I have been receiving a significant number of emails and calls wanting to know when and how the restrictions put in place as a response to the COVID19 outbreak. The opinions for relaxing the restrictions and for keeping the restrictions in place were all presented with passion and relevant perspective. I know the local business owners spend their nights rolling over in their minds what few options they have left to keep their various enterprises alive. Our health care professionals in light of 4 local deaths and an increased number of confirmed cases now at 51 must too be evaluating the few options they have available to insure public safety. Our county emergency health coordinators under the direction of our county commissioners and Dr. Brian Gee our county health office are trying to find a balance for Fremont County’s need to save the economy and save lives.

Governor Mark Gordon has in my opinion shown the leadership skills that won our confidence when we elected him as our governor. He resisted pressure from the White House to place more restrictions on the state, placing his confidence in our professionals on the ground in Wyoming to give him the information he needs to make decisions. In my conversations with Governor Gordon over the last three weeks I have found him to be open to any suggestions but then taking those suggestions and weighing them all the other information he has available. We will see restrictions being lifted as appropriate with plans in place by May 1st. Because the impact of this virus varies greatly across the state, the Governor will rely on recommendations from our county officials on what and how restrictions in their county will be removed. I support that approach and again express my faith and confidence in our county commissioners and county health officials.

I have visited the hospital here in Lander a couple of times with one extensive tour of how the Sage West administrations and staff have adapted their facility in preparation for a “worst case” scenario. They have certainly thought outside the traditional box to realign space, beds, and supplies to maximize those resources. They have been able to call on their national resources for supplies to give relief here in Fremont County.

I have been working with other legislators and the executive branch in an effort to address the enormous revenue shortfall Wyoming if facing, and as well trying to determine how to best use the money coming into the state from the federal CARES Act. A week ago on Saturday morning as I sat at my kitchen table making a spread sheet to categorize and rank various suggestions for the use of these federal dollars, I look out the kitchen window and noticed several local citizens gathered on the corner visiting about life. I pondered what they must be thinking and what they would do if they were in my position. I decided to find out, and so I approached them, introduced myself and shared with them what I was working on and then started asking them to share their thoughts and opinions on our current situation. It was fun and what I was most pleased about was that their thoughts aligned with the thoughts and suggestions that I and my legislative colleagues have developed.

Is there a new normal on the horizon for us here in Wyoming? I don’t know, I have never had a very good understanding of what normal is to begin with. I do believe that Wyoming as a whole will adjust and resume. I look forward to what the future brings.