Later this afternoon Governor John Bel Edwards will address whether or not he will move Louisiana into Phase Three of their economic recovery plan from the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
A rough survey of shoppers exiting a big box store were hard pressed to find people supportive of the idea of moving to Phase Three.
Among them, Irving who did not see the reasoning in wanting to move forward:
“I hope not, I don’t think it’s necessary, I think he (Governor Edwards) got us to barely stay at stage two. I really think that it’s rushing too much, I see too many people not wearing masks today.”
Related: Edwards to announce next step in Louisiana reopening
Meanwhile Harold Smith says it’s inevitable:
“It’s all about the economy, as far as the phases they’re not going to stop it,” Smith explains. “With the COVID-19, I think they should just shut everything right now. Because as long as you’re opening stuff, COVID-19 is going to be here.”
The back and forth seemed to be based on those who figured we had to charge ahead at all costs with a majority of people who says we’re moving too fast and that the case numbers bear this out.
Melanie is not only on board with moving to Phase Three, she’s enthusiastic about it:
“I have no idea (what’s coming) but I hope he (The Governor) does let us go into Phase Three. They (the case numbers) haven’t been going up that much, I’ve been watching them for two months!”
On the other end of the spectrum is Lynn, who explained very measuredly:
“I don’t think he should actually, because I think the epidemic is not over. And that’s going to even possibly get worse.”
Meanwhile, there’s people like Cathy who are pushing for the economic recovery wholeheartedly, “I think we’re going to go into Phase Three regardless, I think the numbers are going to go down, and I’m confident.”
However there’s Sherry who says the Governor’s track record says we’re not moving yet.
“I don’t think so, because we were one of the last states to go to Phase Two. So I can’t imagine him letting us go to Phase Three.”
Saturday and Sunday saw a wild swing in numbers of COVID-19 cases from up by more than 800 to Sunday where the count was under 400. Then there is taking into account the state changing the way it looks at how the data is counted and interpreted. This seems to raise more questions about what direction Louisiana will be going next.