Closing bars in MS a ‘definite possibility’ as COVID-19 cases rise, Reeves says
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves appears to be moving closer to shutting down at least some bars in the state after hearing concerns in person Wednesday from Dr. Deborah Birx, who is helping lead the White House response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reeves didn’t say whether he planned to sign a new executive order on bars this week, but he did say, “It’s a definite possibility.”
“Conversations are being had,” the first-term governor said. “It is not in my DNA to shut down private business, so this is something we’re having conversations about. There seem to be distinctions between those that are outdoor versus those that are indoor. There are of lot of nuances we’re trying to work through, but I am concerned about potential transmission in bars.”
New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising in Mississippi, and the general consensus of experts is that rising infection rates among younger people is spurring the spread of the virus. There were 1,025 new cases announced in Mississippi on Wednesday with 1,099 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases as of Tuesday.
Texas and Louisiana have shut down bars, and the Florida governor has banned alcohol consumption in his state’s bars.
Reeves said the subject of bar closures came up in conversations with Birx on Wednesday.
“It seems to be a pretty strong recommendation (from health officials),” Reeves said. “Young people are going to bars and hanging out all night. They tend to veer away from wearing masks and socially distancing. That is not a good recipe for success.”
Reeves said he and health officials are debating the best approach, including a narrow measure that could focus on 13 counties, including Harrison and Jackson, that are currently under more strict social distancing measures and mask mandates.
“Should bars statewide be closed or should bars in the 13 counties be closed, or what exactly does that look like?,” he said. “We know what has happened in Florida and in Texas.
“We also know there’s a lot of reasons for the uptick in cases, but one of the reasons is young people going to bars, having a big time and completely ignoring the down river effect that may have.”
This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Closing bars in MS a ‘definite possibility’ as COVID-19 cases rise, Reeves says."
