House Republicans want some communities to reopen

Posted on May 15, 2020
State Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville). (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republicans are trying to keep the pressure on Gov. JB Pritzker to let Downstate communities open up to commerce sooner rather than later.

Pritzker keeps saying those who open early could be responsible for people’s deaths. Rep C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) says that’s not the issue.

“I think that the concern is ultimately healthcare,” said Davidsmeyer. “I think there’s a misunderstanding by the general public that sitting at home – hiding – is making the COVID virus go away. It is not. The COVID virus is still going to be there. We have to continue to follow the CDC guidelines and be safe. We have to open in a safe way. From the get-go we were told we need to shelter at home to flatten the curve. We were told we have to make sure our healthcare system can handle what COVID is bringing. “We have done that.”

Davidsmeyer added calls to poison control and suicide hotlines are going up — and it’s the action of the government, not the virus, that’s the problem.

Also, Davidsmeyer said the governor should show his work, rather than simply saying, science says so, then not sharing the data.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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