Although efficient vaccines have been extensively accessible all through the nation for many of final yr, the virus continues to disrupt society — significantly with the emergence of the Omicron variant in current months.
The 5 governors — three Democrats and two Republicans — have every taken totally different approaches, and every acknowledged the evolving steadiness of weighing accessible choices with what constituents and elected officers will settle for.
Louisiana’s John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, defended his refusal to institute a statewide masks mandate and famous that localities had been allowed to impose their very own guidelines. Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox likewise stood by his resolution this month to exempt state services from native masks necessities whilst case numbers spike.
Cox mentioned he’s lengthy been a proponent of high-quality masks, however mentioned mandates haven’t confirmed adequate to curb case surges elsewhere and the main focus ought to as a substitute be on different instruments.
“Everybody will get their flip within the high 10 with regards to Omicron,” Cox mentioned.
Cox mentioned hospitalizations is a extra crucial metric for policymakers and well being officers to carefully monitor than uncooked case numbers. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, additionally a Republican, made an analogous level, noting that not all at-home exams are reported to the federal government — even when the outcomes are constructive — amongst different issues.
Colleges are in a delicate place
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker mentioned it’s “vitally vital” to maintain colleges open safely via public security measures reminiscent of masking, testing and vaccinations.
“We all know we will maintain our colleges open,” mentioned Pritzker, a Democrat whose largest college district — Chicago — just lately confronted a disaster over this very problem.
Sununu mentioned the pandemic’s disruption to varsities, and society extra usually, has weighed closely on youngsters’s academic growth and well-being.
“The most important problem with children is psychological well being,” the GOP governor mentioned.
Local weather issues an elevated emphasis
Democratic Hawaii Gov. David Ige mentioned his state has been on the “forefront” of local weather change and resiliency points, significantly given the archipelago’s “distinctive” scenario in the course of the Pacific.
He touted his state’s dedication to transition completely to renewable vitality and set up a fee tasked with learning adaptation methods. Ige mentioned that if motion just isn’t taken within the coming years, it could necessitate placing much more drastic actions on the desk.
Cox mentioned his state, like different elements of the West, have been wrestling with extreme droughts and water shortages.
The Utah governor mentioned he believes it will likely be vital to attempt to fight the issue alongside a number of fronts — together with efforts to make sure locations are “conserving water and storing water for future generations.”
Cox mentioned such preparations are significantly wanted in fast-growing elements of the area, in order to fulfill that demand whereas not stifling financial growth.
Washington just isn’t a draw
Late final yr Sununu spurned a concerted marketing campaign from nationwide Republicans to run for the Senate and as a substitute opted to hunt one other time period within the Harmony governor’s mansion. However he did make an enchantment to term-limited GOP Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who faces related strain to mount a Senate bid, to contemplate the concept and mentioned the Senate could be higher general if it had extra former governors in its ranks.
Nonetheless, not one of the governors Friday expressed curiosity in any future runs for workplace.
“No I’d not,” Louisiana’s Edwards mentioned when requested if he would run for one more place. “I’ve little interest in being in Washington, D.C., in elective workplace. … I look ahead to getting again within the personal sector.”
Pritzker, who’s up for reelection, deflected a query a couple of potential presidential marketing campaign by saying he’s “centered on being governor of Illinois.”