Tomorrow, many workers in Georgia will be back on the job after Governor Brian Kemp announced gyms, salons, and tattoo shops will all be allowed to reopen, with restaurants and movie theaters getting the go-ahead for Monday.
The state's Governor Brian Kemp has faced criticism from local officials, and even President Trump, for his decision, but Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga. 11th District) supports the move and says the state is prepared to deal with a possible resurgence.
"We are little further ahead in this decline than what the initial data is showing, and that's one of the reasons why the governor decided to go ahead and open up portions of the Georgia economy," Loudermilk alleged.
There are signs Georgia has been able to flatten the curve in the number of coronavirus cases, according to the state's department of health. However, White House officials suggest waiting to see 14 days of a consistent decline before moving to the next phase of reopening.
The congressman also said the shutdowns have had unintended health consequences, notably the ban on elective surgeries.
"There are many people out there who are having to put off surgeries that are dealing with pain, they're dealing with other issues, and there are people that are, quite frankly, afraid to go to the hospital," Loudermilk said. "We need to be able to get back and give the people a little bit of comfort that you can get out, you can do these things."
He also noted that in allowing some businesses to reopen, Kemp is not requiring them to do so.
In many small businesses, it is virtually impossible to practice social distancing, but Loudermilk said that Georgians are responsible and will make the right decisions.
"We're trusting the people of Georgia. Look, if you do not feel well do not go to the barbershop. If you don't feel well, don't go to work. I think that people understand the seriousness of it and are willing to take whatever risk there is," he said.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is set to lead a protest march on Wall Street to urge corporate America to resist the Trump administration’s campaign to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The New York civil rights leader will join clergy, labor and community leaders Thursday in a demonstration through Manhattan’s Financial District that’s timed with the anniversary of the Civil Rights-era March on Washington in 1963. Sharpton called DEI the “civil rights fight of our generation." He and other Black leaders have called for boycotting American retailers that scaled backed policies and programs aimed at bolstering diversity and reducing discrimination in their ranks.
President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Chipmaker Nvidia is poised to release a quarterly report that could provide a better sense of whether the stock market has been riding an overhyped artificial intelligence bubble or is being propelled by a technological boom that’s still gathering momentum.
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
