By BECKY BOHRER
The Associated Press
JUNEAU (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state will work with communities, industry leaders and others as it makes decisions on how to proceed in reopening sectors of the economy impacted by the coronavirus.
Dunleavy said key to this will be monitoring case numbers. As of Tuesday, Alaska had reported 285 total cases of COVID-19, and nine deaths related to the coronavirus.
The health of Alaskans will be a top consideration, Dunleavy said, adding he doesn’t “want anyone to get the wrong idea that we’re going to put the economy ahead of the health of Alaskans. That’s not the case at all.”
President Donald Trump, in a tweet Monday, suggested decisions on reopening states was up to him, not governors.
Dunleavy told reporters Monday evening he believed Trump was speaking about the national economy. The Republican said governors made decisions rolling back activities in their respective states aimed at limiting the virus’ spread. Dunleavy also said states are in different stages in their rollbacks and mandates and have their own specific considerations.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
