>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> WE'VE HEARD HOW VACCINE ROLLOUT IS HELPING US ROUND THE CORNER ON THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19, BUT SOME PROPOSALS FROM THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE COULD JEOPARDIZE THAT DISTRIBUTION.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK DIRECTOR BRAD RICHY OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT JOINS US TO DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HEALTH ORDERS AND EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS, AND WHY ENDING THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION WON'T HAVE THE OUTCOME THAT SOME LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING FOR.

THEN AUDREY DUTTON OF THE IDAHO STATESMAN BRINGS US UP TO SPEED ON THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

BUT FIRST WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU UPDATES ON STORIES WE REPORTED ON LAST WEEK.

LAST FRIDAY THE HOUSE REJECTED A MOVE BY REPRESENTATIVE MUFFY DAVIS TO ALLOW FOR REMOTE VOTING UNDER VERY LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

DAVIS IS A PARAPLEGIC AND IS AT AN INCREASED RISK FOR LIFE THREATENING COMPLICATIONS IF SHE CONTRACTS COVID-19.

THE NEXT DAY, IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION'S MARCIA FRANKLIN SPOKE TO DAVIS, AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW EVERYONE WAS DISTANCED AND THE CREW WAS WEARING MASKS.

>> YOU KNOW FOR ME IT WAS DEVASTATING JUST BECAUSE IT BECAME POLITICAL, AND IT'S NOT POLITICAL FOR ME, IT'S PERSONAL.

IT'S MY HEALTH AND SAFETY.

UNFORTUNATELY THE LEGISLATURES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE FINDING WAYS TO SAFELY MEET, EITHER DOING REMOTE OR REQUIRING MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, BUT NOTHING IN IDAHO.

THEY'RE NOT REQUIRING MASKS, SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND THEY'RE NOT ALLOWING US TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY.

WITH NUMBERS THE WORST THEY'VE EVER BEEN IN THIS PANDEMIC, I'M HIGH RISK BECAUSE OF MY DISABILITY LEVEL, I DON'T HAVE FULL LUNG FUNCTIONING, AND IF I GET PNEUMONIA IT COULD BECOME LIFE THREATENING.

SO IT'S DEVASTATING.

I WANT TO DO MY JOB, IT'S AN HONOR TO REPRESENT MY CONSTITUENTS, BUT HAVE TO TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS WITH MY HEALTH AND SAFETY, YOU KNOW.

WHILE IT'S DEVASTATING THAT IT WAS A PARTISAN VOTE, I WANT TO SEE US ALL COME TOGETHER.

IT'S BEEN A RED AND BLUE, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN RED WHITE AND BLUE, WE'RE TEAM U.S.A. WE KNOW WHO THE ENEMY IS IN THIS, IT'S THE VIRUS, AND WE NEED TO FIGHT THAT ENEMY AND THEN WE CAN GO BACK AND HAVE OUR FREEDOMS.

BUT AS LONG AS THAT ENEMY IS THERE, THAT VIRUS IS RAGING, IF WE DON'T COME TOGETHER WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH IT FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THIS COUNTY HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIMATED BY MARCH.

>> THAT'S WHY I TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO DIED, I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE LONG-TERM HEALTH CHANGES, I KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL HAVING ISSUES, MY NEIGHBOR'S FRIENDS ARE STILL DEALING WITH IT.

AND I KNOW PEOPLE WHO GOT IT AND BARELY KNEW THEY HAD IT.

PEOPLE RUN AROUND, DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE IT AND ARE SPREADING IT, AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM IT.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, WE'VE GOT TO GET IT IN CHECK.

AND THIS COMMUNITY HAS LEARNED A LOT.

I FEEL SAFE WHEN I'M IN MY COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A MASK MANDATE AND PEOPLE ARE GOOD HERE.

OR THEY SOCIAL DAY DISTANCE AND GET OUTSIDE AND WE'RE SAFE.

BUT IN THAT STATE HOUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE.

