Skip to main content

Greg Gianforte • Montana • Democrats

Gianforte, Cooney Set Priorities For Health Amid Pandemic, Details Few

It's less than two weeks before election day and Montana on Thursday again set a new record for COVID-19 cases reported in a single day with more than 900. Whoever is elected as Montana's next governor will inherit oversight of the state's response to the pandemic. Yellowstone Public Radio's Nicky Ouellet and Rachel Cramer discuss what the candidates are and aren't saying about how they'd handle the public health crisis.

Nicky Ouellet: Current Gov. Steve Bullock flexed executive emergency powers in March when he issued a stay home order to curb the spread of COVID-19. He’s also mandated face coverings, restricted crowd sizes, ordered a phased reopening plan for businesses, though he’s turned to counties to do the bulk of the enforcement work on those.

Rachel, how are candidates Democrat Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte approaching the public health side of coronavirus response in their campaign pitch points?

Rachel Cramer: Gianforte told me this week over email he’s holding off on developing a plan for managing the health side of the virus and an anticipated vaccine until he has a clearer picture of what we’re facing closer to when he’d assume office. He said he’ll rely on advice of public health professionals and community leaders.

Mike Cooney Monday did release what he called his priorities for continued management of the COVID-19 pandemic, acquiring and distributing a vaccine and helping Montanans return safely to work. He said these priorities were formed after consultation with top public health experts and will be used to develop a later plan.

Nicky Ouellet: Did anything stand out?

Rachel Cramer: Well, Cooney said he would advocate for additional energy bill subsidies for low income families so they can keep the heat on if they need to quarantine. He said he’d work with local public health departments and county commissioners to develop mask and gathering mandates that balance both public health and the economy.

In his “Keep Montana Healthy” plan released in August, Cooney said he’d work with lawmakers to pass legislation that would require insurance companies to fully cover the cost of COVID-19 testing and treatment for Montanans. He said he would also implement infectious disease standards for workplaces.

A lot of what was listed as his pandemic priorities this week are already happening.

Nicky Ouellet: Like what?

Rachel Cramer: Like making sure hospitals are fully equipped to handle more cases this winter and work with the National Guard to transport sick patients to hospitals during extreme weather.

Cooney didn’t provide a lot of details on where funding would come from. A lot of the current disease mitigation work in Montana is covered with federal coronavirus relief money, which can only be used through the end of the year unless Congress extends the deadline or approves more funds.

Cooney says he’s proud of the COVID-19 response he and Gov Bullock stood up, and he says the economy is coming back.

“Throughout this pandemic, I’ve worked virtually non stop to help lead our state through this crisis, and as governor, keeping Montana healthy is going to be my number one priority," Cooney said during a round table event Monday.

Cooney has emphasized that the economy can’t recover if workers and consumers are sick.

Gianforte on the other hand, says his top priority as Montana’s next governor would be economic recovery while protecting the most vulnerable from the coronavirus and making sure a future vaccine would be widely available and accessible.

While touring the Montana State University COVID-19 testing lab last month, he said it’s important to have diagnostic testing and praised the collaboration between MSU and the state for increasing Montana’s capacity to run tests.

“Maybe by the end of this year or early next year, we’ll have vaccines at scale for those, particularly our front line health workers and others that may be vulnerable to an infection that would have severe consequences," Gianforte said.

But he’s been short on details for how to accomplish all these priorities.

Nicky Ouellet: Did Gianforte say if he would remove the statewide mask mandate and business capacity limits?

Rachel Cramer: In an email response, he wouldn’t say if he’d remove those mandates, but again he said we don’t know where we’ll be three months from now.

Gianforte did say he would emphasize providing Montanans guidance over imposing government mandates.

Nicky Ouellet: This summer while on a call with constituents Gianforte mentioned a conversation he’d had with a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who said the rate of COVID-19 infections was high enough that the country could achieve what’s called herd immunity by the end of this year. Gianforte framed that as good news on that July call.

Rachel Cramer: Natural herd immunity is the idea that if enough people catch an infectious disease and then become immune, it will no longer spread. But infectious disease experts say that to get to that point without a vaccine, hundreds of millions of Americans would need to get infected and A LOT of people would die.

I asked Gianforte if his views have changed on herd immunity, especially now as hospitals are facing capacity issues with the rise in cases, and he said via email QUOTE “I believe the best course forward is to reduce the spread of the virus and do everything we can to deliver a safe, reliable vaccine.” END QUOTE

Nicky Ouellet: I just want to jump in here and note that Dr. Gottlieb in an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal in August wrote,“confronting a dangerous pandemic requires containing spread wherever possible.”

