After Gov. John Bel Edwards ordered bars, casinos and other businesses to shut down or curtail operations to fight the rapid spread of the coronavirus in Louisiana, U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins posted a video in which he blasted the governor as “out of line” and accusing him of sitting in an “ivory tower.”

Higgins, a Republican from Lafayette, took a stance that is sharply at odds with public health professionals, political leaders and President Donald Trump’s administration, which has advised severe restrictions to tamp down a rising tide of COVID-19 cases.

Higgins posted the video — titled "We're not going to take it anymore" — to his official congressional Facebook page on Monday night.

“The people that own these businesses, they can make up their own mind. They’re not stupid,” Higgins said in the video, as he walked in front of a strip mall. “You can’t make their decisions for them because you think you know best. They know how to limit contact and adjust their services to respond to this virus. It’s a virus, man. We’re not being invaded by the Chinese army. We’re being impacted by a Chinese virus. Okay?”

The Trump administration announced guidelines Monday that urged U.S. residents to stay home, avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and called on people to avoid bars, restaurants and other public businesses. Edwards had instituted many of those recommendations statewide in Louisiana by executive proclamation earlier in the day.

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Edwards' actions have mirrored moves by governors in numerous other states and have drawn support from leaders in both political parties. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, has been an outspoken backer of the measures implemented by Edwards and other governors.

Higgins' video swiftly drew repudiation. Christina Stephens, a spokeswoman for the governor, called it “incredibly disappointing” that Higgins attacked the governor.

“Congressman Higgins clearly cares more about Facebook views that the people of Louisiana,” Stephens said. “In the span of about a week, Louisiana now has four deaths and 171 confirmed COVID-19 cases. We have one of the fastest per capita rates of coronavirus growth in the nation. In times like these we need to come together to protect our people.”

Cassidy, a physician, called the governor's actions absolutely appropriate and said the only question is whether the measures will be enough to prevent a public health disaster from unfolding in the state.

That catastrophic scenario is now playing out in Italy, Cassidy noted, with doctors forced to ration life-saving treatments. The death toll from the epidemic in Italy has been rapidly rising.

"Obviously we’re concerned about the impact on the economy," Cassidy said. But a situation like Italy "crushes an economy and it’s going to be harder to get back up than if we take our hits now."

U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, slammed Higgins over the post, adding that the steps taken by Edwards were "smart and swift" steps to "keep our families and communities safe."

"The Facebook video posted by my colleague represents the larger sense of ignorance surrounding the coronavirus, and just like the virus, we cannot afford to let that spread," Richmond said. "We are currently in the midst of a rapidly growing global pandemic, and it’s ... opinions like this that will ultimately keep people sick."

Higgins' office didn't respond to questions and an interview request on Tuesday.

Higgins' Monday night video isn't the first time the second-term congressman has ripped major public health measures aimed at slowing the epidemic.

Higgins blasted an earlier Edwards order banning gatherings of more than 250 people, criticizing the governor for including large church services in the ban.

During a congressional hearing with a top official from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last Wednesday, Higgins denounced any restrictions on travel or public gatherings in the U.S., proclaiming, "This is America." That night, Trump announced new restrictions on travel to and from most of Europe.

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Higgins also suggested the governor didn't have the authority to enforce the restrictions, a claim that was undercut Tuesday by several law enforcement agencies, threatened license revocations or citations to businesses found in violation.

“You’re hurting the citizens you’re supposed to serve. And based on what statute? What are you going to charge someone with if they keep their business open? What statute? The governor’s proclamation? Man, that’s not a statute,” Higgins said in the video.

Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and other agencies noted state law gives the governor broad powers during a state of emergency, including the ability to restrict gatherings and limit business operations.

“As such, local, parish, and state law enforcement agencies as well as other state authorities, including ATC and the State Fire Marshal, will be acting to enforce these rules set by the Governor,” the agencies said in a press release.