>> AFTER LAST WEEK'S VOTE, THE HOUSE MAJORITY RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING THEY WOULD WORK TO FIND A COMPROMISE UNDER THE HOUSE'S EXISTING RULES.

AND ON TUESDAY, HOUSE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR MEGAN BLANKSMA INTRODUCED ONE SUCH PROPOSAL.

>> 48270 WOULD ALLOW THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO DESIGNATION AN ALTERNATE LOCATION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR THE PURPOSES OF DEBATE ONLY.

THIS RULE IF ADOPTED WOULD BE IN PLACE UNTIL THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION.

IT'S TO PROVIDE MEMBERS A WAY TO STILL PARTICIPATE WHILE MINIMIZING THE TIME REQUIRED TO BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THEIR DISTANCE FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS, IF THAT IS THEIR DESIRE.

SO IF I WERE TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE NOT TO SPEAK OUT OF TURN, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE THE HOUSE SPEAKER THAT WOULD BE GIVEN THE ABILITY TO CREATE THIS ALTERNATE POINT OF DEBATE, IT WOULD BE A MICROPHONE ON THE FLOOR WHERE PEOPLE COULD WATCH VIA THEIR LAPTOP OR SOME OTHER STREAMING, SOMEWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN THE HOUSE FLOOR IF THEY CHOSE TO DEBATE, THEN THEY COULD COME IN, SPEAK IN A MICROPHONE THAT WOULD BE DISTANCED FROM OTHER MEMBERS AND THEY COULD ALSO LEAVE.

SO IT WOULD HAVE MAX MULL DISTANCING IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD SO DESIRE.

>> ON WEDNESDAY, AS THE NATION WATCHED PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS GET SWORN IN, SOME KEPT A WARY EYE ON STATE CAPITOLS AFTER WARNINGS FROM THE F.B.I.

THAT THE BUILDINGS COULD BE THE SCENES OF VIOLENT PROTESTS OR RIOTS.

BUT IN IDAHO AND MOST OTHER STATES THE WARNING WAS FOR NAUGHT, AS ALMOST NO ONE SHOWED UP TO PROTEST.

BUT IF THE STATE HOUSE LACKED EXCITEMENT ON WEDNESDAY, IT MADE UP FOR IT ON FRIDAY WHEN GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE WENT ON LIVE TELEVISION TO SLAM LAWMAKERS FOR PROPOSALS TO END IDAHO'S EMERGENCY DECLARATION RELATING TO COVID-19, AS SUCH PROPOSALS WOULD JEOPARDIZE MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING USED FOR VACCINE ROLLOUTS, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, AND MORE.

>> THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY DECLARATION WAS REQUESTED BY IDAHO COMMUNITIES.

AND IT IS CRITICAL IN ORDER FOR IDAHO TO RECEIVE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS, TO MANAGE THIS CRISIS.

THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY DECLARATION HAS ENABLED US TO QUICKLY CUT RED TAPE AND INCREASE HEALTH CARE ACCESS.

THESE ARE THE FACTS.

HERE IS THE MYTH.

THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION SOMEHOW SHUTS DOWN IDAHO OR TAKES AWAY YOUR RIGHTS.

THAT IS PATENTLY FALSE.

AMAZINGLY, SOME IN THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE ARE PERPETUATING THAT MYTH AND ACTIVELY SEEKING TO END IDAHO'S COVID-19 EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU, THE CITIZENS OF IDAHO?

IT MEANS LESS VACCINE, MORE TAXES, AND MORE RED TAPE.

IT MEANS THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IS JEOPARDIZED, SOMETHING THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN THIS FINAL STRETCH OF OUR PANDEMIC FIGHT.

IT MEANS CITIES AND COUNTIES WILL HAVE TO FIND FUNDS FROM YOU TO PAY FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BATTLE COVID-19 IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT MEANS HOSPITALS COULD LOSE ACCESS TO CRITICAL SUPPLIES.

IT MEANS WE'D LOSE THE FUNDING TO UTILIZE THE IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD TO SUPPORT TESTING, VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, FOOD BANKS, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER IN THE PANDEMIC FIGHT.