Thanks, Rachel, for sharing your reporting.

Rachel Cramer: Thanks, Nicky.

read://https_www.mtpr.org/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtpr.org%2Fpost%2Fgianforte-cooney-set-priorities-health-amid-pandemic-details-few

Comments

Latest Post

Recent Posts Widget

Popular posts from this blog

Search answers for Best insurance for seniors - Discover new results

sponsored results for:  "Best Car Insurance for Seniors" 01 Search answers  for   Best   insurance   for   seniors  - Discover new results www.smartanswersonline.com/Best insurance for seniors/Information Use our reliable site to find what you're looking  for  on  Best   insurance   for   seniors . Comprehensive results are waiting  for  you on SmartAnswersOnline SEE IT ›› 02 Best   Cars  On  Insurance  - Search  Best   Cars  On  Insurance www.zapmeta.ws/Best Cars On Insurance/Now Find  Best   Cars  On  Insurance . Check Out 1000+ Results from Across the Web SEE IT ›› 03 Best   Car   Insurance   For   Seniors  - Search  Best   Car   Insurance   For   Seniors www.izito.ws/Best Car Insurance For Seniors Get  Best   Car   Insurance   For   Seniors . Get Instant Quality Info at iZito Now! SEE IT ›› Related Content: A brief guide on how to invest in the stock market The stock market has attracted both small-time and seasoned investors by the zillion. Quick gains, coupled with

The Goldbergs • American Broadcasting Company • Airplane • David Leisure • Erica Goldberg • Season premiere

How to watch the new season of ‘The Goldbergs’ Catch the one-hour premiere of   The Goldbergs   Season 8 tonight, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. You can also stream new episodes of the popular sitcom on   FuboTV   and   Hulu + Live (free trial) . Regional restrictions may apply. Tonight’s episode is a tribute to the 1980 comedy classic  Airplane! , with the family setting off for an end-of-summer trip to Miami and Murray being none too pleased to be flying coach. Set in the 1980s in Jenkintown, PA,  The Goldbergs  stars Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly Goldberg, Sean Giambrone as Adam Goldberg, Troy Gentile as Barry Goldberg, Hayley Orrantia as Erica Goldberg, Sam Lerner as Geoff Schwartz, George Segal as Al “Pops” Solomon and Jeff Garlin as Murray Goldberg. What channel is ABC on? You can find which channel ABC is on by using the channel finders here:  Verizon Fios ,  AT&T U-verse ,  Comcast Xfinity ,  Spectrum/Charter ,  Optimum/Altice ,  DIRECTV  and  Dish . Where can I watch 

James Redford • Robert Redford • The Redford Center • Kyle Redford

Robert Redford’s son, James Redford, dies at 58 James Redford was an environmental activist and a philanthropist, as well as a documentary filmmaker. Robert Redford and his son James Redford attend the “Spin” screening at the AFI Fest in 2003 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images James Redford, a filmmaker, activist and son of actor Robert Redford, has died. He was 58. Robert Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement Monday that the 84-year-old father is mourning with his family during this “difficult time.” His wife, Kyle, confirmed in an interview with  The Salt Lake Tribune  that her husband died Friday from bile-duct cancer in his liver. Kyle said her husband’s liver disease returned two years ago and the cancer was discovered in November last year while he waited on a liver transplant. James Redford (left) and his parents Robert Redford and Shauna Redford attend the premiere of “Our Souls At Night” at at The Oak Room in 2017 in New York City. Getty Images She posted

Los Angeles Rams • National Rugby League • Sean McVay • Thomas Brown • Head coach • Centre-back

Sean McVay sees endless potential in Rams RBs coach Thomas Brown By now, Sean McVay should be used to losing his coordinators and assistants to promotions around the NFL. He’s seen Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor and Greg Olson all leave for either coordinator or head coaching jobs, which is a testament to the impact McVay has on his assistants. He should prepare to possibly lose Thomas Brown at some point, too. Brown is currently the Rams’ running backs coach but McVay sees no limit on how high he can ascend in the coaching ranks. McVay left no doubt about Brown’s potential as a coordinator candidate, despite this being his first gig in the NFL. “Yes. I think that there’s no limit for this guy,” he said last week. “I’d be so happy for him if he continues to ascend but sad for the Rams. I think he can do whatever he wants. I think he’s definitely a coordinator. I think he’s got head coach potential, in terms of his leadership and the way he relates to guys. This guy’s a great coach. I don’t t

