Gianforte sees paths forward in virus treatment, business re-openings

Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte said he is “betting on American ingenuity” to find solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual discussion with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Gianforte – who is currently running for the Republican nomination for governor – said as of his last count, there are 243 vaccines and therapeutics in clinical trials in the United States. “I’m encouraged by progress we’re making on vaccines and treatments,” he said, adding he wants people to “trust the science.”

He said health-care workers in Montana currently have enough personal protective equipment to perform their tasks, but he still does not think there is adequate supply. “The cabinet isn’t as stocked as we want it to be,” Gianforte said.

The congressman said the “steps created to protect public health have created an economic crisis,” and added he wants to make sure all types of small businesses are open again as soon as possible.

“I’d like to see us open back up in weeks” rather than months, Gianforte said. He said Montana is in a better position to ease restrictions than areas like New York that have been most impacted by COVID-19.

“We’re gonna be in good shape for small businesses to open back up” and return to “some form of normalcy,” Gianforte assured the Chamber.

Gianforte said President Trump has taken the approach to give authority to states, despite controversial statements from Monday where the president said he had “total” authority to govern when states would ease coronavirus restrictions.

Gianforte praised the federal government’s steps to alleviate the economic effects of the crisis, especially the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. He noted how quickly the government has processed stimulus payments and small-business loans set up by the Act.

“Usually fast and government don’t go together … but we’ve been moving remarkably quickly,” he said, adding “when the government shuts businesses down it has an obligation to help open them back up.”

Gianforte said it is important for the local community that Glacier National Park is reopened as soon as possible. But he said there is still a need to be cautious, as one of the original concerns is visitors arriving from “hot spots” and putting local communities at risk.

In fact, it was communities such as Gardiner, Montana, that initially requested the closure of Yellowstone National Park, Gianforte said.

The congressman told the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce if there is a “silver lining” in the pandemic, it is that workers realizing they can perform their jobs from home could return to Montana and help revitalize struggling small towns.

“All the Montanans living in concrete jungles in Denver, Portland, Seattle … they don’t have to go to work, they can return and bring their jobs with them,” Gianforte said. But, he added, this is a big reason why rural Montana needs to improve its broadband capabilities.

When asked about concerns over fraudulent schemes as a result of COVID-19, Gianforte said these scams typically target the elderly and that no one should ever give important numbers out online or over the phone.

“The federal government is not going to be sending you offers [for you] to get money in your email,” Gianforte said.

The congressman signed off by telling the Chamber he does not want the crisis to become “a method to take away people’s individual liberty.”

“We don’t want to drag along a bunch of restrictions after the crisis,” Gianforte said.

Reporter Colin Gaiser may be reached at cgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.