"For while we have our eyes on the future history has its eyes on us" --Amanda Gorman
BALANCE OF POWER
As foreshadowed during the 2020 Extraordinary Session, the legislature is focused on the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. This concern arises in the context of the covid-19 pandemic and the Governor's responses to it. However, it is important that we carefully consider not just the short-term politics of today's crisis, but the long-term consequences of how power is allocated in Idaho.
If we aren't thoughtful about avoiding political posturing and closely looking at consequences, Idaho could lose all kinds of resources that are helping with health care during the pandemic and are critical to the vaccine roll-out. Governor Little has emphasized this in a message to the legislature and the public.
Emergency declarations are a crucial part of our response to a variety of events, including droughts and wild fires. These events and recovery from them can last months or years. Aid goes to many sectors, depending on the disaster and its impacts--ranching, agriculture and local governments can all be beneficiaries. Money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is often ongoing because it continues as long as the need continues. If an emergency declaration is lifted prematurely due to an arbitrary cut-off date, the aid ends before the need does.
As the legislature considers many bills related to these issues, we must sort through how we can help now with the economy and getting people back to work, without irreparably damaging our efforts to help people survive the pandemic or our ability to respond to future disasters.
The following bills may come before the Senate State Affairs committee soon:
S1001 redefines disaster.
S1002 attempts to keep federal emergency funds being used to respond to the pandemic, while allowing an end to an emergency declaration.
S1003 would reduce the Governor's authority during a state of extreme "peril' and limits such a declaration to human-caused conditions. It also states that the Governor cannot restrict Idahoans' right to work and would limit such a declaration to 30 days unless the legislature extends it.
Additionally:
SCR101 will be considered on the Senate Floor soon. This resolution would terminate the Governor's COVID-19 emergency orders, while purportedly maintaining those declarations necessary to keep federal funding. All FEMA emergency funding stops without the proclamation declaring an emergency according to General Richy, the Director of Idaho Office of Emergency Management.
The House has been considering similar bills. I will be carefully reviewing each bill that comes before me for both how it would effect the State now and in the future.
COVID-19 VACCINES
The rapid development of safe and effective covid-19 vaccines continues to expand, but it means we are now facing the challenge of getting those vaccines into arms. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is holding weekly briefings on this. Get Immunized Idaho has put together information on the importance of getting vaccinated.
On the supply side, the federal government lets Idaho know how much vaccine is available for our state each week. Idaho orders all that is available for the state. We have received around 163,000 doses (that is first and second doses) in the State. Of those, the State has documentation that 73,209 (first and second doses) have been put in people's arms. Of the remaining doses, some have been administered by pharmacies, but not formally reported due to some technical issues, while the rest have been scheduled.
Idaho has a Coronavirus Vaccine Advisory Committee (CVAC) which makes recommendations on how to prioritize our limited supply. Their meetings are available to the public and past meetings are recorded and available at that page.
Currently priority is determined in groups and the State has established an expected timeline. To summarize, group one is healthcare workers and long term care workers and residents, which started on December 14th. Group two has front line essential workers and those age 65+. Starting on January 12th, first responders, pre-k through 12 teachers & staff, daycare workers, and correctional facility staff started getting vaccinated. Starting in early February, it will open up to those 65+. Late in February or early March, depending on vaccine supply, the State will open up the last bunch of frontline essential workers and you can find the list of those at the link in this paragraph.
Right now, those eligible to receive vaccines are connecting to providers through their employers. As the State moves to the 65+ group, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Public Health Districts will be providing information on who to contact to schedule an appointment or get on a waiting list. The Director of Health and Welfare anticipates that guidance will come out before February 1.
In the meantime, if your health care provider is part of St. Luke's, they have set up a webpage with information and instructions on how to make appointments through their myChart system as the vaccine becomes available. Public Health Districts have very few vaccine doses. If someone misses or cancels an appointment sometimes a dose remains in a vial. You can call all vaccine providers to be put on a waitlist, but be prepared to act quickly with last minute calls from a provider.