An 800-year-old cypress tree at Hung Temple - VinLove

An 800-year-old cypress tree at Hung Temple - VinLove : PHU THO- An ancient tree has 3 branches, representing the North, Central and South, but the same source.  To historical relic temple Hung (Phu Tho), in
 Tam Dao stone church is a famous tourist destination of Tam Dao town, Vinh Phuc - which is considered by many as "miniature Da Lat" right near Hanoi. Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc) is located about 70km from Hanoi city, of which 13km is a winding mountain road. This place is considered by many people as "miniature Da Lat". One of the most popular tourist attractions in Tam Dao is the stone church area. Tam Dao stone church is located on the high mountainside, beside the road leading to the top of Thien Nhi mountain, in the center of Tam Dao town, Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province. This stone church can be easily seen from the town. The church was built in 1906 and this is one of the four famous stone churches in Vietnam. Over the years, this building still retains its vitality and impressive beauty. Tam Dao Church is a destination not to be missed when visiting Tam Dao. Ha Thi Thu Thao is traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Thao spent a day exploring Tam Da

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic crushed by 'lucky loser' Lorenzo Sonego in Vienna quarters WATCH AND READ Djokovic suffers worst loss of career Novak Djokovic lost for only the third time this year after a listless effort in the Erste Bank Open quarterfinals and walked away happy. The top-ranked Djokovic lost his first meeting with 42nd-ranked Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 6-2, 6-1. It was his heaviest ever defeat in a three-set match. The only other time the Serb had won just three games was at the 2005 Australian Open at the hands of Marat Safin in a best-of-five set encounter. He lacked power in his groundstrokes and produced a string of mistakes. He fell 4-0 behind, and won just five points on Sonego's serve in the opening set. In the second, Djokovic missed all six break points before conceding his service game for a fifth time when Sonego closed out the win with a passing shot. Sonego shocked the world no.1. (Getty) Despite losing to a lucky loser for the first time, Djokovic was remarkably

Oa-beautiful • Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia • Protests • Car chase

Family Blames Police for DC Man's Death in Electric Scooter Crash; Protest Flares D.C. police say they tried to stop Karon Hylton because he was riding on a sidewalk without a helmet. His family says they chased him, causing his death A protest over the death of a 20-year-old D.C. man who died after he was hit by a car while riding an electric scooter has erupted outside a police station in Northwest Tuesday night. Karon Hylton died Monday after the crash Friday in the Brightwood Park neighborhood of Northwest D.C. His loved ones accuse police of causing the crash by chasing him.  Hylton died the day his daughter turned three months old, his girlfriend and the infant's mother, Amaala Jones-Bey, said.  “It’s mind-boggling. This was so unnecessary,” she said Tuesday.  Download our free NBC Washington app for  iOS  or  Android  to get the latest local news and weather. The Metropolitan Police Department says officers tried to conduct a traffic stop at about 10:10 p.m. Friday after

Free Avaya Spaces Trial

  You Don’t Need More Apps. Just More Collaboration. Get one place to connect however and whenever you need to with Avaya Spaces. Avaya Spaces is the collaboration app for however you need to work right now—with messaging, task management, HD video, file sharing, calling, and more. Bring it All Together Navigate the ever-changing world of work with one app that does it all. And collaborate with your team 24/7, from any location, on any device, at any time. Create the Environment You Want Replace your background, or step things up with a professional presenter view. These—along with noise elimination—are just some of the ways AI simplifies your day. Work Easily Across Apps Keep things moving with integration across apps you’re already using, such as Google, Microsoft Office 365, and others. Or, build the workflow you need with APIs. Stay Connected Collaborate easily no matter how big the meeting. Invite up to 500 people and use the 61-participant HD concert view to bring together large

These 18 Scenes From TV Shows And Movies That Were So Problematic, They Needed To Be Cut Entirely

  1.   In one of the animated "blooper reels" at the end of  Toy Story 2 , "Stinky Pete" — the villain of the movie, who's voiced by Kelsey Grammer — asks two Barbie dolls if they're "truly identical" and offers them a role in  Toy Story 3 ...but under the implications that he'll get "something" from them in return. In 2019,  this scene was cut  from all future releases of  Toy Story 2 . Disney Pixar 2.   The Breakfast Club  stars Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy, along with producer Michelle Manning, teamed up to get director John Hughes  to cut a scene  with "gratuitous female nudity." Universal Pictures ADVERTISEMENT The scene in question featured the members of the Breakfast Club spying on an attractive gym teacher while she was changing. Karen Leigh Hopkins was cast as the gym teacher before Ringwald, Sheedy, and Manning advocated cutting the scene altogether. Universal Pictures Hughes then replaced the gym teacher with a