Malheur County health officials air concerns over Idaho's pandemic response
by Brian Morrin
Wednesday, Sep 2nd 2020Ontario, Oregon. (CBS2)
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) —
Malheur County, Oregon, it's right across the Snake River from Idaho.
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"There are more people in Malheur County every day that live in Idaho than Oregonians, so our community is very closely tied to Idaho," said Sarah Poe, director of the Malheur County Health Department.
Read MoreIdahoans work, shop and play in Malheur County which is great during typical times, but we're not in typical times.
"During a pandemic, really the things that keep us safe in Malheur County are not different than the things that keep us safe in Payette, Canyon or Washington counties in Idaho. So the difference is that we’ve seen such a different response in Idaho in the coordination of those efforts statewide and so we’re seeing a real increase in cases in Malheur County and our neighboring Idaho counties. We’re very concerned that perhaps people are not getting the same message from Idaho and Oregon and it really is the same message," Poe said.
Oregon has a statewide pandemic response plan in place. Governor Little is allowing individual health districts to set the rules for their areas.
"I know that there’s a lot of events going on in Idaho and I’m very concerned about large gatherings and people are not following those precautionary measures and this is what we need people to do. It’s what the White House recommends and the CDC recommends and it really is not debatable," Poe said.
Poe goes on to say it's important for everyone to do their part to slow the spread of coronavirus.
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"So we’re trying to get the message out to everybody in Idaho that when you do come into Malheur County, you do need to follow the guidelines that are in place across Oregon. Really they’re the same recommendations in Idaho and so while it may not be a statewide rule, it certainly is the best practice and what we all need to do to get on the other side of this," Poe said.
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