Tuesday marks 154 days since Eric Holcomb held a briefing on the state of COVID-19
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: ‘Darkest time’ of pandemic, Box says
ICYMI: ‘Indiana is on fire’ with COVID-19 and we’re just watching it burn
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today provided a list of reasons why Governor Eric Holcomb should hold a media briefing on Indiana’s ongoing fight against COVID-19. The Governor’s last media briefing on the pandemic was the last day of March, and in the 154 days since he last updated Hoosier families on COVID, Holcomb’s own health commissioner announced the state entered its “darkest time” due to the coronavirus’s Delta variant. In fact, Dr. Kristina Box declared “things are going to get much worse” for Hoosiers over the next month.
There’s no sugarcoating it: Indiana is once again “on fire”. But unlike last winter, it’s becoming quite clear Eric Holcomb is no longer using the “facts on the ground” to help guide Indiana out of the pandemic. Instead, the Governor is missing the opportunity President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan provided Indiana by letting the Indiana Republican Party’s extreme partisanship determine how the state responds to COVID-19 — not facts or science.
Hoosiers are demanding answers and are seeking leadership from the state’s CEO during this critical moment for the state. Should Holcomb continue his absence in leadership, it will prove how the governor has given up on the pandemic altogether. Here are some issues Eric Holcomb could address should he have the guts to end his moratorium on media briefings:
- COVID-19 Preventative Requirements (Masks) in Schools and Classrooms
IndyStar’s Study Hall newsletter reports explosion of COVID-19 cases in Indiana’s schools
Indiana Public Media: “Box also said the state estimates less than 10 percent of K-12 schools are doing COVID-19 testing, despite the Indiana Department of Health offering testing supplies.”
Economist Micah Pollak: “Average daily new #COVID19 cases among kids in #Indiana continue to set new records.”
Anderson Herald-Bulletin: “The surge in COVID-19 cases has fueled a masking debate across Indiana school districts — and districts nationwide — pitting those who want freedom to choose for their children against those who believe not masking puts their children’s health at risk.
In some cases, the debate at school board meetings has become emotional and, at times, disruptive.”
- Statewide Rise in COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths
IndyStar: “Great. Indiana starts week w/2,916 new cases reported. Over the weekend more than 8,500 new cases would have been reported but no reporting on weekend so they hit dash today. Last Monday 1,645 cases reported.”
Economist Micah Pollak: “Average daily new #COVID19 cases among kids in #Indiana continue to set new records.”
Economist Micah Pollak: “When we eventually look back at #COVID19 trends in #Indiana we’ll find that the worst time for adults was during the winter of 2020 and the worst time for kids was the fall of 2021 (right now).”
WIBC: “There are now 27 reported #COVID19 deaths from last Saturday, making it the deadliest day since Feb 20.”
WIBC: “2,221 Hoosiers are hospitalized with #coronavirus, 55 more than yesterday and most since Jan 21.”
- How Indiana Can Stave Off Its “Darkest Time”
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: ‘Darkest time’ of pandemic, Box says
Indianapolis Business Journal: Indiana health officials: ‘Things are going to get much worse’
Terre Haute Tribune-Star: Union Hospital again putting tent outside ER
WTHI: Hospitals are overwhelmed and cases are surging
- Why COVID-19 Testing is Scarce Across Indiana
Muncie Star Press: Demand, shortfalls making COVID-19 tests harder to get amid surge in cases
WISH-TV: Demand grows in Indiana for COVID-19 testing; rapid tests in short supply
WKVI: State Health Officials Attempting to Get More COVID-19 Tests to Schools
- The INGOP’s Campaign on Vaccines (or Lack Thereof)
INGOP Electeds Promoting COVID-19 Vaccines (Within Last Week):
- U.S. Congressman Dr. Larry Bucshon, 8.27.21
INGOP Electeds Failing to Promote COVID-19 Vaccines (Within Last Week):
- U.S. Senator Mike Braun
- U.S. Senator Todd Young
- U.S. Congressman Jim Baird
- U.S. Congressman Jim Banks
- U.S. Congressman Trey Hollingsworth
- U.S. Congressman Greg Pence
- U.S. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz
- U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
- Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray
- Indiana Speaker of the House Todd Huston
- Indiana Senate Republicans Social Media Accounts
- Indiana House Republicans Social Media Accounts
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