IT MEANS WE CANNOT CUT RED TAPE AND BREAK DOWN REGULATORY HURDLES TO STAND IN THE WAY OF BETTER HEALTH CARE ACCESS.

IT MEANS YOUR FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS GO TO CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK AND OTHER STATES.

IT MEANS THIS TERRIBLE PANDEMIC AND THE DISRUPTION TO YOUR LIVES WILL BE EXTENDED, NOT ENDED.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE ARE SEEKING POLITICAL GAIN BY PERFECT PIT WAITING -- PERPETUATING THIS MISINFORMATION ABOUT EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS OF THEY ARE PLAYING POLITICS, AND UNFORTUNATELY THE LOSER IN THIS SHAMEFUL GAME WILL BE YOU, THE CITIZENS OF IDAHO.

MEMBERS OF THE IDAHO HOUSE ADMIT THEY ARE NOT SURE OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF ENDING THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

WHY, THEN, WOULD YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH SUCH A DAMAGING MOVE FOR OUR CITIZENS, ONE THAT WILL COST IDAHO TAXPAYERS TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE IDAHO SENATE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO ACCESS FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO OVERCOME THE CRISIS.

WHY, THEN, ARE YOU INTENT ON MOVING FORWARD WITH AN ACTION THAT WILL HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT?

I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT WHAT THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE IS DOING IS HARMFUL TO OUR PEOPLE AND WRONG FOR IDAHO.

I URGE MY PARTNERS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO STOP THE POLITICAL GAINS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

ABANDON THE MYTH THAT THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION SOMEHOW SHUTS DOWN IDAHO.

ABANDON THE MYTH THAT THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION SOMEHOW INFRINGES ON YOUR RIGHTS.

ABANDON THESE IRRESPONSIBLE ATTEMPTS TO UNDO IDAHO'S EMERGENCY DECLARATION, AN ACTION THAT ONLY PUTS THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS IN JEOPARDY.

>> TO WATCH THE ENTIRE COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT, GO TO THE IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION YOUTUBE PAGE.

WE ALSO HAVE IT ON THE "IDAHO REPORTS" SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES.

SHORTLY AFTER THE SPEECH, THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS RESPONDED, SAYING THE "INFLAMMATORY COMMENTS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DO NOTHING BUT COMPLICATE THE PROCESS.

THE LIFE ALTERING CONCERNS REVOLVING AROUND THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY CONTINUE TO BE IN THE FRONT OF OUR MINDS.

OUR MEMBERS ARE WORKING ON VARIOUS FORMS OF LEGISLATION TO HELP THE STATE ON ITS ROAD TO THE RECOVERY THAT IDAHOANS HAVE BEEN DEMANDING FOR MONTHS AND WE CALL ON THE GOVERNOR TO WORK WITH US IN THIS PROCESS."

THE STATEMENT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE FACT THAT ENDING THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION WOULD HARM VACCINE ROLLOUT AND WOULDN'T AFFECT MASK MANDATES.

LITTLE'S SPEECH WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TIME LAWMAKERS HEARD THIS INFORMATION.

THIS WEEK DIRECTOR BRAD RICHY OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE THAT A PROPOSAL TO END THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION BUT KEEP FEDERAL FUNDING LIKELY WOULDN'T WORK OUT, THAT NOT ONLY WOULD IDAHO STAND TO LOSE THOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID BUT THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HEALTH ORDERS REGARDING FACE COVERINGS, GROUP SIZES OR BUSINESS RESTRICTIONS.

THOSE MITIGATION EFFORTS COME FROM HEALTH ORDERS.

STILL, THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SENT THE PROPOSAL TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

AS IT'S A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, IT DOESN'T NEED TO GO TO THE GOVERNOR, IT WOULD JUST NEED TO BE APPROVED BY BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE GOVERNOR CAN'T VETO IT.

ON FRIDAY, RICHY JOINED ME TO DELVE INTO THE DETAILS OF WHAT EXACTLY A DECLARATION DOES AND DOESN'T DO.

SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT ALLOW THE STATE TO DO?

WHAT KIND OF FUNDS DOES THAT ALLOW THE STATE TO ACCESS?

>> WELL, UNDER A DECLARATION úTHERE'S AN EMERGENCY DISASTER ACCOUNT THAT ALLOWS US TO IMMEDIATELY HAVE THAT FUND OPEN TO RESPOND TO WHATEVER RESPONSE THAT THE COMMUNITIES ARE FACED WITH.

NORMALLY THE WAY THE DISASTER PROCESS WORKS IS IT STARTS OFF AT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THEY HAVE AN ISSUE, IT CONTINUES TO GROW, IT GETS BIGGER, IT OVERWHELMS THEM.

2017, YOU KNOW, WASHINGTON COUNTY, OVERWHELMED BY THE AMOUNT OF SNOW THAT THEY HAD.

AND THEY WORKED TO TRY TO HANDLE IT, THEY SPENDED FUNDS.

WE LOOK AT WHERE THEIR BUDGET ISES AND WHAT THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET IS FOR SNOW REMOVAL AND IF THEY'VE ALREADY SPENT ALL THEIR FUNDS FOR SNOW REMOVAL THEN WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CURTAIL EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THAT'S WHEN A COUNTY WILL COME TO THE STATE AND ASK THE STATE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT.

AND THAT WILL OPEN UP THE EMERGENCY FUND, AT WHICH TIME WE CAN PUT IN EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEASURES.

YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU NEED, WHAT CAN WE DO, IS IT SAND BAGS, IS IT SUPPRESSION OF FIRES, IS IT SNOW REMOVAL.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE PART OF THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

>> AND I HAVE TO NOTE THAT THAT'S RARELY CONTROVERSIAL WHAT YOU NORMALLY DO ALMOST NEVER BECOMES A POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

>> NORMALLY, AGAIN, WE'RE WORKING ON BEHALF AND WE'RE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO SOLVE THE ISSUES, YOU KNOW, HOMES ARE BEING EVACUATED, THERE'S WILDFIRES THREATENING THE AREA, THE FLOODING HAS MOVED A TRAILER DOWN THE RIVER, YOU KNOW, THAT SOMEBODY WAS LIVING IN THAT NO LONGER HAS A HOME.

SO NORMALLY IT'S NOT CONTROVERSIAL.

FROM THE ASPECT OF A RESPONSE.

BECAUSE A RESPONSE REALLY IS ALL ABOUT THE PREPARATION AND IDENTIFYING THE RESOURCES AND THE CAPABILITIES THAT WE CAN DO TO MINIMIZE ANY LIFE SAFETY EVENTS OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COVID SPECIFIC EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT ALLOWING THE STATE TO DO RIGHT NOW, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF IT?

>> WELL, THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUNDING STREAMS, AS THIS PAST YEAR WE'VE SEEN ALL KINDS OF UNEMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, WE'VE SEEN LABOR SUPPORT, WE'VE SEEN THE CARES FUNDING SUPPORT, AND WE'VE ALSO SEEN THE SUPPORT THROUGH F.E.M.A.

AND H.H.S.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXERCISE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO IS RECEIVING P.P.E., RECEIVING TESTING EQUIPMENT, BEING ABLE TO BRING IT INTO THE STATE AND DISTRIBUTE IT ACROSS THE STATE.

WE LOOK AT ALL THE HOSPITALS, ALL THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, ALL THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IN SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, THOSE ARE COSTS THAT NOBODY REALLY ANTICIPATED THIS YEAR, AND IT WASN'T REALLY WRITTEN INTO THEIR BUDGET.

SO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE FEDERAL AGENCIES TO BRING THAT TYPE OF ASSISTANCE INTO THE STATE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS.

COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.

THE V.A., THE FEDERAL V.A.

ADMINISTRATION IS SUPPORTING THE IDAHO STATE VETERANS HOME, BASED ON THE OUTBREAK THEY HAD THERE THE STAFFING CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE WITH THE INDIVIDUALS BEING SICK, WE PUT IN A REQUEST THROUGH F.E.M.A.

