Gov.-elect Gianforte says COVID trends ‘alarming,’ pandemic response will be 1st priority. What did he say 3 months ago?

He did say that responding to the coronavirus pandemic, which led to the deaths of 727 people in the state by Friday — will be his first priority.

Asked whether he would rescind a statewide mask mandate and other public health orders such as limits on bar and restaurant capacity, Gianforte said he will wait to see recommendations from a task force he’s formed to help guide his response before making a decision.

“I do think the key principles in the policy that we’ll adopt on Jan. 4 has got to focus on keeping the most vulnerable safe,” he said. “This is a serious health crisis. But we also have to get our economy going again. We’re going to have to balance those two things.”

He also said the trendlines of the COVID-19 pandemic — which has infected more than 66,000 Montanans since March, with 1,254 new cases confirmed by the state on Friday — are “alarming.” He encouraged all Montanas to wear a mask, and said he will do so when he’s at the Capitol.

“When I’m in the Capitol, I’m going to be wearing a mask,” Gianforte said. “I encourage other people to do that as well. I think it shows respect and concern.”

By Chris Aadland/Montana Free Press

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