Bluegrass Times

Conservative advocates called on Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to limit COVID-19 restrictions via protests by hundreds of people outside the capitol yesterday.

“The governor has shut down every single small business in the state without thinking about the economic consequences,” said Sebastian Torres, Kentucky political director with  Rearden Strategic, a political consulting firm.

The protesters want the governor to lift COVID-19 protections, such as Executive Order 2020-215.

Signed on March 17, 2020, the order requires all public-facing businesses that encourage public congregation or that by the nature of their service to the public cannot comply with CDC social distancing guidelines to cease operations.

“These businesses must include: entertainment and recreational facilities, community and recreation centers, gyms and exercise facilities, hair salons, nail salons, spas, concert venues, theaters, and sporting event facilities,” states the Democratic governor’s order.

At the time of this report, 2,429 Kentucky residents have tested COVID-19 positive and 129 have died, according to a state COVID-19 dashboard.

Despite Gov. Beshear's order, the Kentucky legislature has continued to meet for the final days of its session.

“Technically, they are trying to keep within social distancing guidelines,” Torres told the Bluegrass Times. “They’ve had a couple of remote votes but this week they met and overrode five of the governor’s vetoes.”

One of the vetoes, Senate Bill 2, institutes a new voter identification law, requiring an identification card at polling booths, according to media reports.

"The governor was using as an excuse that during the pandemic people cannot get an ID card,” Torres said in an interview.

The general mood of the Kentucky people, according to Torres, is uneasiness.

“Those who are are at high-risk for infection are pro-isolation and extremely concerned,” said Torres. “Others not in high-risk categories feel their businesses are being taken away and that their civil rights are being infringed upon due to a virus they don’t feel."