As the state of Wyoming and the nation continue to battle the outbreak of COVID-19, Duke & Dahl asked radio listeners during the Weekday Wakeup on Swift 98 & The Spur what grade they would give Gov. Mark Gordon and the state in how they have responded to the virus.

Gov. Gordon has been reluctant to issue a stay at home order as most other states in the nation have.  In fact, as of Tuesday, April 14, Wyoming was just one of seven states in the nation that have not issued such an order.  That doesn’t mean there has not been pressure both from within and outside the state to do so.  Gordon has issued a handful of orders closing schools and specific businesses such as theaters, child care and salons while limiting other’s like restaurants to curbside pickup or delivery only.  In addition, those traveling to Wyoming are asked to self quarantine for 14 days.

As of April 13, Wyoming Public Health reported 275 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state with 140 of those cased listed as recovered.  In addition, there were 98 probable cases and 1 death related to COVID-19 symptoms.

Nationwide the growth rate of COVID-19 appears to be slowing, with total confirmed cases sitting at roughly 590,000 as of the morning of April 14.  Nearly 1/3 of those cases are in New York.

How would you grade Gov. Gordon’s response to COVID-19? Below are the listener’s responses.  Feel free to leave your opinions in the comments section.

“B plus”

“I applaud the governor on being his own self, making his own calls and not bowing to pressure. I give him an A. We are not like the heavily populated areas.”

“I think the governor has done a great job . But it may be time to open up a few businesses. We should have learned by now. To care for ourselves & be more cautious.  Our state has been an example to other states & we all need to be responsible.”

“F minus, this government, statistic, socialistic power grab of civil liberties is unbecoming of the state of Wyoming. We’ve shut down a lot of our free society for one death. How easily we gave it up and the governor fell right in line. We should have let this menace pass through us so we don’t have to shut down in the next two or three waves. Capitalism with its invention and entrepreneurial spirit has not been allowed to work. F – for sure!”

“B+ he has been cautious”

“I give the governor an A. We don’t need a stay at home order. We need to open more businesses. However, I am surprised at how many employees in local businesses are not wearing masks.”

“A”

“One unnecessary death is cause for alarm! While I think the shutdown is annoying and it surely causes hardship, it is probably a good thing I give him a B+.”