President Donald Trump told Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp he disagreed with his plan to reopen certain businesses this month, saying it was too soon for businesses like spas, beauty salons, and tattoo parlors to reopen.
He added, however, reopening procedures are up to the state leaders, unless something is "totally egregious."
"It's just too soon; I think it's too soon," Trump told reporters at the White House coronavirus task force briefing. "They can wait a little bit longer, just a little bit – not much, because safety has to predominate. We have to have that.
"So, I told the governor very simply that I disagree with his decision, but he has to do what he thinks is right."
Trump added he supports Gov. Kemp, noting his endorsement against former President Barack Obama endorsing his opponent had helped Kemp win the gubernatorial race.
"There's a lot of good feeling between myself and Brian Kemp," Trump added. "I like him a lot. I happen to disagree with him – only in timing, I disagree.
"When you have spas, beauty parlors, and I love these people. I know the people from spas and beauty parlors, tattoo parlors, Bikers for Trump, a lot of tattoos. I love them. I love these people. Barbershops, these are great people. But maybe you wait a little longer until you get into Phase 2. Do I agree with him? No, but I respect him and I let him him make his decision."
Dr. Anthony Fauci offered his advice as the top infectious disease expert on the White House coronavirus task force.
"Well, you know, if I were advising the governor, I would tell him that he should be careful," Dr. Fauci said. "I would advise him not to just turn the switch on and go, because there is a danger of a rebound.
"I know that there is a desire to move ahead quickly. That's natural human nature, desire. But going ahead and leapfrogging into phases where you should not be, I would advise him as a health official and as a physician not to do that."
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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