Governor Eric Holcomb says he understands people’s impatience for the state to reopen, but protesting in large crowds outside of the governor’s mansion is not the way to make your voice heard. During Monday’s press conference, Holcomb said he respects Hoosiers’ right to express their opinions but felt the weekend’s protest was not a productive way to do that.
“Potentially, it just sets us back,” the governor said. “Set aside how almost demoralizing it can be to those frontline people that I just talked about that go into work every single day and wonder if they’re going to take it home. But when we just add to that, almost in a flaunting way, it is not helping.”
Holcomb added that the environment seemed like a perfect petri dish for how COVID-19 could spread, noting that the protest occurred in Marion County where about a third of the state’s positive cases and deaths have been reported. “There will be a new normal, and we will get there,” Holcomb said. “And we’re on the right path. That’s the somewhat frustrating thing is, for the most part in the State of Indiana, we’re on the right path. We just announced some progress. We spent all weekend working on responsibly and safely reopening. We want to do this in a smart way, and we’ll get there a lot faster if everyone subscribes to the notion that we’re in this together.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said that she respects people’s right to protest, but she would like them to wear masks and practice social distancing.
