Winston Salem Times

State Rep. Lee Zachary (R-Yadkin) said Lt. Governor Dan Forest questioned Gov. Roy Cooper’s shutting down businesses because of COVID-19, and added that the state should seek smaller and easier-to-use ventilators.

"Lt. Gov. Forest questioned Gov. Cooper’s restaurant and bar lockdown order because, in his opinion, the Governor had not complied with the proper procedure,” Zachary told the Winston Salem Times on March 31. “It was his [Forest's] understanding the governor’s emergency powers were to be used after consulting with the Council of State, which is the governor, lt. governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, attorney general, commissioners of agriculture, insurance, and labor commissioner, and the superintendent of public instruction."

Cooper did eventually consult with the Council of State members, Zachary said. 

Cooper, a Democrat, issued stay-at-home orders and closed or placed restrictions on how certain businesses operated in mid- and late-March to slow the spread of COVID-19. Several conservatives, like Forest and Zachary, have questioned if the Democratic governor acted too quickly and possibly against the law when the orders were issued. They've also claimed Cooper has a history of trying to usurp powers. Forest is running for governor against Cooper. 

The Yadkin Republican also weighed in on the $2-trillion federal stimulus package, stating while it would help North Carolina, it's not complete. 

"A lot of people will not be covered and the agencies that are to implement the program will be swamped and bogged down,” he said. “There are thousands of changes to be made as this virus overpowers our system. You cannot imagine all the things that need adjusting and deadlines that need to be extended. That Federal Stimulus will provide income for a while for employees of the businesses that are having to close, but I worry about the future.”

Zachary said he was unsure how hospitals and first-responders were ensuring a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment and ventilators.

“I’m sure the Governor’s Office is placing orders with suppliers but I'm unaware of any conversions of cut-and-sew operations into mask and gown producers,” he explained. “I did speak with one businessman who needed help getting a mask-making machine through customs. I also had a friend in the supply industry that had access to 50,000 COVID-19 test kits, but the Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) never called nor did any local hospitals. Both were notified by legislative offices. Going forward we need to identify manufacturers the state can go to.”

Zachary recommended that health officials seek to acquire greater numbers of smaller, easier to manufacture and use ventilators.

“In a pinch, we need to develop personalized ventilators and stockpile them,” he said. “The instructions on how to use them can be found on cell phones. Everything else can be found on a cell phone.”