THOMASVILLE — A Thomas County commissioner is having trouble envisioning six-foot-long scissors barbers will use when barber shops reopen in a few days.

“I don’t know how you can practice social distancing in beauty salons, tattoo parlors and barber shops,” county Commissioner Wiley Grady said.

He wants the economy to recover, but in a safe method.

President Donald Trump wanted to leave coronavirus-related rulings up to state governments, Grady said, but is now disparaging Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for what the governor is doing.

“I feel comfortable there are stark differences between Trump and Kemp,” said Thomasville City Council member David Hufstetler.

Kemp has much expert advice at his fingertips, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Hufstetler said.

Thomasville residents and businesses are practicing precautions not required, adding that some businesses are providing masks and gloves for customers.

Trump believes in state control, Hufstetler said.

“He’s proven to be a reasonable, insightful, smart leader,” he said.

City Manager Alan Carson said the city will encourage people to be very careful, to maintain proper distancing, to wear masks and to follow CDC recommendations. All city offices will remain closed, he said.

“We will continue to operate as we have over the past month,” Carson said.

Thomas County Manager Mike Stephenson sees no problems with Kemp’s proposed reopening businesses. The governor’s orders have been laid out in a common-sense method, he added.

Virus-related circumstances in Thomas County are not the rule in other Georgia counties, Stephenson said.

He is comfortable with Kemp’s proposed business reopenings and thinks local residents should use common sense and caution during their daily lives. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820