F.E.M.A.

MISSION ASSIGNED THAT REQUEST TO THE V.A.

AND THE V.A.

IS PROVIDING THAT TYPE OF STAFFING SUPPORT AS WELL AS VACCINATION SUPPORT, TESTING SUPPORT, TO THE VETERANS HOME.

>> SO WE TALKED A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THE MONEY IS DOING BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION DOESN'T DO, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD A LOT OF CONFUSION CON FLIGHTING THE HEALTH ORDERS THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND THE STATEWIDE EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

SO DOES THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH LOCAL MASK MANDATES OR BUSINESS CLOSURES?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THAT'S UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS.

THAT'S NOT WITHIN THE IDAHO STATE DECLARATION.

THAT'S NOT WITHIN TITLE 461008.

IT'S NOT PART OF WHAT WE DO.

>> SO, TO BE CLEAR, ENDING THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION WOULD HAVE NO IMPACT ON WHAT SOME OF THESE LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICTS OR COUNTIES OR CITIES HAVE, THOSE DECISIONS THAT THEY'VE MADE REGARDING MASKS OR GROUP SIZE LIMITS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, YES.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION OR IN OUR STATUTE, 461008, THAT EVEN ADDRESSES THAT.

YES.

>> SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THE SENATE HAS PROPOSED, BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO THREAD THE NEEDLE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO END THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION WHILE NOT JEOPARDIZING FEDERAL FUNDING.

IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?

>> WELL, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT BEFORE THE SENATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, I WOULD TELL YOU I AM NO LEGAL EXPERT, I CAN TELL YOU THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT WE HAVE SIGNED AND SENT TO F.E.M.A.

BASED ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION OF OPERATING UNDER AN EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN AND DOING EVERYTHING THAT HE CAN TO ENSURE THAT WE'VE EXHAUSTED, OR WORKED THROUGH AN EXHAUSTIVE METHOD TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN FOR ALL IDAHOANS.

UNDER THAT AGREEMENT, IF OUR DECLARATION WAS TO END, WE'VE REPRESENTED 44 COUNTIES AND FOUR TRIBES ACROSS THE STATE.

IN THAT APPLICATION.

WITH OUR APPLICATION NO LONGER BEING, OR IF OUR DECLARATION IS STOPPED, THERE IS NO AGREEMENT WITH F.E.M.A.

TO CONTINUE FUNDING OUTSIDE OF THAT DECLARATION.

>> IF THAT ENDS, HOW MUCH MONEY -- GO AHEAD.

>> I CAN KIND OF CLARIFY THAT A LITTLE BIT BETTER PROBABLY.

WHEN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES REQUEST STATE ASSISTANCE AND ONCE WE MEET A THRESHOLD IN WHICH WE WILL QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, WE ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH F.E.M.A.

ON HOW WE WILL EXERCISE AND UTILIZE AND MAINTAIN OUR FUNDS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING AS WELL AS MISSION ASSIGNMENTS.

SO ONCE WE RECEIVE THE APPROVAL TO HAVE A FEDERAL DECLARATION FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO, WE ARE INTO THAT F.E.M.A.

STATE AGREEMENT.

IF WE NO LONGER HAVE A DECLARATION, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO HAVE THE F.E.M.A.

STATE AGREEMENT.

THE F.E.M.A.

STATE AGREEMENT BASICALLY IS THE OUTLINE ON HOW WE WILL ADMINISTER MISSION ASSIGNMENTS, FEDERAL FUNDING INTO THE STATE TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, HOW WILL WE DO ALL THAT.

SO BY ENDING THE DECLARATION, WE WOULD BE ENDING THE F.E.M.A.

STATE AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD HIGHLY LIMIT ANY ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDING COMING INTO IDAHO.

>> AND HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD IDAHO POTENTIALLY BE ON THE HOOK FOR?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT THAT IDAHO WOULD POTENTIALLY BE ON THE HOOK.

