Thread by @KentuckyFreedom

Find live tweets covering @GovAndyBeshear’s press briefing ⬇️where he is expected to announce bar closings & limited restaurant capacity for the next 2 weeks. He will be reiterating these are the @WhiteHouse recommendations, but we all know @realDonaldTrump wouldn’t support.

We are about 4 minutes out from a #KYFreedom thread...

@GovAndyBeshear has take the podium and has removed his face diaper, which has apparently had no impact in the spread of #COVIDー19 over these past two weeks. 🤔❓

@GovAndyBeshear begins with fear mongering. Points to other states rise in case. Says we have to believe the virus is real and insists the virus spreads the same all over KY

He alluded to “agreement with the fed govt.” this is his attempt to pass the buck to @realDonaldTrump for the restrictions he about to announce.

Showing headlines from other states who have been hit in “new wave” recently. Fear mongering. Says we don’t want this to happen in KY

@GovAndyBeshear says we absolutely have to act

@GovAndyBeshear says Dr. Birx looked at him yesterday and told him she has same conversation with Texas and Florida. No mention of California. Hmm

Beshear sharing pictures of young folks in Lexington enjoying themselves at bars. Scolding them lightly. Blames business owner.

No picture of protestors in Lex or Louisville.

@GovAndyBeshear touts Dr. Birx title. Puts up photo of her in mask. Says they (whitehouse) and her agree that virus is spreading so much statewide that action is necessary.

He says people travel county to county for business and says vendors ship stuff in. Repeats for the 3rd time White House agrees with steps.

Beshear says he doesn’t want to be a state where we are running out of caskets or needs to order a freezer truck for bodies.

Says he wants to be able to get kids back in school “at some point.”

Beshear says he’s been asked why he didn’t take these steps earlier. Brushes it off and says virus doesn’t care about our schedule.

Says 4 steps are needed:

1. Face masks (July 10
2. Limit social, non-commercial gatherings to 10 people or fewer (July 20) “we gotta control house parties” he says
*these taken already*

The next two are steps taking beginning tomorrow:

3. Bars must close tomorrow for two week and will reopen with stricter guidlines. Says it will be enforced
* shows picture of Lexington bar again*

4th step: limiting indoor restaurant capacity to 25% (unlimited outdoor seating)

Beshear says White House modeling recommends

@GovAndyBeshear says he recommends all schools wait until 3rd week of August to go back to in person classes.

Says it gives us time to get handle on virus.

Beshear says he knows his kids would receive better education if they were in school but wants them safe.

@GovAndyBeshear did they ever get enrolled in public school?

@StevenStackMD takes the podium

@StevenStackMD said he hates being here today. Says this is within our control. Says he’s going to go over the @WhiteHouse document.

@StevenStackMD says @realDonaldTrump and @GovAndyBeshear agree.

LOL

Says he doesn’t know if this document is public.

@StevenStackMD says when we started interacting again after shutdown, cases went up.

Q: Then why did y’all reopen? Why not just lockdown again, @AndyBeshearKY

Not wearing a mask as he spits all over podium, @StevenStackMD says wear a mask.

@StevenStackMD points out he doesn’t know KY counties well. Cites color (red) of counties with cases (from that manipulated mao they use).

@StevenStackMD says he’s spoke with @kyoag team and attorneys challenging but emphasizes importance of masks.

Note: he testified that a lot of the orders are arbitrary and don’t help much.

@StevenStackMD says we still can’t test enough to keep up with spread.

Beshear’s back at the podium where he sat his mug & his mask down on the podium @StevenStackMD just spit all over.

Beshear asks if we are going to limit our house parties and cookouts to make sure we stop the spread.

522 new cases for a total 27,602
5.58% positivity rate

588,000+ tests to date.

Majority of cases in Jefferson, Fayette, Davies, Warren

Beshear says 22 new kids tested positive. One 11 days old. He tries to turn on the waterworks. Poor effort. Moved on.

9 new deaths announced:

Ages: 74, 70, 76, 82, 98, 61, 61, 84, 71

@GovAndyBeshear harkens back to the time he said children would blame themselves if grandparents die. Says these deaths are result of others passing virus to the elderly.

Long term care facilities. 30 new cases, 35 new cases, 7 new deaths (66% of deaths as of yesterday...more now.

Now on to the social media stuff. Touting examples of people who are obeying him. Couple at natural bridge wearing masks in 90 degree heat. “Patriots” he says.

Beshear trying to be relatable says “kiddo” again.

@GovAndyBeshear highlighting a lemonade stand raising money for research.

