Mississippi governor boasts about state’s 'roaring' economy as COVID continues to rage

As Mississippi continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19 and its aftermath, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) appears to be more focused on the state's "roaring" economy. The Republican governor recently took to Twitter with a clip from his interview and a caption boasting about Mississippi's economy as he vowed to rail against COVID-related federal mandates.

"MS' economy is roaring because we've refused to let fear & pressure dominate our COVID response," Reeves tweet. "We'll fight unlawful federal mandates, & protect lives & livelihoods - like we've done since day 1. Good to be w/ [Ingraham Angle] to discuss how real America is getting back to normal."

Appearing on Fox News with host Laura Ingraham, Reeves discussed the importance of protecting residents' "livelihood."

"It's been a challenging time across the country, but the reality is we've done it right because we've focused not only on saving lives but also on protecting livelihoods," Reeves said from in Oxford, Miss., which he considers "real America."

Reeves went on to suggest that other states might be viewing his state and other red states as a model. "We're seeing people around the country looking at Mississippi and other red states because we've been open for business. We have a business-friendly environment, we have a great place to come visit," the governor said.

While Reeves continues to focus on the state's economy, COVID is wreaking havoc on the state. Despite his pushback against federal mandates, some officials in his state are going a different way. According to the Clarion-Ledger, the Mississippi college board voted 9-3 to require COVID vaccinations for all public university staff members, statewide.

Per the publication:

"Board President J. Walt Starr, along with Vice President Tom Duff, Ormella Cummings, Steven Cunningham, Bruce Matron, Alfred McNair Jr., Chip Morgan, Gee Ogletree, and Hal Parker voted for the new guidelines. Trustees Teresa Hubbard, Jeanne Carter Luckey, and Gregory Rader voted no."

The board's vote comes as institutions across the country are embracing President Joe Biden's executive order making the vaccine a requirement for federal workers. The Clarion-Ledger notes, "New guidance issued by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force on Sept. 24 extended that requirement to federal contractors and subcontractors. Public universities with federal contracts also fall under the requirement."