A state representative from Covington is urging an end to the stay-home order at month's end, saying that Louisiana is facing an economic abyss if the coronavirus measure put in place last month by Gov. John Bel Edwards is extended.

In a news release, Rep. Mark Wright, a Republican, said that he respects Edwards' effort protect the people of Louisiana and what health care professionals and people are doing to reduce the the spread of the virus.

"But at the end of the day, we cannot continue with these drastic measures as unemployment soars and countless small businesses close their doors permanently," he said.

Two of the state's largest economic sectors, tourism and oil and gas, "have been wiped out, with little hope in the near future," Wright said, and the state faces "an economic abyss that will challenge us for years."

Shauna Sanford, communications directors for Edwards said that the governor was traveling Monday. ""While Rep. Wright has not made this request of the governor directly, Gov. Edwards has always said the timeline is being dictated by the virus, and his decisions will be made to protect the health and safety of all the people of Louisiana," she said.

Edwards also has created a business resilience task force that Sanford said will beging meeting soon to address the recovery of Louisiana businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19.

When Edwards initially put the statewide order in place on March 23, it was to run through April 13, but he extended it through April 30, calling the spread of COVID-19 a "life or death situation."

Wright said Monday that those who are most vulnerable, "are most vulnerable are aware of their risk factors and can make their own choices."

Monday, the Louisiana Department of Health was reporting 21,016 coronavirus cases in the state and 884 deaths. St. Tammany Parish has 881 cases and 48 deaths, according the state.

Wright said that the Louisiana should follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and observe social distancing and frequent hand-washing but should also follow the example of Texas and Oklahoma in reopening.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that he will be issuing an executive order later this week that lays out his plans for opening the state back up, according to the Texas Tribune, and will also announce whether Texas schools will reopen. He said the reopening would be a "slow process," guided by public health concerns, the Texas Tribune reported.

Wright has been in office just over two years after winning the House District 77 seat in a special election in late 2017 when John Schroder left to run for state treasurer. Wright was elected to a full term last fall.

Wright's educational and professional background is not in medicine. A vice president for the American Waterway Operators, his primary responsibility is managing collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard on the Mississippi River and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

He has bachelor of arts degree from Xavier University and master of business administration degree from the University of Dallas.