Justice Provides Update on Eastern Panhandle; Issues Proclamations for Memorial Day Weekend
By Chris Johnson on May 22, 2020
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice provided updates on the eastern panhandle and the state's economic situation in regard to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in his Friday press conference.
"With the eastern panhandle we paused because the numbers were alarming," Justice said. "The health experts came to me and said, 'We need to go on this and go right now.' The National Guard went up there and everybody concluded that things are now OK. It remains a high-exposure area. We will keep monitoring it.
National Guard Major General James Hoyer said one thing that will be done in the eastern panhandle will be broader COVID-19 testing moving forward.
Although he still didn't have all the specific details involving the federal aid for West Virginia, Justice did say that less restrictive guidelines did come in on Thursday..
"Cities and counties are trying to make applications right now," Justice said. "And they are finding out that guidelines are strict. I've told everybody at the end of the day, the government would allow us to make us whole. Yesterday, a new set of guidelines came in that will help our state tremendously."
Justice began his press conference by wishing the residents of the state a happy Memorial Day weekend before expressing his condolences to the families of three reported deaths, two of them COVID-19 related.
"We lost a 73-year-old woman in Jackson County," Justice said. "We lost a worker at Sharpe Hospital (in Weston). I believe a 54-year-old male and I'm not sure if his death is reflective on our DHHR numbers yet or not. But I've been told it was from complications from the COVID-19 virus. Also, we lost an emergency manager in Barbour County. He passed away after a non-COVID-19 related illness. He was only 46 years old.
"I do want to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day weekend and I hope we all share some time with those we have lost."
The governor issued two proclamations for flying U.S. and State flags at half staff in relation to the weekend. The first is for today through May 24 to honor those we have lost from the pandemic. For Memorial Day itself, May 25, the flags will be at half staff to show respect for those who fought to preserve and protect our nation.
Justice also made a statement addressing something that he is fed up of seeing.
"From the standpoint of opinions, we welcome all," Justice said. "The one thing I can't stand, we have one person over here saying, 'We can't shut everything down, they faked the Lunar landing back then and they are faking this now.' That's garbage. We also don't need people over there saying, 'Oh I see you are re-opening the pools and 19 more people are going to die.' We don't need that noise. Those aren't opinion, those are soap boxes."
The governor said there will be a virtual meeting next week with health officials from every county in the state in order to get more information to help with combating the coronavirus.
Justice also wanted to offer a reminder that free COVID-19 testing is being today and Saturday in Marion, Monongalia, Cabell and Kanawha Counties.
DHHR officials spoke of some changes to the DHHR dash board on their website that will go into effect at 5 p.m. today. More county by county information will be available and there will be a one-time large increase in number of positive cases reported as the new data is modified.
Video from Friday's press conference can be viewed below:
