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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Democratic gubernatorial candidate and top Democratic state lawmakers are calling for Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to impose more restrictions on the state as COVID-19 cases surge.
Holcomb moved Indiana to Stage 5, which essentially lifted all restrictions, except for some social distancing requirements and regulatory conditions for larger crowds, on Sept. 26. His statewide mask mandate, which carries no penalties for violations, also continued with Stage 5, which is set to end Oct. 17.
Earlier this week, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Woody Myers said the data has shown that moving to Stage 5 was the wrong move.
“We need to reverse that step, and we need to protect Hoosiers,” Myers said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. “We’re moving in the wrong direction.”
Myers reiterated that position on Friday afternoon, after the state reported an all-time high number of daily positive COVID-19 cases.
A total of 1,832 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Friday, marking the seventh time in nine days that new cases have exceeded 1,000. The state also reported 19 additional deaths. The seven-day average positivity rate for unique individuals has reached 9.3%, up from 7.7% a month ago.
The state also reported Friday that 1,187 people were hospitalized statewide due to COVID-19. That’s up from 763 a month ago and the highest number since mid-May.
“Continuing with Stage 5 of the reopening plan puts Hoosiers on a similar road as the Trump Administration, which only drives Hoosiers to tragic and cruel outcomes, risking our lives,” Myers said in a statement on Friday.
Indiana Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane also wants the governor to reverse course. In a statement on Friday, Lanane said he thinks Holcomb is ignoring the data he once used to make decisions.
“We now have the highest single day of cases since the pandemic started,” Lanane said in the statement. “We have hospitalizations rising to levels we have not seen since May. The list of concerning data goes on and on. The governor has said that a positivity rate above 5 percent in a county should be a cause for alarm. Yet, when the entire state’s positivity rate climbs above that same threshold, it’s business as usual for the Holcomb administration?”
Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta of Fort Wayne, in a statement, said now is not the time to ease restrictions.
“Unlike before, we’re not only seeing an increase in cases, but we’re also seeing an increase in apathy toward this pandemic,” GiaQuinta said. “Because the governor has decided now is the time to loosen restrictions, he is communicating to Hoosiers that it is okay to let our guards down.”
Holcomb has repeatedly said he’d be willing to move the state back to a prior, more restrictive, stage of reopening if needed, but when speaking to reporters on Friday, Holcomb said he is still comfortable with keeping the state at Stage 5.
“But I don’t make long-term predictions based on a virus that’s uber infectious and easy to spread,” Holcomb said. “I’m pleading and begging and asking Hoosiers all over the state to do what works. So, we want to make sure we’re encouraging folks to mask up, practice physical distancing, all those things that we know work and that will draw these numbers down. That’s the one thing that we can control and is important that we do.”
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Democrats running hard for the goal line. Will it be enough?
Too much like Trump, Holcomb had no business opening up. FOLLOW the SCIENCE. Now we pay the price, and probably won’t hear from all who were griping about getting back to normal.
Chicken Little is out again. If you are scared, stay home.
Yeah, good luck with convincing the governor to change course. He’s WAY to tied to Mikey P’s solution of ignorance of science and we should all worship at the alter of dollars.
My question has been — if Eric really think’s we’re all through this, why aren’t all the state employees back in the office. Come on –lead by example
Democrats: We give up our freedom and take yours!
The White House took your freedom when the President decided to make mask wearing political and downplay a pandemic. We’d look like Europe if it weren’t for that.
Indiana didn’t even meet the basic criteria for re-opening on Sept 2 but on Sept 26 did just that….https://www.vox.com/2020/5/28/21270515/coronavirus-covid-reopen-economy-social-distancing-states-map-data
Wesley. You mean europe who did everything right and is now undergoing a second wave with the UK locked down tighter than ever? You liberals would scream if a cure was found for cancer under Trump’s watch.
Rhea, you realize Europe having a second wave and restrictions again was predicted months ago, right? What wasn’t predicted is how horribly our Federal government responded to this crisis. We didn’t get to enjoy months of decreased cases and semi-normal life like Europe. We got stuck in this never ending mess DJT and his followers like you created.
Wesley…well that certainly makes sense….we know we are going to have a second wave of infections and possibly even worse requiring even more stringent lockdown but let’s go back to normal for 2 months anyways. Guess that makes sense in liberal thinking.
My point is that it doesn’t matter who was in charge it would have still been handled inadequately. Do you really think China is telling the truth about how many cases they had? Only the US and other enlightened countries blast on the news 24 hour coverage of pandemic.
A lot of new cases, but very few deaths. Return to normal business.
Yes, that is correct Jennifer S., we had no business moving to Stage 5 or 4.5, or 4. I worked for the State of Indiana and yes, Chris H. Most State employees are NOT back! If they can’t work at home as most can’t because of security, they are using up all their COMP time to not be at work.
Holcomb has re-election in the bag with 60% already they say.
People who don’t agree with Holcomb are NOT voting him out.
Pence is and has always been, the Elf on the Shelf. He sits there listening, watching, and does NOTHING. I knew he would be worthless heading the Covid-19 program. Trump picked Pence because religious background looks good all well knowing he was a compliant puppet and would follow this mentally ill President without question. IN was lucky to get rid of Pence, unfortunately, we inherited a worse problem with him as VP.
So, go Trump then, right?
No Scott C., are you blind and deaf?
Why did Trump, First Lady, and 25 members of the WH all get coved-19? Because they were too vain and stupid to wear masks and social distance! Wake up! What more proof do you need?
Too many of you site low deaths, hospitalizations, etc., data and facts matter you say yet you don’t see the proven fact by wearing masks and social distancing, we can keep the numbers down.