In dedicating memorial, Beshear says he intended it partly as a response to those who diminished the pandemic for politics - Health News

By Al Cross
Kentucky Health News

As he dedicated the state's memorial to Kentucky's 18,600-plus Covid-19 victims Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said it was intended partly as a response to those who diminished the pandemic for political reasons.  

"I wanted everyone who's lost someone to this virus to know that their loved one was important, and that they are missed, and that we in Kentucky will not bow to politics, we will recognize the loss that we have been through; we will recognize the sacrifices that were made, and we will provide a place, a safe place, for everyone to be able to come to grieve, to remember, and hopefully to process it in a way that helps them move forward."

Asked afterward what he meant by not bowing to politics, the Democratic governor said "We're gonna honor those that we lost, we're gonna honor those that sacrificed. Just because talking about something is difficult ... that doesn't mean you don't do the right thing." Asked what "politics" would have him do otherwise, he said, "Not talk about Covid anymore.'

The state's Republican leaders, none of whom were at the event at the state Capitol, have been talking about Covid as part of their campaign to unseat Beshear. He was what he would say to their argument that his emergency measures lasted too long and were too strong.

"We lost 18,600 Kentuckians, and we would have lost a lot more. Tell that to the folks here who lost their loved ones."

This story will be updated.

from KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS https://ift.tt/Jxkr2oT - Health News