HELENA — Governor Steve Bullock held a tele-town hall on Monday to address COVID-19 concerns of the public directly.
The governor took questions from teachers, healthcare workers, ranchers, retail employees, and more.
Some recurring topics people were concerned about were economic support, help for small business and LLCs, COVID testing, PPE needs and the safety of Montanans who are most at-risk of serious illness from the disease.
Many also just wanted to know when restrictions were going to be lifted and when things could start opening up again. Bullock said the last thing he wants is Montana to become a hot spot like other states.
"I’d love to be able to open things up, just like every Montanan, as soon as we safely can. But it’s also those actions we’ve been taking by the social distancing by spending more time at home that I think really is helping us flatten this curve and not getting the rates of infection that we could," Gov. Bullock said.
He ended the town hall by thanking Montanans for all the sacrifices they've made to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Bullock, Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, Adjutant General Matthew Quinn, Department of Public Health and Human Services Director, Sheila Hogan, State Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Greg Holzman, Department of Labor & Industry Director, Brenda Nordlund and Department of Commerce Director Tara Rice took part in the event.
Listen to the full tele-town hall below.