Kemp to headline televised pandemic town hall on Thursday

Gov. Brian Kemp answers a question at the State Capitol where he gave an update on Covid-19 in Georgia on Monday March 9, 2020. Ben@BenGray.com for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will headline an hour-long town hall event Thursday to discuss the growing coronavirus pandemic that will be broadcast on the six major channels in Atlanta.

The governor will headline the 8 p.m. special on Thursday that will air live on WSB-TV Channel 2, CBS46, Georgia Public Broadcasting, 11 Alive, FOX 5 Atlanta and Univision 34 Atlanta.

The town hall will also feature Dr. Kathleen Toomey, head of Georgia’s public health department; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Homer Bryson, head of the state’s emergency management agency.

“As broadcasters, the television stations in Atlanta and around the state are committed to giving people the latest facts and details,” said Ray Carter, vice president and general manager of WSB-TV.

“This collaborative effort with the Governor gives us the opportunity to inform the public on the latest efforts to battle the spread of the virus, support people who are sick, and the impacts on our community.”

The governor will be stationed at WSB’s Atlanta office while Toomey will participate live with Fox 5 Atlanta. Bottoms will be with 11 Alive and Bryson will be on CBS46.

Other coronavirus task force members will be live with GPB and Univision Atlanta, which will carry the event live with Spanish translation.

The prime-time special will also be carried live on GPB’s nine television stations throughout the state and 18 station radio network.

"During this time, it is crucially important for people and organizations to come together, and by partnering on this initiative, we're expanding the capability of journalists and news organizations to work for the common good of keeping citizens informed,” said Teya Ryan, chief executive of GPB.