How Little’s coronavirus emergency declaration affects Idahoans, including price gougers

Editor’s note: For more information on Idaho’s first confirmed case, please read this story.

Gov. Brad Little declared a state of emergency on Friday in response to the novel coronavirus.

Little said the declaration was proactive in a state that still had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of the Friday morning news conference, but by Friday afternoon, state health officials confirmed the first case of the new virus in the state.

At a news conference with Little, State Epidemiologist Christine Hahn estimated that 15-35% of Idahoans could become ill.

The declaration makes money from the state’s Emergency Disaster Fund available and allows the governor to expedite contracts and purchasing of supplies. The proclamation directs state agencies to use state resources to “do everything reasonably possible” to assist people affected by the virus.

It also allows the state to tap into a national stockpile of equipment and supplies, such as respirators.

Hahn said the state should be testing more people right now but does not have the capacity to test everyone. Private companies with labs in other states began taking test samples from Idaho days ago, and the results are just now getting back.

“Our biggest challenge right now is estimating the number of ill, because that’s the big unknown,” Hahn said.

State and private labs had tested a total of 131 Idaho patients as of Friday morning.

Health officials have asked that tests go to people who are sick enough to be hospitalized and who have the highest likelihood of coronavirus exposure. Based on COVID-19 outbreaks in other places, it is believed that about 10-20% of those infected with the novel coronavirus will need to be hospitalized.

Little signed Senate Bill 1400 on Friday, which transfers $2 million from the state general fund to the governor’s emergency fund. That money can be spent by Little “to address unforeseen emergencies and to protect the interests of the state.”

School closures, large event cancellations

The governor’s emergency proclamation does not affect schools. The decision to close schools is a local decision, said Sherri Ybarra, Idaho’s superintendent of public instruction, at the news conference.

Ybarra said it is possible schools could go to online-only instruction. The state is looking into concerns about internet connectivity and access to meals.

The Idaho High School Activities Association said decisions on spring sports are up to the local school districts. The Nampa School District, one of the largest districts in the state, said it was making decisions on large events on a case-by-case basis but canceled a dance competition scheduled for Saturday at Skyview High School.

Little said he isn’t planning to order the cancellation of large events. Many events, such as the Treefort Music Fest, have been canceled or postponed, and public health agencies are urging people to reconsider such gatherings, but no orders have been issued to stop them.

“We don’t know where we are” in terms of a potential coronavirus outbreak, Little said. “My goal is for everybody in Idaho to do the right thing.”

Health care workers, hospitals

On the low end of current estimates, more than 25,000 Idahoans may need to be hospitalized at some point as the novel coronavirus spreads. Some will need to be placed on ventilators or in intensive care units.

Little stressed that prevention efforts, like hand-washing and avoiding contact with people when sick, can slow down an outbreak. That could make it more manageable for hospitals, so they aren’t overwhelmed.

Little’s proclamation allows nurses who have retired or left the profession to expedite the renewal of their nursing licenses.

Little said he also is thinking about ways to help provide child care to health care workers during their shifts, if that becomes necessary.

“When a school district closes, the issue is where do (the students) go?” he said. “And one of the things that’s most important to me is, my health care workers, what’s available for them?”

Prices on necessary supplies

During a state of emergency, Idaho’s price gouging statute kicks in. That means it’s unlawful to sell fuel, food, medicine and water for human consumption “at an exorbitant or excessive price,” according to Idaho law.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and private individuals enforce that through civil court action.

“I encourage Idaho businesses to treat their neighbors fairly in the marketplace,” Wasden said in a news release. “Idahoans who see activities to the contrary should report instances of price gouging to my office.”

Idaho’s price gouging restrictions last the duration of the state of emergency. The restricts run the duration of both Idaho state of emergencies, as Little declared Friday morning, and national ones, as President Donald Trump declared Friday afternoon.

Statesman reporter Michael Lycklama contributed to this story.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 10:03 AM.

Hayley Harding

Idaho Statesman

208-377-6481

Hayley covers local government for the Idaho Statesman with a primary focus on Boise and Ada County. Her political reporting won first place in the 2019 Idaho Press Club awards. Previously, she worked for the Salisbury Daily Times, the Hartford Courant, the Denver Post and McClatchy’s D.C. bureau. Hayley graduated from Ohio University with degrees in journalism and political science.If you like seeing stories like this, please consider supporting our work with a digital subscription to the Idaho Statesman.

Audrey Dutton

Idaho Statesman

208-377-6448

Investigative reporter Audrey Dutton joined the Statesman in 2011. Her favorite topics to cover include health care, business, consumer protection and the law. Audrey hails from Twin Falls and has worked as a journalist in Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Washington, D.C.