Should Gov. Little extend Idaho’s stay-home order? Is the order working? Answer our poll
Idaho Gov. Brad Little will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday to address his plans for the state at the end of his 21-day stay-home order. The order expires at the end of the day Wednesday.
Little last week expressed optimism about the way the order has impacted the growth of coronavirus infections in Idaho. The state reported 323 new infections of the virus that causes COVID-19 last week vs. 782 the previous week. There were also 38.2% fewer test results last week, so that was partly responsible for the drop in new cases.
Below, we ask for your opinion on the stay-home order and will add some Facebook and Twitter comments from our readers. Check back for results and reader comments.
From Facebook:
Stephen Allen: We don’t know with 100% certainty if it’s working. We can make the assumption that it is but we know for a fact that the economy is being severely impacted by this and businesses are closing. People look at this issue one-sided. There needs to be a balance between safely working and opening up the economy and the govt providing clear guidance on how to protect the at-risk pop. We can see those that are scared are going to stay home regardless if the governor allows it or not. No mask wearing as it doesn’t stop the transmission.
David McGlasson: One question answers the other. Most people aren’t following the stay at home order. Darn near no one is wearing a mask. What’s the point? Let people go back to work.
Jackie Floyd: Open up now please. Headline on April 7 Times News; “MV unemployment up 2925%”. Please put us back to work!!!!
Kathi Lewis: Only .02% have been tested
Barbara Kelly Geatches: Granted the stay at home order has slowed the spread of CV 19, but at what cost? And what is the end goal? There is also NO EVIDENCE that fewer people will ultimately be infected with CV19 by sheltering in place and social distancing. … The shut downs are GUARANTEED to destroy our economy and millions of lives under the pretense that it might (but no evidence to support it) save thousands of lives. It’s time to end the shut down!
Kira Balderston: People ARE, at least most of the time, following the stay at home rule. IF we open back up too soon, this virus will explode, and MANY, many more will die. We need to make sure it is under control first, and a couple days of decent numbers is NOT good enough to make that assertion!!!
Darin Turner: I don’t know what the best thing to do is. I don’t envy anyone deciding which course to take. I sat my employees for 21 days. Our work is all about distancing, we’re tree climbers. We’re going to start back up later this week on a voluntary basis. Anyone who feels unsafe can stay home. Anyone who wants to stay home can without reprisal. We will continue to practice distancing with everyone getting to job sites separately.
Jonathan Pierce: I think we should give it one more week. Then, relax restrictions and closely watch the data. There should be specific benchmarks in place that trigger restrictions.
Katherine Stevens: Nope! People need to work!!! We need businesses open!
SidMeagan Ballard: Don’t extend it! We need to get back to living and get all our unemployed back to work
Roxane Jones: Won’t do any good as the second wave forms and we start all over. Let’s wait.
Penny Beach: Absolutely yes. We have very few ICU beds and ventilators in this state per capita.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 3:19 PM.
