Thread by @PeteKaliner

@NC_Governor's COVID briefing is underway.
I'll be live-tweeting it.
ncdps.gov/news-conference
#NCpol

Gov:
We are in danger.
This is a pivotal moment.
Metrics are worsening.
Our updated county map is dire.
This is deadly serious.

#NCpol

Gov hands off to Health Secretary Mandy Cohen who starts giving latest numbers on:
- people who go to hospital with COVID-like symptoms
- new cases
- % of tests that are positive (now 7%)
- day over day hospitalizations

#NCpol

Cohen:
Here is the updated red/orange/yellow map showing counties with spread.

We're on very shaky ground & don't want to see the bottom fall out.
Coming weeks will be true test of our resolve.

Masks work.
#NCpol

Cohen:
Masks are barrier. Studies show masks reduce spray during singing, speaking.
Please cancel Thanksgiving plans. Don't travel & see family.
But if you do, keep it small & outside. & Do the 3Ws.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Don't lose hope. We are so close.
FDA is reviewing first vaccine.
Until then, we can do our part.
Get behind the mask.

#NCpol

Gov:
Our numbers are too high.
We've take strong steps to prevent spread of this virus. Like our mask mandate.
Today's EO will tighten this mandate.
That means wearing masks when you're at home with people who don't live with you.

#NCpol

Gov:
Executive Order extended through Dec. 11
Wear a mask.
Welcome Greensboro's mayor to tell us how they're cracking down.

#NCpol

#Greensboro mayor says their cases are doubling every 27 days.

We gave City Manager power to use other agents (besides cops) to enforce regulations.

#NCpol

#Greensboro mayor now walking through the punishments against businesses that don't control workers & customers.

#NCpol

Gov:
We know what works... the 3Ws.
If people don't follow our rules, then we'll enforce.
We'll go backwards if we need to.
The next 7-14 days will determine whether we ratchet up restrictions again.

#NCpol

Gov:
It's been a long 9 months, I know.
If we can keep it up for a little longer, we can ensure more loved ones will make it to NEXT year's Thanksgiving dinner.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Are there plans to deploy staff from other hospitals to over-capacity areas?

Gov:
We learned a lot in Spring. The state rented a space if we need more space.

Cohen:
Personnel are our precious commodity. Real concern. Dire in midwest.

#NCpol

Cohen:
We need to work together to slow the spread today so there is a bed for everyone who needs it.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Plans to increase funding to incentivize staff?

Gov:
This needs Congressional action. Critical to get new stimulus package for PPE & hospitals.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Alert map to be updated?
Rural broadband money?

Gov:
We were going to release every 4 weeks. But we updated the map because we saw the numbers increasing.

Broadband is a priority. Should have a bond. Rules on how fed $ can be spent led us to halt it.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Mask mandate is ratcheting up enforcement? I haven't seen your updated EO yet.

Gov:
More responsibility on retailers to enforce. And more mandates on when/where people wear the mask.

#NCpol

Cohen:
Everyone now needs to wear a mask whenever you are around someone who is not from your household.
This lets local governments enforce more strictly.
Retailers must manage occupancy limits & require masks.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Private-run veterans homes getting renewed contracts. Why not hold them accountable for deaths in those facilities.

Gov:
I'll have convo with Sec. of that department about that issue.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
There is no state enforcement, right?
Contact tracing from biz?

Gov:
Enforcement can be done by local & state law enforcement. We need compliance, which is why we're ratcheting up enforcement.

Cohen:
Tracing is anywhere people gather.
#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Concerns about in-person testing federal & state tests for schools.

Gov:
I'm concerned about that, too. It's a federal requirement. State Board of Ed working on it.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
At what point will you tighten restrictions? What's the metric threshold?

Gov:
We have safeguards already in place. We have mask mandate that is fortified today. We're getting to critical situation. More compliance & enforcement will stem the tide.

#NCpol

Gov:
If these things don't work in 7-14 days, we will do what we need to do (tighten restrictions).

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Why not do it now when metrics are bad now?

Gov:
We have hospital capacity.
Our % positive is stable.
Numbers going up but things are not on fire yet.
This is a call to arms to pull together to stem the tide of these numbers.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
Any plan to create a statewide system to take complaints against non-compliant businesses?

Cohen:
Local health department is where people need to report violations.

#NCpol

Reporter Q:
What is your message to biz owners? Any words of hope?

Gov:
The more we do to slow spread the more money in the economy & in their pockets. Enforcing limits will attract more customers.

#NCpol

Briefing ends.

Again, no skepticism or challenges to either Governor Cooper or Health Secretary Cohen.

#NCpol

The foundational premise of Gov. Cooper's argument today is that non-compliance with his mask mandate is driving spread.
Yet, not a single reporter asked what the compliance rate is OR how he knows what the compliance rate is.

#NCpol

Nobody expresses skepticism at Cooper's assertions.
Maybe they don't understand.
Maybe they're scared.
Maybe they think it's irresponsible.
But Cooper says masks work so increased spread must be due to non-compliance... without evidence to support that causation.

#NCpol

To be clear - I'm NOT arguing against masks.
I AM saying that Cooper should not be permitted by an honest press corps to assert, without evidence, that non-compliance is driving spread.
Yet, his premise encounters no challenge, resistance, or skepticism.

#NCpol

And another thing...
The fact that the press corps lets the @NC_Governor hold these briefings without giving the reporters advance copies of the updates to the Executive Order so they can be prepared for the Q&A is disgusting.

Stop letting yourselves be played.

#NCpol

@threadreaderapp please unroll.