"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." --Winston Churchill
DEMOGRAPHICS
As we move forward with policy, we need to take into account the demographic lay of the land. Based on drivers licenses surrendered when moving into Idaho, the largest net gain of people moving to Idaho in 2020 did so from California, Utah, and Washington, with California providing the largest number.
ELECTIONS
This week the Senate State Affairs Committee heard a presentation from Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane and Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck on the 2020 elections. Despite many challenges, Idaho's elections were very successful.
Presidential election years always see higher turnout and this Presidential election year saw our highest turnout since 1980 with an 81% statewide turnout. This high turnout came in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in absentee voting being higher than in-person voting for the first time in Idaho.
Other pandemic-related differences included a covid positive site in Ada County, where people with Covid-19 could vote without risking the health of poll workers or other voters; record early voting; and 82 state employees trained and prepared to act as emergency replacements for poll workers who contracted Covid-19.
The legislature is considering several election-related bills. It is worth noting, as we consider opportunities for improvement and work through those bills, that Idaho rated among the very best of the states on election integrity in the 2020 elections.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Statewide Covid-19 cases and deaths have trended downward recently. You can find detailed information on covid-19 numbers on the Idaho Novel Coronavirus website.
Governor Little announced on Tuesday that, in light of these trends, he has moved the State from Stage 2 to Stage 3. The Governor made this move even though the previously established criteria for lower ICU usage had not been met. The Governor has faced significant pushback from the legislature over his emergency declarations and health orders.
Review the new statewide Stage 3 Stay Healthy Guidelines. Please note that local restrictions issued by public health districts or cities may still be in place.
At the same time as Idaho is easing its statewide stay healthy order, we are among the worst two states in the nation (the other is Missouri) in getting vaccines administered, with under five percent of the population vaccinated.
Idaho has been receiving only 21,000 doses per week, which are shipped to approximately 350 Idaho enrolled providers. We are receiving only 30 percent of what we need and are the third lowest in receiving vaccine doses in the nation. The Biden Administration is bumping us up to 25,000 doses per week and this increase is eminent. However, this still leaves us with no path forward to ending the pandemic soon. It remains important that we all follow public health advice to protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors in the meantime.
You can find more information on vaccine availability on the South Central Public Health District, including a form to sign up for a wait list for a vaccination through the district and a list of other providers.
