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HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THEM? MAYOR HOLT: I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THAT. I SAW SOME IMAGES. I SAW A GROUP THAT GOT OUT OF THEIR CARS AND BUNCHED UP REALLY CLOSELY TO SHOW HOW MUCH THEY DIDN’T FEAR THIS DEADLY VIRUS. I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY TO THAT IS, WHEN I SEE IMAGES LIKE THAT, I THINK OF THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ON THE FRONT LINES WHO ARE GOING OUT EVERY DAY, IN SOME CASES LEAVING THEIR FAMILIES FOR WEEKS AT A TIME, AND PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE AND PUTTING THEMSELVES IN DANGER TO TAKE CARE OF STRANGERS. THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SICK, ESPECIALLY IF THAT BEHAVIOR REFLECTS THEIR DAILY ACTIVITY. I KNOW THAT THOSE BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ACTUALLY BRAVE AND ACTUALLY COURAGEOUS ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE JUST THE SAME. I HOPE THAT WEIGHS HEAVY ON THEIR HEART WHEN THEY DO THAT KIND OF THING. PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK, PEOPLE ARE DIANE, AND PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES AR

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Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt on Friday responded to protesters who gathered at the state Capitol earlier this week urging Oklahoma to get back to work despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.A group of protesters gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday to spread the message that Oklahoma needs to get back to work as soon as possible and that the coronavirus restrictions are too strict.Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Latest local headlines, resourcesThe protest started with supporters gathering outside Penn Square Mall, where people got out of their cars — in clear violation of social distancing orders from the city and state.After leaving the mall, most people stayed inside their vehicles when they got to the Capitol. The group's argument was that Oklahoma doesn't need such strict rules.During a news conference Friday, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt responded to the question asking what he would say to those protesters.“When I see images like that, I think of the health care professionals who are on the frontlines, who are going out every day, putting their lives on the line to take care of strangers,” Holt said. “Those people are going to get sick, especially if that behavior reflects their daily activity.”“I know those brave and courageous health care professionals are going to take care of those people just the same. I hope that weighs heavy on their heart when they do that kind of thing,” Holt said.Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday responded to the rally, saying, "I know Oklahomans are frustrated, ready to get life back to normal. Our plan is to do it safely."The governor also told KOCO 5 that even though he said Oklahoma's COVID-19 projections have started to look better, it's not time to take our foot off the gas.“People are getting sick. People are dying and people on the front lines are sacrificing everything for us. And we should sacrifice just a little for them,” Holt said.Holt also provided an update on the city’s coronavirus response and discussed the city’s plan to reopen nonessential businesses. Watch his full news conference in the video player below: