— Publisher’s Note —
Good afternoon! After all this time, it seems it is coming down to this one thing: masks.
- Researchers say that if 80% of people would wear a mask any time they are outside their home, the virus would be contained.
- Simply speaking can spread the virus if you have it, since normal speaking releases droplets from your mouth into the air around you and onto surfaces.
- As much as we can’t imagine it, masks are going to be a part of our schools this fall.
I wear a mask any time I go out. So does my wife. If we’re going through a drive-thru, we put it on in the car. We wear them in stores.
It’s a pretty simple proposition: If we want to do our part to help our economy recover AND to prevent people around us from getting sick, we wear a mask.
So, as much as masks are a bother, this is how you show you are a good neighbor: wear your mask. It’s one way we’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky #WearYourMask
Bruce Maples, publisher
(Send feedback ● Send tips)
Today’s Five Things to Know
6/16 update – 203 new cases, 7 deaths; pools and gatherings up to 50 allowed June 29
After announcing 203 new coronavirus cases today, Gov. Andy Beshear reminded Kentuckians in a news release that there are three things they can do to slow the spread of the virus. (Forward Kentucky)
Carol Barr, wife of Congressman Andy Barr, dies unexpectedly
Carol Leavell Barr, the wife of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, passed away suddenly Tuesday at the family home in Lexington. (Forward Kentucky)
Let’s talk about #DefundThePolice
There is a lot of discussion across the United States about police work, and included in that is the phrase “defund the police.” Because there is so much misinformation out there about it, we thought it would be worthwhile to do an explainer. (Forward Kentucky)
Beshear releases tax returns, challenges others to do the same
As part of his pledge of transparency, Governor Andy Beshear today released his tax returns for 2019, and called on other office holders to do the same. (Forward Kentucky)
McGrath campaign add-on lawsuit denied by judge
Amy McGrath’s campaign will not be able to join the Nemes lawsuit demanding more polling locations. The campaign filed a motion to intervene as a plaintiff Friday.
On top of asking a judge to mandate that the aforementioned counties add more polling locations, as the plaintiffs had, the McGrath campaign also asked defendants “be required to place additional staff in the County Clerks’ offices to provide ballots to voters by providing curbside or drive through service for voters to request ballots until June 22.”
The McGrath campaign also asked that a judge rule that the “current system of absentee voting is unconstitutional.”
Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III denied the McGrath campaign’s motion to intervene on Tuesday, writing in an opinion that the issue of absentee ballots “arguably could have raised well before the Plaintiff’s filed their case.” The original case will now proceed without the McGrath campaign. (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] Does your county’s election site meet this checklist? – With all the changes in this primary, it’s important that the information about voting be clear, concise, and easy to find. Here’s a short checklist to make sure your county clerk’s website passes muster. (read)
More endorsements for Booker and Broihier – Even as in-person voting has started, and election day is just a week away, the endorsements continue, with new ones for both Charles Booker and Mike Broihier. (read)
McGrath spends $1.5 million on ads in last week of primary campaign – The Amy McGrath campaign has booked $1.53 million worth of ad time in the final days before the primary election. (read)
🔥 Mask-wearing will be key to opening schools, but specific guidance still to come – 6/15 update – Kentucky schools were told Monday to prepare for intermittent closures during the school year to come, but they still await firm word from state officials about what will be recommended and what will be required. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] Are you a Progressive Puritopian? – Here’s a new word for you: “puritopian.” Have you known one? Are YOU one? Read on to find out! (read)
Why name our U.S. forts for these double losers? – When people argue that we should keep those Army forts named for Confederate generals, here’s your response: Why should our nation’s best be trained at bases named for our worst? Because most of them were TERRIBLE generals. (read)
🔥 Heroes aren’t hard to find – except in the U.S. Senate – At times of crisis, people often step up to be heroes. We are finding heroes among us today – except in the U.S. Senate. (read)
— Policy —
Police unions are one of the biggest obstacles to transforming policing – Protesters and community organizers are increasingly calling for defunding and disbanding the police as a way to end police violence. But there’s a major, and usually insurmountable, obstacle to reform: police unions. (read)
— Cartoon —
🔥 Junk set-out day in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood – Aaron Smith notes: “I’m not sure what the Louisville Metro guidelines are for junk set out in Cherokee Triangle, but hopefully they’ll make an exception.” (view)
🔥 DOJ Threat Assessment Guide – Aaron Smith obtained a copy of the classified 2020 Threat Assessment Guide from the DOJ. It’s pretty simple, and they’ve obviously been following it. (view)
— Media —
[show] Our COVID Economy & Universal Basic Income – Our economy is in a nosedive, millions are out of work, and the Fed says the future is bad. What should be done? And is UBI part of the answer? Join us for a discussion with Scott Santens, UBI expert, and Hale Stewart, economic analyst, as we look at how to deal with all of this. (watch)
[podcast]Protests & COVID – plus interview w/ Charles Booker – This week we continue talking about the wave of protests all across Kentucky, and update the status of the COVID-19 outbreak. Then, we interview U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker, who talked candidly about his campaign and the painful time for his district and city. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
( 🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Why aren’t teachers at the table when it comes to COVID-19 planning? (720 shares)
- Booker receives endorsements from Sanders, AOC, and the Herald-Leader (675 shares)
- 🔥 Black Lives Matter in Crab Orchard, Kentucky (672 shares)
- Uptick accelerates as Beshear announces 319 new coronavirus cases, most in more than a month, with 65% in Jefferson County (531 shares)
