By Gov. Steve Bullock
Montanans are no strangers to challenging
and unprecedented times. In 2017, we tackled the most expensive fire season on
record and the largest since the big burn of 1910. Through economic downturns,
we have made sacrifices in order to help neighbors in need and rebuilt again.
Even dating back to the Granite Mountain mine disaster over a century ago, we
made sure we came out of it a stronger community.
With coronavirus now reaching our state,
we again face challenging and unprecedented times. This pandemic not only gives
way to extraordinary health risks, but with it a ripple effect on our economic
and social well-being.
Montanans have always rallied together in
times of crisis. It’s time that we do so again.
Our first priority is prevention. The
small sacrifices we make now – missing out on a cancelled event, avoiding
crowds, and staying home if you feel sick – means keeping more folks healthy.
The person ahead of you in line at the grocery store could be among those most
at risk of falling ill to the virus. Social distancing is a primary protective
measure, and I urge every Montanan to take this seriously in order to protect
our friends and neighbors most vulnerable to the disease.
With prevention, we can slow the spread
of this virus and reduce strain on our frontline health care workers. This
requires difficult decisions – ones that I do not take lightly and that I know will
disrupt Montana families. But the actions we take now will ensure our state is
better off in the long run.
I directed the closure of dine-in food
service and alcohol beverage businesses, as well as other entities that pose
enhanced risks because it imposes large gatherings of people, such as movie
theaters, casinos, and health clubs. I encourage Montanans to utilize take-out
and delivery service to support our fellow businesses. I also directed the
closure of public K-12 schools for two weeks while communities, parents, and
schools plan for the event of a longer closure, making sure we’re still
providing students with a quality education through distance learning and with
essential services, such as school meals. I have suspended visitation in
Montana’s nursing homes, except for certain compassionate care situations.
Montana has a higher percentage of older adults – those must susceptible to
severe illness from COVID-19 – and this measure is imperative to keeping these
older generations safe. I also supported the Montana University System in its
decision to move to online classes for the remainder of the semester.
We are also monitoring the impacts of
COVID-19 from a public health perspective and an economic health perspective
and taking quick action to care for our fellow Montanans during these times:
- Emergency rules are now in effect to streamline unemployment
benefits. Workers impacted by COVID-19, whether it’s because they’ve been laid
off, are quarantined, or need to take care of a family member, can do so
without worrying about how they will make ends meet.
- Montanans without health insurance, who receive
a recommendation from a doctor, will be able to receive coverage for COVID-19
testing, and if they test positive, treatment.
- Access to telemedicine services have been
expanded to ensure Medicaid patients receive quality health care in their homes
to prevent unnecessary gatherings at health care facilities and keep our health
care workers safe.
- Small businesses across Montana are now eligible
for emergency loans to help them weather temporary closures and bounce back
from critical quarantine efforts.
I’m inspired by the business owners and
local communities who have made adjustments to their daily operating processes in
interest of public health. I’m inspired by the teachers, cooks, and volunteers
who are making sure kids still have a school meal to rely on. I’m inspired by the
doctors and nurses who treat us, and the lab techs who spend late nights
performing tests. I’m inspired by the Montanans who are checking on neighbors.
I’m inspired, but not surprised. As
Montanans, we have always recognized that when we have a long and hard road
ahead, we are better off taking that road together. With coronavirus in our
state, we have a lot of work left to do and many more challenges to overcome. But
as Montanans, I have no doubt that is what we will do.