IDAHO, SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE CAN LOOK AT THE REQUESTS THAT HAVE ALREADY COME IN, AND WE HAVE AN APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 20 MILLION IN REQUESTS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PROCESSED YET.

SO THOSE REQUESTS COME FROM CITIES, COUNTIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS LOOKING FOR THE SUPPORT THAT F.E.M.A.

CAN PROVIDE THEM.

WITH THE DECLARATION ENDING, THAT CLOSES ANY STATE SUPPORT.

SO F.E.M.A.

COULD AGREE TO GO AHEAD AND PAY THOSE PRIOR TO THE DISASTER, SINCE THEY APPLIED, PRIOR TO THE DECLARATION, HOWEVER THOSE COMMUNITIES WILL NOW BE ON THE HOOK FOR THE ENTIRE SHARE.

THE NONFEDERAL SHARE., OF THE AGREEMENT.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT WILL BE PASSED DOWN TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO PICK UP THAT TAB.

>> SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT'S COMING IN, IT'S NOT JUST A STATEWIDE IMPACT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE A CONCERN, AND I HOPE MOST IDAHOANS WOULD HAVE A CONCERN THAT OUR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE REQUESTS THAT WE'VE SEEN THAT INCLUDES THE USE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, THAT INCLUDES THE DISTRIBUTION OF VENTILATORS ACROSS THE STATE, THE DISTRIBUTION OF STAFFING AND SUPPORT THAT HAS COME FROM THE FEDERAL SIDE TO ASSIST IDAHOANS.

WHEN WE START TO LOOK AT CLOSING THE DISASTER, AND TAKING THE DISASTER AUTHORITY AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR, OUR OFFICE WILL SHUT DOWN THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER BECAUSE WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO STAND IT UP.

WE WILL CLOSE OUT THE EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF TESTING KITS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES BEING REQUESTED, P.P.E.

ACROSS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, HOSPITALS, THAT CONTINUOUSLY ASK FOR THOSE RESOURCES, WOULD NO LONGER BE DONE FROM OUR OFFICE.

I'M NOT SAYING THEY CAN'T BE DONE SOMEWHERE ELSE OR SOMEHOW.

BUT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 300 PLUS DAYS.

AND THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITIES THAT AS A LAST RESORT COME TO US AND ASK FOR IT BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY CHALLENGED WITH RECEIVING THOSE TYPE OF RESOURCES, WE'RE NOT, WOULD NOT HAVE ANYPLACE YET TO GO.

>> ALL RIGHT, DIRECTOR RICHY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WHILE LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR DUKE IT OUT OVER EMERGENCY FUNDING, THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON VACCINE ROLLOUT.

AUDREY DUTTON OF THE IDAHO STATESMAN HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY AND JOINS US TO DISCUSS THE LATEST.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AUDREY.

YOU COVERED THE CVAC COMMITTEE ON FRIDAY.

HOW IS IDAHO DOING ON GETTING SHOTS INTO ARMS?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A SLOW ROLLOUT, DEPENDING HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

WE'RE CURRENTLY AT ABOUT 82,500 DOSES ADMINISTERED, AND OF THOSE DOSES ABOUT 13,700 PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED BOTH DOSES.

SO THEY'RE FULLY VACCINATED AT THIS POINT.

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> WELL, THERE'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF INCONSISTENCY AND QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT'S BEING CARRIED OUT.

SO THE STATE HAS MUCH MORE SUPPLY THAN THAT, SO A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY DO WE HAVE 155,000 DOSES AND WE'VE ONLY ADMINISTERED 82,000.

>> AND THAT BOTTLENECK ISN'T UNIQUE TO IDAHO.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT DISTRIBUTION MAPS AND UPDATES FOR ALL 50 STATES, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEFT THAT DISTRIBUTION UP TO THE STATES.

DO WE KNOW HOW IDAHO IS DOING COMPARED TO EVERYONE ELSE?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS WHAT METRICS YOU LOOK AT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE C.D.C.

