President Donald Trump’s top medical advisor on Friday thanked Gov. Mark Gordon for his efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Speaking during Trump’s daily coronavirus press briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he had spoken with Gordon and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday and came away impressed with their efforts.
“I just want to give a shout-out to them because they are doing an extraordinary job,” Fauci said.
“They are really committed to making sure that they don’t get into the situation where they will have spikes in their states,” he said.
Fauci said Gordon and other governors from smaller states don’t get national attention because the focus is in states where the pandemic is more deadly.
“I really want to salute these governors,” he said. “To hear what they’re doing and the commitment that they are putting into making sure that they don’t have the situations we have in other areas, that’s very important.”
Gordon has resisted imposing a statewide “stay-at-home” order, instead issuing public health orders to close schools, businesses where more than 10 people are likely to gather and businesses that provide personal services, such as hair salons. Another order prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people.
Gordon’s office, in an emailed statement, said he appreciated Fauci’s support.
“Dr. Fauci … recognized on the phone call that while Wyoming’s approach is different than more densely populated states, he believes we are doing a good job in slowing the spread of the illness,” the statement said.
The statement also expressed Gordon’s belief that, at this point, the measures put in place across the state are sufficent to combat the virus.
“He will continue to monitor the situation and is open to implementing additional measures if our health officials determine it is warranted,” it said.
