, while for much of the pandemic lawmakers must own it. The shift comes when the virus rises. This means that Republican lawmakers who criticized the governor for what they consider to be overly broad and harsh restrictions on Kentuckians will decide on mask mandates and vaccination incentives in the future. He raised the possibility of convening a special legislative session to address virus issues. “I will do my best within the framework that is provided,” said the governor. “I can work my tail off every day with the tools I need to protect people in the best possible way.” Kentucky set another record Tuesday for virus patients in hospitals and intensive care units and on ventilators. The 4,638 new cases across the country were the fifth highest daily total in the pandemic, and Beshear said the state was in its “most dangerous time we’ve seen in this pandemic.” Kentucky has reported at least 7,575 virus-related deaths. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the state’s death toll is the 27th highest in the country and the 30th highest per capita. Now Republican lawmakers will bear much of the responsibility if those numbers change significantly. “At a time when the pandemic is hotter than ever, it is being thrown into the lap of the legislature,” said political commentator Al Cross. “You will now have to do more than just talk. You are going to have to make some tough decisions. They had the luxury of shooting at Beshear who kept them at bay I think unwise. But now they have to work together. ”On Monday, Beshear discussed the potential need to reintroduce a nationwide mask mandate as hospitals and intensive care units fill up with COVID patients. The Republican chairman of the state Senate was quick to declare that such a blanket approach had “a very limited chance” of winning the GOP super-majorities of the legislature. The state Supreme Court gave lawmakers the upper hand on Saturday as it paved the way for new laws limiting the governor’s emergency powers imposing pandemic restrictions. Judges said a lower court unfairly blocked Republican-backed measures and that if he does so he has the power to set the agenda, and the governor lifted most of his virus-related restrictions in June, with Shear acknowledging the changing dynamic while calling for the need to consider a new nationwide mask mandate as the Delta variant puts pressure on the besieged. He acknowledged that a masking requirement must now be approved by lawmakers e these tough calls, “the governor told WKYT -TV. “Going forward, the Supreme Court has said that these demands must be made by the legislature. So I hope they have the courage to do the tough things, ”he added. “As our hospitals fill up and we run out of intensive care beds, we urgently need to consider a nationwide mask mandate.” Senate President Robert Stivers downplayed the prospect of such a mandate. “A blanket mask mandate, I think, would have a very limited chance,” said Stivers. “If you’re talking about something specific now, it might be a little different.” He said GOP lawmakers were ready to come up with their plan if they were to be re-convened by the governor, “he said on Monday. “And if the governor decides to call us for a special session, we are ready to roll these things out. Hopefully we will do this in cooperation with the governor’s office. ”Legislators may need to take action such as: Stivers said. He followed Tuesday by highlighting a vaccination promotion effort in his Clay County home. It includes testimonials from local elected guides, teachers, and other “influencers” to encourage people to take the pictures. Similar grassroots efforts can be mimicked elsewhere and can be carried out without legislative action, Stivers Vaccinations said. Shear’s office has followed a similar strategy since the pandemic began, presenting Kentuckians to avoiding wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing and now vaccines to promote.

A landmark decision by the Kentucky Supreme Court has shifted responsibility for the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic largely from Democratic Governor Andy Beshear to Republicans, who have control of the legislature.

Having carried out an aggressive response during much of the pandemic, now, having mostly watched from the sidelines, they must own them.

The shift comes when the virus rises. This means that Republican lawmakers who criticized the governor for what they consider to be overly broad and harsh restrictions on Kentuckers will decide on mask mandates and vaccination incentives in the future.

Beshear, who is expected to run for re-election in 2023, vowed to remain involved. He canceled the possibility of convening a special session of the legislature to deal with virus problems.

“I will do my best within the framework that is provided,” said the governor. “I can work my tail off every day with the tools I have to protect people as best as possible.”

Kentucky set another record Tuesday for virus patients in hospitals and intensive care units, as well as on ventilators. The 4,638 new cases across the country were the fifth highest daily total in the pandemic, and Beshear said the state is in its “most dangerous time we’ve seen in this pandemic”.

Kentucky has reported at least 7,575 virus-related deaths. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the state’s death toll is the 27th highest in the country and the 30th highest per capita.

Now Republican lawmakers will bear much of the responsibility if those numbers change significantly.

“At a time when the pandemic is hotter than ever, it is being thrown into the lap of lawmakers,” said political commentator Al Cross. “You will now have to do more than just talk. You are going to have to make some tough decisions. They had the luxury of shooting at Beshear who kept them at bay I think unwise. But now they have to work together. “

On Monday, Beshear discussed the potential need to reintroduce a nationwide mask mandate as hospitals and intensive care units fill up with COVID patients. The Republican chairman of the state senate quickly stated that such a blanket approach had “a very limited chance” of winning over the GOP super-majorities in the legislature.

The state Supreme Court gave lawmakers the upper hand on Saturday as it paved the way for new laws restricting the governor’s emergency powers, imposing pandemic restrictions. The judges said a lower court wrongly blocked Republican-backed measures.

With the end of the state of emergency caused by the pandemic, Beshear is considering whether to call a special legislative period. If he does so, he has the power to set the agenda. The governor lifted most of his virus-related restrictions in June.

Beshear recognizes the changing dynamics while calling for the need to consider a new nationwide mask mandate as the Delta variant puts pressure on the beleaguered hospitals. He admitted that a masking obligation must now be approved by the legislature.

“I’ve been ready to play the ball and make these tough decisions for the past 18 months,” the governor told WKYT-TV. “What the Supreme Court said is that these calls must be made by the legislature.

“So I hope they have the courage to do the tough things,” he added. “As our hospitals fill up and we run out of intensive care beds, we urgently need to consider a nationwide mask mandate.”

Senate President Robert Stivers downplayed the prospect of such a mandate.

“In my opinion, a blanket mask mandate would only have very limited opportunities,” said Stivers. “If you’re talking about something specific now, it might be a little different.”

He said the GOP lawmakers were ready to come up with their plan if they were convened again by the governor.

“We have been formulating things for a long time that we believe would be effective,” he said on Monday. “And if the governor decides to call us for a special session, we’ll be ready to roll these things out. Hopefully we will do this in cooperation with the governor’s office. “

Legislators may need to take measures like emergency certifications for extra-state health care providers and non-traditional class days for K-12 schools hit by the virus, Stivers said.

He followed on Tuesday by highlighting efforts to promote vaccination in his hometown of Clay County. It includes testimonials from local elected guides, teachers, and other “influencers” to encourage people to take the pictures. Similar efforts at the grassroots level can be mimicked elsewhere and can be carried out without legislative action, Stivers said.

The Senate President has stressed that “COVID is very real” and that “we must do everything we can” to encourage people to get vaccinated.

Beshear’s office has followed a similar strategy since the pandemic began, showcasing Kentuckians to encourage mask wear, social distancing, hand washing and now vaccines.

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