'S VACCINE DATA, WE RANK SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MIDDLE OF THE NATION FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED TO BOTTOM FOR HOW MANY DOSES OF THOSE WE HAVE, HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

I'M NOT SURE HOW ACCURATE IT IS TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS FROM THOSE DATA POINTS, THOUGH.

OUR EXPERIENCE DURING THIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN THAT DIFFERENT STATES REPORT THINGS SO DIFFERENTLY, AND THERE'S DATA LAG AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO TAKE THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

>> AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DISTRIBUTION WITHIN OUR OWN STATE, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY EVEN >> RIGHT.

AND THAT CAME UP TODAY IN THE MEETING, TOO.

ONE BOARD MEMBER OR COMMITTEE MEMBER RATHER BROUGHT UP THAT IN SOME REGIONS OF THE STATE, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE GETTING VACCINATED.

ONE PERSON BROUGHT UP THAT IN SOME PLACES UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS ARE GETTING VACCINATED JUST BY WORKING REMOTELY, AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

SO IT'S BEEN PRETTY TRICKY AS THEY TRY, AS THE COMMUNITY TRIES TO JUGGLE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES, HOW TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, AND OF COURSE HOW THE ISSUE OF THE VACCINE COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIRECTLY TO PROVIDERS, FROM MANUFACTURERS DIRECTLY TO PROVIDERS, BASED ON ALLOCATIONS THAT WE REQUEST, IT'S REALLY KIND OF HANDLED ON THE GROUND BY THE HEALTH DISTRICTS THEMSELVES.

SO THEY'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES THEY'RE GETTING, BUT MEDICAL PROVIDERS ARE HAVING TO MAKE JUDGMENT CALLS ON THE FLY, DO YOU FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY, YOU KNOW, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

>> AND ULTIMATELY IT DOES COME DOWN TO THE PROVIDER, CORRECT, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO WASTE SHOTS IF THE PEOPLE WHO FIT NEATLY INTO THE FIRST AND SECOND CATEGORIES AREN'T NECESSARILY LINING UP AT THE DOOR AT THAT GIVEN TIME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

FROM WHAT I'M HEARING THEY'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF STAYING CLOSE TO THE GUIDELINES.

IF THEY DO HAVE AN EXTRA DOSE OR SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T SHOW, THEY TRY TO FOLLOW THE ROLLOUT PLAN FOR, OKAY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS GETS TO THE NEXT PERSON WHO IS IN LINE.

BUT CERTAINLY SHOTS IN ARMS ARE, PEOPLE EVACUATE -- VACCINATED.

IF IT'S GOING TO WASTE, GIVE IT TO SOMEONE.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT THE VACCINE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FRANK -- TANGLING WITH, HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO IS BEST TO RECEIVE IT NEXT.

AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE EQUITY IN THAT AND FAIRNESS, AND YOU'RE TRYING TO CONTROL TRANSMISSION AND YOU'RE TRYING TO SUSTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL THOSE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES THEY'RE TRYING TO JUGGLE.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

MEANWHILE, INFECTIONS ARE GOING DOWN IN IDAHO, BUT THEY'RE STILL HIGHER THAN WE WANT THEM TO BE.

AND OTHERS ARE STILL DEAL WITH LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE INFECTIONS THEY GOT MONTHS AGO.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'RE WRITING ABOUT FOR THE STATESMAN.

>> YES.

A STORY IN SUNDAY'S PAPER GOING INTO WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR SOME IDAHOANS FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE TO BE DEALING WITH WHAT IS CALLED LONG COVID OR LONG HAULER SYNDROME.

THEY TOLD ME ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS THEY'VE HAD.

SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD ISSUES FOR MONTHS NOW, ARE SEEING CARDIOLOGISTS.

AND THEY'RE RELATIVELY YOUNG PEOPLE, 30'S, 40'S, 50'S.

AND THEY REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE NUMBERS FOR SURVIVED AND WE HAVE NUMBERS FOR DIED.

WE DO NOT HAVE NUMBERS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ONGOING HEALTH PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AUDREY DUTTON OF THE IDAHO STATESMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU HERE NEXT FRIDAY.

>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO, BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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