HCR 104
“That all such orders in effect on April 6, 2021 issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic hereby expire on May 17, 2021, with the exception of Executive Orders 57-20, 79-20, 82-20, 26-20, 11-20, 11-21, 13-20, 17-20, 19-20, 27-20, 35-20, 54-20, 63-20, 66-20, 7-20, 72-20, 73-20, 83-20, 31-20 and 10-21”
Providing for the expiration of certain emergency orders issued during the coronavirus pandemic declared on March 16, 2020 in West Virginia
- provide a time limit for the emergency orders that have been made by the Governor of West Virginia during the current COVID-19 pandemic
- West Virginia must not prolong emergency measures which might unduly harm the economic and psychological well-being of our citizens
Since Governor Justice declared a state of emergency on March 16, 2020, life as we know it has dramatically changed. What was supposed to be two weeks to “flatten the curve” has turned into a litany of restrictions affecting every single person in this state.
Healthcare services, school attendance, mass transit, air travel, teleworking, family gatherings, religious worship, births, deaths and more have all been predicated on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For nearly a year, our lives were dictated by the rise and fall of COVID-19 data — both cases and deaths — on a week-by-week or even day-by-day basis.
Data shows that prolonged COVID states of emergency have resulted in food insecurity, poverty, social isolation, an uptick in suicides and mental health issues, a rise in family violence and many other consequences that have been dire to the people of West Virginia.
Although many called for the governor to call the Legislature back into a special session, those cries were ignored and executive orders continued to be passed. It is imperative for the Executive Branch to have checks and balances. I urge you to support HCR 104 and provide a time limit for the emergency orders made by the Governor.