Little doesn’t plan another statewide shutdown to come



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BOISE (Idaho Ed News) – Gov. Brad Little has said he is not preparing for further lockdowns as the coronavirus continues to spread in Idaho.

“I don’t anticipate an upcoming shutdown,” Little said on Tuesday, in a public telephone meeting coordinated by AARP Idaho.

Little also used the call to reiterate assurances that controlled environments – where people wear masks and maintain six-foot distances – are safer than uncontrolled environments.

“We know that whether it’s in a classroom or a restaurant and people are spaced out, the risk of transmission is much, much lower,” Little said.

As part of his efforts to encourage in-person learning, Little has consistently said schools are safe and do not help with transmission. Last week, Idaho Education News asked Little’s office for science and data that shows schools are not a source of transmission. Little’s press secretary said officials from the Department of Health and Welfare were working to provide some of the data.

Tuesday’s town hall was on the 26th that Little has conducted since March 13, when he announced Idaho’s first confirmed case of COVID-19. It was also Little’s only public appearance of the week. Its calendar does not include any other public events coming up during that holiday week.

Several callers asked Little why he hadn’t ordered a statewide mask warrant or closed bars and ordered restaurants to operate using only delivery or take out.

“We’re trying to stop the spread, we’re not trying to bankrupt anyone,” Little said.

Little once again said he had failed to communicate the importance of taking precautions and changing behavior to slow the spread of the virus. He said he would post strong messages soon, some specifically targeting young people.

“I don’t need everyone to do the right thing, but it definitely helps if I get 80 or 90 percent.”

Although Little answered tough questions, there were moments of optimism. In honor of Thanksgiving, he expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers and said the first limited shipments of a vaccine could reach Idaho within about 30 days.

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