Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (right) defied Governor Brian Kemp by urging residents to stay home when the state is reopened on Friday, April 24.
The Republican Governor announced on Monday that the state would reopen for business after a month on lockdown to prevent the spread of the flu-like coronavirus.
The governor’s order will allow gyms, bowling alleys, hair salons and some other indoor facilities to resume operations by Friday if they comply with social distancing requirements.
Mayor Bottoms, who was caught off guard by Kemp’s announcement, told MSNBC’s “MTP Daily” on Tuesday that she is aware that her powers don’t supersede Kemp’s as governor.
“But I do have the power of my voice,” the Democratic mayor said. “And I am using my voice to encourage people: Follow the data, look at the science, listen to the health care professionals and use your common sense.”
“Please stay home,” Mayor Bottoms said. Her hair was laid and her makeup was flawless as she urged women to neglect their own hair and nails for the health and safety of others.
“Simply because we have hospital beds available, doesn’t mean that we should work to fill them up,” she said.
Failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams said Kemp’s decision to reopen the state didn’t make sense in an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
“These jobs that are reopening, these businesses that are reopening, are going to force frontline workers back to work without having been tested, without having access to a healthcare system to help them if they are in need,” Abrams said.
Democratic governors and mayors have been resistant to reopen their states. But some caved to pressure after angry residents took to the streets to protest the forced home detainment.
Protesters blocked traffic near state capitol buildings in Michigan, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Texas has already reopened, and Georgia plans to reopen on Friday – with or without Mayor Bottoms’ blessings.