Unclear if he will send health department after them for no license.

One more piece of good news @GovAndyBeshear says...

Going to tout no budget shortfall. This is because of federal money ($1.7 billion). He will take a victory lap but it’s propaganda.

Beshear says 166 million going to rainy day fund. Thanks federal govt!

Repeats no cuts to education, legislative or judicial budget

@GovAndyBeshear’s state budget director John Hicks is good at manipulating the money. Hopefully legislature can poke holes in this sunny picture he wants to paint.

Road fund shortfall is 60 million. Beshear repeats we need more federal money (to save his backside).

UI update next..

Amy Cubbage, attorney with Labor Cabinet will go through numbers

Points our difference between disputed and undiluted claims. Says disputed are more complicated. Says federal law requires a formal written letter to dispute.

Says her office have to write those.

Large percentage of unprocessed are continuing claims where someone was approved but may have clicked a wrong box or filed another claim.

There are about 68,000 claims unresolved.

Almost 5,000 in March

Says EY has done 95% of claims, cabinet required to write letters to finish them up.

Says cabinet won’t rest until done. They don’t work Sundays

Repeats contract with EY was extended.

Extra $600 runs out the last full week of July. Says week of July 26 claim, $600 won’t be available.

Question time:

Question about renewal of orders after two weeks and what metrics will dictate:

Beshear says expect mask mandate to be extended. Hopes restaurants can go to 50% on two weeks and bars open with strict rules.

Says will look at positivity rate, number of cases, hospital data/ICU. Admits that looks good right now.

Question on clarification of when mandate goes in, midnight or 5pm tomorrow. Beshear doesn’t know will have to follow up

Lol

Question on how new rules may further burden unemployment with bar employees. Beshear rambles on old UI system, high claims, etc

Beshear says a two for letter for each claim is about 10 minutes. Do the math on how long to resolve 63,000 claims

It looks like someone in the media finally caught our emphasis on long-term care facilities and their bulk of the deaths. Asks Beshear why not more focus on LTCF’s and on bars and restaurants where low risk people go.

Great question!

Terrible response by @GovAndyBeshear. His answer is testing. Same as usual. Says may have to limit visitation again but touts mental and emotional toll on elderly.

we didn’t know this had open back up! wow! What about mental and emotional well-being of students?

Beshear clarifies bars that are restaurants do not count for closure.

Question on distilleries...

@GovAndyBeshear says they don’t fall under this order. They are under “venue” rules. Says they may be next if necessary though.

Question on if Norton Healtcare is having supplies moved elsewhere.

@GovAndyBeshear says he hasn’t heard but feds may move supplies to hotspots.

Question on timeframe for getting through 63,000 claims as quickly as possible. @GovAndyBeshear doesn’t give a timeline.

Pathetic.

Beshear says government attorneys may be brought in to help. Calls process “pain in the butt”

Question on inconsistencies of asking people to limit social gatherings to 10 and not criticizing protests. Beshear says protestors are wearing masks and spreading out. Asks people to do the right thing.

It looks like we’re not going to get clarity on the antibody positive test and if they are included in the overall positive cases. Still time but, 🤷🏻‍♂️

Question on confidence of bars being able to survive next two weeks. @GovAndyBeshear says it’s not fair but that he is dealing with a worldwide health pandemic.

Question on what steps are next if these don’t work. Beshear says other steps will be taken.

@TomL_Ky_Today asks about Supreme Court allowing evictions. Beshear says litigation is in northern KY.

Beshear says he advised @KYHouseGOP and Senate leadership of his new orders prior to the briefing.

Beshear taking written question on Pulaski county flea markets and if he can shut them down. Asks health department to address.

Question about #COVID19 outbreak in baseball.

Beshear says if they can get an outbreak after their precautions, it should make us all think.

@GovAndyBeshear asked about if businesses need to start being fined through health dept. His short answer is yes.

Question on economic impact is balanced bs the virus. @GovAndyBeshear asks everyone to order takeout this weekend.

Beshear repeats this is a step the @WhiteHouse says we have to take.

@GovAndyBeshear asked about @kroger will be pulling out of drive thru testing and doing little clinic only.

Odd given the supposed severity.

@GovAndyBeshear says he is working with UK and UofL to find new partner to avoid problems. Says we have to keep testing.

@GovAndyBeshear asked if any facilities he put pictures up of should be fined. He doesn’t answer. Filibusters.

Closing out. No question about if antibody positive tests are counted towards total positive. What a joke!

@KentuckyToday let us know if they ever follow up with you on that question from Friday.