Governor Sununu To Out of State Tourists, “Please, Stay Home This Summer!”
In an interview with Chris Ryan, Governor Sununu answered numerous questions about how the state is dealing with the COVID-19 Virus. Chris Sununu described the state’s efforts to obtain PPE-Personal Protection Equipment and to increase testing capacity, his lawsuit with the legislature over stimulus spending, and what state restrictions which will be in place this summer.
The Governor was asked about the state’s ability to get needed supplies and an increased number of testing kits. The good news for New Hampshire is that we have a lower number of COVID cases than other areas of the country. Unfortunately, FEMA-Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is quarterbacking the national response to the pandemic, is presently more focused on hotspots like Detroit and New York. States like New Hampshire are pretty much on their own. When he was asked about how he was going to get needed testing supplies, Governor Sununu responded, “The strategy is pretty simple. Scour the earth for anything you can find!” There are several difficulties in acquiring testing kits. You need kits that are FDA approved, and you are competing with lots of other states.
The Governor was asked about the lawsuit which was brought by the state legislature to have oversight of $1.25 billion in federal stimulus funding. The case is pending a ruling by Superior Court Judge Anderson as to whether the four Democratic legislators have standing. Governor Sununu believes that the people of New Hampshire need the relief which this money was intended to provide. Therefore, he stated, unequivocally, that he isn’t going to play their (the legislature’s) political games. The Republican Governor intends to go forward spending the money from the CARES Act—Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
In the last part of the interview, Governor Sununu discussed what decisions might be made as we move toward May, June, and the summer months. He predicts that this summer will be rather quiet. He hopes that out of state visitors will not be coming to the Granite State. Opening Hampton Beach or Canobie Park could cause serious health problems. People would be crowded together. Also these venues would draw people from the Boston area which is a hot spot for the virus.
For the same reason, Governor Sununu hopes that New Hampshire residents from areas with a high number of COVID cases, like Hillsborough and Rockingham won’t be visiting the White Mountains or Hampton Beach.
The challenge is to find ways for things to be open, but the threat of spreading the virus is somewhat controlled. For instance, the Governor is considering maintaining the stay at home rule for citizens who are sixty years old and up and allowing the younger population to have more flexibility. Governor Sununu has decided to close schools in New Hampshire until the end of the year. However, there are many decisions which will be made within the next week, such as: summer school, camps, and changes to the stay at home rules.
In conclusion, the Governor recognized that the last six weeks have been difficult, but he asked for the people of New Hampshire to continue being disciplined and patient.
