High-five, Idaho! Study says you aren’t the least responsible state during COVID-19. (Quite.)

With the coronavirus scorching across the nation, states are rushing to control the pandemic.

Well, some states.

Idaho stands out in a new study of “The Most & Least Responsible States During COVID-19.”

The Gem State ranks No. 3 — the third least responsible state in America.

Gimme some skin, Boise. We’re not worst!

South Carolina (No. 1) and Kansas (No. 2) have drearier outlooks.

The rankings, created by website TheTruthAboutInsurance.com, are driven by data measuring how many adults wear masks in public, the percentage of citizens sheltering in place and the number of coronavirus tests administered.

And they’re zero surprise.

Trailing the pack is what we’ve done since March.

When the pandemic arrived, Idaho quickly ranked 48th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in WalletHub’s “Most aggressive states against the coronavirus.” That’s also when cable news host Rachel Maddow blasted Little’s COVID-19 policies on her MSNBC show.

Four months later, Boise has a citywide facial covering order. Area bars have been closed for weeks. And Central District Health just unleashed a mask mandate in Ada County.

But a dismissive army of local patriots refuses to play by social distancing and mask rules — even in the population-dense Treasure Valley.

Gov. Brad Little straps on a mask but has shown no appetite for issuing a statewide mandate. And don’t sweat it, Canyon County: Lake Lowell will freeze over in July before Southwest District Health pipes up with a mask order.

Either way, this new study includes interesting statistics.

The most responsible states are led by places that already became intimately familiar with body bags: New York, followed by New Jersey, then the District of Columbia.

Meanwhile, less than one-third of Idaho adults wear masks in public, according to the data. Fewer than one-quarter stay home when possible. And the COVID-19 testing rate is about 4.4 percent, it says.

Idahoans are friendly folks. We enjoy having the virus hang around, right?

“Idaho is a growing state,” the article notes. “Many people are drawn to the state’s many business opportunities, especially in the Boise area, and the low cost of living.”

“Unfortunately, if coronavirus infections continue to rise in the state, Idaho’s growth may slow substantially during the COVID-19 fueled recession.”

Wait — slowed growth?

Not to join the conspiracy crowd, but are you telling me that metropolis-wary Idahoans might be blowing off virus prevention on purpose? Economy be damned, there’s a silver lining in those tightly woven masks they’re refusing to don?

Forget face coverings. Let’s just wear paper bags over our heads, Idahoans.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.