Rep. Perrin Jones (R-Pitt) says North Carolina needs to develop a plan to deal with COVID-19. | Sr. Airman Sean Madden/National Guard
Rep. Perrin Jones (R-Pitt) says North Carolina needs to develop a plan to deal with COVID-19. | Sr. Airman Sean Madden/National Guard
A Republican House member said that North Carolina is still behind the rest of the nation when it comes to COVID-19 testing and management and issued a call for political unity and a dire warning if efforts don't change quickly.
Rep. Perrin Jones's (R-Pitt), who is a physician, comments come following a July 16 WBTV.com report about the state's slow response at first but has been making progress.
"We cannot diagnose, treat and prevent what we cannot test," Jones said in a July 17 Facebook post about the state and coronavirus. "This virus does not differentiate between Democrats and Republicans, but Democrats and Republicans can and should unite quickly on a scientifically sound plan to confront rather than cower from COVID-19."
His comments have received praise from at least one House member. Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Pitt) posted on his Facebook page on July 17 that "Eastern [North Carolina] is lucky to have a doctor who serves in the General Assembly. ... Rep. Dr. Perrin Jones is a great resource and works hard to hold those with medical qualifications accountable."
The WBTV.com article noted that North Carolina's initial pace of testing complicated matters to control the spreading of COVID-19 and though the state has instituted policies to address response, it has also seen a surge in positive cases, similar to other places nationwide.
"Substantial investigative reporting is apparent in WBTV's chronicling of our state's attempt to formulate a comprehensive testing, tracking, and tracing plan for battling this pandemic," Jones said in the post. "Reading this, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that we have lost precious time, time you bought through staying home, closing your businesses, being furloughed from or outright losing your employment, and separation from loved ones and normalcy. We must avoid permitting emotion to cloud our judgment, but frustration and anger are not only understandable reactions at this point, [but] they are very likely justified."
Jones also issued a stark warning to elected officials and the community-at-large.
"If a plan doesn't get devised and implemented with haste," he said on Facebook, "I shudder to contemplate the consequences for us, our neighbors and our state's future."
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