Graham worried Georgia reopening ‘too fast too soon’

by Marty Johnson - 04/21/20 2:04 PM ET

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Tuesday he’s concerned that Georgia is reopening its economy too quickly amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I support what South Carolina Governor @henrymcmaster announced yesterday — a small reopening of our state’s economy with a focus on social distancing,” Graham tweeted.

“I worry that our friends and neighbors in Georgia are going too fast too soon,” he added.

His comments come as government officials and health experts alike have cautioned that a swift reopening of the economy could be detrimental for country, prompting a second wave of the coronavirus infections and once again putting pressure on the U.S. health care system.

I support what South Carolina Governor @henrymcmaster announced yesterday — a small reopening of our state’s economy with a focus on social distancing.

I worry that our friends and neighbors in Georgia are going too fast too soon.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 21, 2020

Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment and small businesses clambered to apply for loans and grants as social distancing measures put in place countrywide shuttered the economy.

On Monday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced that some of the state’s businesses, including gyms, hair and nail salons and bowling alleys would be able to reopen on Friday. Theaters, private social clubs and restaurants will be allowed to reopen April 27, next Monday.

In a subsequent tweet, Graham warned that Kemp’s aggressive reopening could have negative consequences for neighboring states such as South Carolina.

“We respect Georgia’s right to determine its own fate, but we are all in this together,” the senator tweeted. “What happens in Georgia will impact us in South Carolina.”

We respect Georgia’s right to determine its own fate, but we are all in this together.

What happens in Georgia will impact us in South Carolina.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 21, 2020

While Georgia isn’t the only state attempting to reopen its economy, the Peach State’s plan is the most aggressive. In South Carolina, public beaches and select retail stores were reopened Tuesday, while Texas reopened state parks Monday.

Many lawmakers, including Graham, have said that testing needs to be more widespread before state’s can fully reopen their economies safely.

Tags Brian Kemp Coronavirus Georgia Georgia Lindsey Graham Lindsey Graham South Carolina