Despite virus threat, Georgia Republican meetings to proceed

 Even after some states have postponed ir presidential primaries because of threat of coronavirus, at least a few Georgia Republicans will get toger Saturday in each of more than 100 county conventions to elect delegates. y, in turn, will go to congressional district and state conventions that will choose delegates for Republican National Convention expected to minate Donald Trump for a second term.

It's t that state GOP is blind to threat of infection from coronavirus in public garings. Leaders are actually discouraging people from coming, saying y're making up delegate slates ahead of time. y say only a handful of people need to show up in counties across Georgia to officially elect delegates.

“Some of conventions may take place in parking lots,” state Chairman David Shafer wrote to Associated Press in a Thursday text mess. “se are pro forma meetings conducting minimally necessary business to preserve our ability to participate in national convention.”

But because Georgia elects those delegates through conventions, unlike states that choose m on primary election ballots, Shafer said Republican National Committee lawyers have advised party it can't scrub county meetings. When asked if state had sought a reprieve, he wrote “We are following guidance we were given."

Spokespersons for Republican National Committee did t respond Thursday to emails, phone calls and texts seeking comment.

Some or states are pushing back party meetings. Missouri Republican Party has canceled county caucuses. Instead, county Republican committees will meet by phone on April 4 to vote on slates of delegates and alternates to congressional district and state conventions. Texas GOP said this week it intends to move its state convention from May to July, pending approval by state party committee

t everything is going on as planned. Some county parties have been kicked out of ir original venues. Cobb County, suburban Atlanta county which elects more delegates than any or to state party convention, was going to meet in a church. w it will meet at smaller party office.

“ show has to go on,” said Cobb County Republican Chairman Jason Shepherd. “What we've been trying to do is limit attendance as much as possible.”

Shepherd said he's going to email delegate slates in advance for feedback, but said some people who may be unhappy with those selections may show up seeking to change slates.

“re are people who will say ‘I’m an alternate, but I want to be a delegate,' or ‘I want to challenge delegate so-and-so,’” Shepherd said.

Fears about coronavirus and COVID-19 respiratory disease that it causes could continue to be an issue for party on April 18, when it's scheduled to host 14 separate congressional district conventions, as well as May 29 and 30, when state convention is scheduled for suburban Atlanta.

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. vast majority of people recover from new virus.

A few counties already held ir conventions last week T.J. Dearman, chairman of Jackson County Republican Party rast of Atlanta, said about 10 people came.

“We were telling people y didn't have to come,” Dearman said,