Federal guidance to prevent coronavirus spread for Idahoans and how NIC plans to move forward

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today that Idaho is adopting the latest guidance from the White House and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Idaho is currently reporting nine confirmed cases of coronavirus. Counties with confirmed cases include Ada, Blaine, Madison and Teton. Public health officials said there is no confirmation that community spread is occurring in the state at this time. Community spread occurs when people contract the virus from an unknown source in their community.

Through the end of March, Idahoans are encouraged to:

• Do not visit nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance, but still to find ways to connect with loved ones in these facilities, such as phone, text, Facetime, and others
• Avoid discretionary travel
• Avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people
• Continue to practice good hygiene
• Work from home whenever possible – UNLESS you work in a critical infrastructure industry, such as healthcare, medicine and food supply
• Take advantage of the many drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options for food. Businesses are stepping up to make these options even more available than before, in order to serve customers and keep people working.

“These are recommendations to keep you and your neighbors healthy,” Governor Little said. “If you are in the category of our vulnerable population – the elderly or health-compromised – stay home and away from other people for the next few weeks. Idahoans need to be there for each other and reach out to neighbors and family members who need support.”

The Governor encourages school districts to follow the latest CDC guidelines for school closures when considering whether to close schools for a period of time.

“I am not mandating categorical closures of schools and other establishments at this time. Local leaders and operators of those facilities will make their own judgment calls about whether to do that,” Governor Little added. “Idaho is a very diverse and expansive state. A solution for one area might not be the solution for another part of the state.”

In effort to prevent community spread of the virus, NIC President Rick MacLennan has sent out an email to all students concerning the school’s plan as the situation progresses.  He said that the school is currently in Phase II – Limited Operations, but is working towards engaging Phase III – Restricted Operations.  Phase III, as described in the email, means that the school will continue operations with limited on-campus presence. 

“I think all classes and labs should be online,” said NIC student Irie Wright.  “It’s a better safety precaution.  Quarantine!  Safest option!” 

President MacLennan sympathized with the students and faculty, saying he knows how scary this situation can be. 

“I am, as all of you are, experiencing this unprecedented event through several lenses,” President MacLennan said. “As a leader and colleague, as a husband and father, as a friend and neighbor, and as a learner and consumer of information. And I know many of you, or a family member or friend, have the added lens of qualifying as an ‘at risk’ individual.  Over the past few weeks, each of these lenses has brought me moments of incredible anxiety, and even fear.  I begin this message to you with these thoughts to let you know that the decisions I am making are being done so with full appreciation of how many of you are likely feeling as well.” 

More information about how the school plans to move forward as the situation progresses, visit nic.edu/coronavirus.

The official source of information and updates on coronavirus in Idaho is https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/.

This infographic has been released by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) as general guidelines to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.