“We need to set the tone here in Georgia… It is time for Senators Perdue and Loeffler to begin requiring masks at their campaign events.”
Atlanta, Ga. — This morning, investigative journalist and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Jon Ossoff joined CNN’s “New Day” to discuss what’s at stake in the January 5 runoff. During the interview, Ossoff was asked about the recent news of Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s (R-Ga) coronavirus test results, and Ossoff called on Loeffler and his opponent, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), to mandate masks at all their campaign events to keep Georgians safe.
Sens. Perdue and Loeffler have held multiple indoor campaign events with many attendees opting not to wear a protective mask, directly contradicting CDC health guidelines.
Georgia recently marked a new single-day record for COVID infections.
A transcript of Ossoff’s remarks can be found below:
“Let me make this very clear: This is a really important point. We need to set the tone here in Georgia, and I hope folks are paying attention. It is time for Senators Perdue and Loeffler to begin requiring masks at their campaign events.
“Reverend Warnock and I are holding outdoor events with urged social distancing and strong mask requirements. And as a matter of public health, Senators Perdue and Loeffler need to follow suit — they need to lead by example; they need to comply with CDC public health guidelines. I am calling on them to make the commitment today, that they will require masks at their political events, and that they will cease crowding people into these indoor spaces where there’s this high risk of COVID being spread.
“There are more than 1,000 Americans dying per day from this disease, and for everybody out there, on the road, about to celebrate Thanksgiving holidays, please take precautions y’all. We’re really at a dangerous point in this thing; wash your hands, keep your distance, wear a mask, pay particular attention to looking out for people in your family who are older, who are immunocompromised. There are a lot of people dying, a lot of lives on the line. Let’s all look out for each other this Thanksgiving season, this holiday season.
“There needs to be accountability for these political campaigns that are flouting CDC public health guidelines. And again, I am urging – urging, not just for their own sake, for the sake of the public, to slow the spread of this virus, Senators Perdue and Loeffler need to begin requiring masks at their events and complying with CDC guidelines. It’s long past time they take this step.”
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