Barrasso Defends Wyoming’s Lack of Stay-At-Home Order

"People are spread out in Wyoming. We have been social distancing the entire time 130 years that weve been a state," Barrasso said.

AW
Annaliese Wiederspahn

April 06, 20202 min read

Barrasso fox

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said Monday that Wyoming doesn’t need a formal stay-at-home order in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic because people in Wyoming have been social distancing for 130 years.

Barrasso, during an appearance on FOX News, was asked about Wyoming being one of nine states that has yet to mandate a stay-at-home edict despite President Trump’s senior medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci calling on states to do so.

“People are spread out in Wyoming. We only have about five people per square mile.  We have been social distancing the entire time 130 years that we’ve been a state,” Barrasso said.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon during a press conference on Friday forcefully defended his decision not to issue a stay-at-home order.

“Are you waiting for ‘Mother may I?'” the governor asked. “Or are you taking care of yourself and practicing the common sense we expect?” 

Barrasso said Gov Gordon has “struck the right balance” with existing orders the people of Wyoming are following those mandates.

“People are staying at home in Wyoming,” he said. “So it’s being done already.”

“We’re going to continue to follow all of the recommendations that are there. People are really staying home,” he said.

On Friday, the Rock Springs Police Department expressed frustration with individuals failing to heed Gordon’s recommendations to practice social distancing and stay home.

“The Rock Springs Police Department continues to observe that citizens are breaking the governor’s orders to social distance and stay home,” the post reads. “It is apparent many have not taken the COVID-19 situation as seriously as it really is.”

Share this article

Authors

AW

Annaliese Wiederspahn

State Political Reporter