Quotes of the Day

“It doesn’t seem like the states care about people’s health. It just seems like everyone’s just worried about one thing and that’s money, instead of people’s lives.”

–Seth Amos, a server in Oklahoma City who says that despite his own health concerns, he plans to return to work in the coming weeks. [ABC News]

“In the short time beginning on May 1, 2020, that face coverings have been required for entry into stores/restaurants, store employees have been threatened with physical violence and showered with verbal abuse. In addition, there has been one threat of violence using a firearm. This has occurred in three short hours and in the face of clear medical evidence that face coverings helps contain the spread of COVID-19.”

-Stillwater City Manager Norman McNickle talking about resident reactions to health and safety measures that called for residents to wear face masks in public [Stillwater News Press]

“It’s a little terrifying, to be honest. I work for myself, I go to peoples’ homes. … I don’t think we’re ready to reopen.”

-Syd Lowery, a Norman massage therapist who noted that her line of work is “the opposite of social distancing” [The Journal Record]

“I think it is important that everyone recognize that as we are going into this, we are not celebrating that the virus went away. What we are trying to do is identify ways that we can go about our lives closer to what we used to know with reduced risk … recognizing also that we just cannot maintain shelter-in-place for the indefinite future.”

-Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum [Tulsa World] 

“As we provide instruction at a distance, we will need further resources from the federal and state level to provide electronic learning devices and internet connections to every child… While we cannot speculate what the state will do in regard to funding education for next school year, we are mindful that Oklahoma has quite a long way to go to restore funding to and begin to meaningfully invest in our public education system.”

-Dr. Deborah Gist, Superintendent for Tulsa Public Schools [Tulsa World]

“Computer programs are not a real substitute for preschool any more than the wooden puppet Pinocchio was a real boy. Young children learn best through hands-on activities engaged with adults and other children.”

-Steven Barnett, director of the National Institute for Early Education Research [Public Radio Tulsa]

“The internet is spotty at best, so a lot of the time we are watching the circle spin on the screen instead of watching or making content. It is frustrating.”

-Amy Batie, a teacher at Tahlequah’s Cherokee Elementary, speaking about managing bandwidth and technology from home as her school district has pivoted to online learning following the virus outbreak. [Tahlequah Daily Press] 

“Basically, I think it’s a dreadful idea, totally irresponsible, and damned wrong. I’m not making my establishment a petri dish of potential death that would subject my beloved staff family or guests to play roulette in.”

-Miranda Kaiser, owner of Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant & Bar, about the decision to allow restaurants to reopen dining rooms on May 1. [Tulsa World]

“My concern is if we open up Oklahoma too soon, we’ve deeply damaged our economy for no reason.”

-Jenna Franks, owner of multi-purpose salon in OKC, speaking about city and state reopening plans [The Oklahoman]

“I have to believe that we have a future here and we have to just keep moving as if it’s going to happen.”

-Andrea Randall, a nurse who also serves as interim administrator for Stigler’s hospital, discussing the hospital’s financial future [The Frontier]