Dem Leader Thanks Governor for Supporting Bipartisan Idea

OKLAHOMA CITY — House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, today released the following statement in response to Gov. Kevin Stitt announcing he would ask the Oklahoma Health Department to implement a color-coded alert system. Last Wednesday, House Democrats advocated for such a system.

“The House Democrats are happy to see that the governor has heeded the call to implement a color-coded virus alert system,” Virgin said. “Adopting this system means more transparency and better communication of data to our constituents.

“As the governor rolls out this program, we will continue to advocate for clear, data-driven thresholds to each stage. These thresholds, both for escalation and deescalation, should be created by medical professionals, specifically those with a background in public health.

“This system must stay away from arbitrary barriers based on what is politically relevant at the time. We urge the governor to lean on the experts within Oklahoma’s health community to implement this program.”