Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! I listened to a discussion yesterday of the economic impact of the pandemic on Kentucky’s economy, and it was interesting to hear more than one person say that the Governor was over-reacting, and that we should just open everything back up, albeit with some general guidelines about masks and such.
This, folks, is where the faultline in our country is re-emerging: those who believe the threat of the virus is less than the damage to the economy, and those who believe the epidemiologists who say that we are in for a second surge if we loosen restrictions too fast.
Essentially, we are all part of a giant petri dish – or more precisely, a set of petri dishes, with each state having its own approach to restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.
So far, it appears that our own governor is doing a pretty good job of threading the needle between those who want him to go faster and those who think we don’t know enough about the virus to do that. And to be frank, as I watch him do that, I’m really glad he’s our governor right now.
Wash your hands 🧼, wear your mask 😷, and get tested. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear says crisis offers chance to overcome political divisions – 5/13 update
Points to Bowling Green hot-spot as view of our possible future; discusses younger adults also getting the virus; more info on pediatric syndrome. (Forward Kentucky)
Legislative leaders give Beshear high marks for handling of coronavirus
Legislative leaders of both parties offered fairly high marks in their assessments of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. (Forward Kentucky)
Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky attorney general, feds should review Breonna Taylor case
EMT Breonna Taylor’s fatal shooting by Louisville police needs to be examined by state and federal investigators, Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday. “The public reports concerning the death of Breonna Taylor are troubling,” Beshear, a Democrat, said in a statement posted to Twitter. “Her family and the public at large deserve the full facts regarding her death.”
Beshear joins a rising chorus of national and local leaders who are calling for an investigation into Taylor’s death stemming from a March 13 police raid at her apartment. (Courier-Journal)
Booker releases new ad, makes large ad purchase
The “Booker for Senate” campaign has released a new ad, accompanied by what they are calling a “six-figure digital ad campaign.” Story includes ad video. (Forward Kentucky)
Amid coronavirus outbreak behind bars, Kentucky gets new Corrections commissioner
Cookie Crews, a 36-year veteran of Kentucky’s Department of Corrections, has been tapped as its next commissioner, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday. Among the challenges facing Crews will be trying to tamp down a COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that has already killed three inmates and infected 406 other inmates and staff at the state-run Green River Correctional Complex in Central City.
“One of the most important roles that Commissioner Crews is going to be undertaking is ensuring we’re doing everything possible to protect those at Green River,” Beshear said during his evening public address. (Courier-Journal)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] “Will It Be Enough?”: Meatpacking workers fear for safety as coronavirus cases mount – The ReSource spoke with some workers at four poultry and meatpacking plants in the region where coronavirus outbreaks have infected workers. They described the close conditions inside the facilities, their doubts about the safeguards in place, and one worker who has been infected with coronavirus spoke about his fear for his family’s health. (read)
[new] Beshear decries ‘misinformation’ about virus, discusses schools for fall – 5/12 update – Also discusses protests and protesting safely; shares that another minor is in the hospital with pediatric inflammation syndrome. (read)
🔥 Fairness Campaign PAC issues candidate endorsements for June election – C-FAIR has issued their endorsements for the upcoming June election, which includes both primaries and special elections. (read)
Ten-year-old on ventilator; first KY case of pediatric syndrome – 5/11 update – Also, Beshear urged Kentuckians to moderate their goings-about and wear masks, and pleaded with them to get tested for the virus. (read)
🔥 KYians watch Trump … but trust Beshear – We learned in a recent survey that Andy Beshear has one of the highest approval ratings in the country when it comes to dealing with COVID. But, what else was in there? We take a look. (read)
🔥 At least one Frankfort church worshipped in person Sunday, but a reporter was denied entry – With a federal court order on its side, Faith Victory Church World Distribution Center opened its doors for a worship service Sunday morning. But the House of the Lord wasn’t open to everyone. Especially not to a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” (read)
—Commentary—
🔥 Dear LMPD and Mayor Fischer – Two months? Really? – Why is the investigation of Breonna Taylor’s killing still “ongoing” after two months? And would it still be if it hadn’t gotten national attention? (read)
Should my hair be on fire, or no? – I’m struggling with the right approach to take to these news items, all of which raise alarms. How much “shouting from rooftops” is too much? Share your thoughts in the comments. (read)
—Policy—
Those COVID models? They’re tools, not destiny. – Each day we are deluged with new predictions of what lies ahead in the pandemic. So where do these models come from? And, how should we think about them? (read)
— Cartoon —
Your post office in peril – In case you hadn’t heard, Republicans in Washington are threatening to abandon the Post Office, because it isn’t making as much money as they want it to. But never fear – there’s a new Postmaster General, and he’s definitely going to make things better. (view)
— Media —
🔥 What are Trump and the GOP really up to? – On this week’s The State of Kentucky we are joined by lawyer, author, and political analyst Teri Kanefield, who regularly publishes analysis of Trump and the GOP that is insightful, timely, and revealing. Is it all random, or is there a method to the madness? Join us to learn more! (watch)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Confederate flag, meet Unity Water Tower (662 shares)
- KYGA Dem leaders denounce racism at rally and the leges who participated (346 shares)
- KY Black Legislative Caucus condemns ‘rally’ at Capitol (345 shares)
- Charles Booker receives two new endorsements (315 shares)
- KYians watch Trump … but trust Beshear (231 shares)
- A guide to vaccine wing-nuttery (223 shares)
The Forward 5 is published Monday to Friday by Forward Kentucky, an independent media organization focused on progressive news and issues in Kentucky, and is re-posted with permission. You can sign up for the email version of the newsletter on their website.
