RESPONSE. LET’S LISTEN IN. >> TODAY WE ARE ANNOUNCING 19 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 FOR A TOTAL OF 5932. THREE NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR TOTAL OF 577. TWO NEW DEATHS, BOTH RELATED TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. WE HAVE ONE OUTBREAK TO CLOSE OUT TODAY, THAT IS BEDFORD NURSING AND REHAB CENTER. THERE OUTBREAK IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED, WHICH LEAVES SIX REMAINING FACILITIES ON OUTBREAK STATUS AS OF TODAY. WE HAVE NO NEW OUTBREAKS TO ADD TO OUR LIST. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE WERE DISCUSSING BEFORE AND I THINK WE HAVE SIX FACILITIES WITH RIGHTS IN THE STATE AND WE WILL KEEP PUTTING A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON THOSE FACILITIES BUT OUT OF OVER 200 FACILITIES ACROSS THE STATE, OUR HATS OFF TO ALL THE FOLKS, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WORKING IN THOSE FACILITIES MANAGING SOME OF THOSE OUTBREAKS AND GETTING US TO A POSITIVE PLACE, CONSTANTLY MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION. 19 NEW CASES TODAY AND THAT IS 19 MORE THAN WE WANT TO SEE BUT CLEARLY WE ARE ON A POSITIVE TRACK. WE SUSPECT OUR NUMBERS WILL GO UP AT SOME POINT BUT I THINK THE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DO A TERRIFIC JOB HELPING MANAGE THE COVID SPREAD WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. A FEW THINGS WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT AND THEN WE WILL OPEN FOR QUESTIONS. THE SELF-EMPLOYMENT LIVELIHOOD FUND PROGRAM, WE CALL THE SELF PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN OFFSHOOT OF THE MAIN STREET RELIEF PROGRAM. THAT WAS A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM, PUT ABOUT THREADED $30 MILLION INTO BUSINESSES -- $330 MILLION INTO BUSINESSES. WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR THOSE THAT ARE SELF-EMPLOYED TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE TO MAKE SURE THEIR BUSINESSES CAN HAVE FINANCIAL RELIEF. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT, SO THAT APPLICATION PROCESS DID BEGIN AS OF YESTERDAY. IT WILL GO UNTIL JULY 17. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE. IF YOU ARE A SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL, CAN GO TO REVENUE.NH.GOV FOR THAT APPLICATION PROCESS. WE WANTED TO MAKE IT EASY AND STREAMLINES OF BUREAUCRACY DID NOT GET FOLKS HUNG UP AND IT ALLOWS THE FUNDS TO BE RELEASED SOONER. SO FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS OR SO, PEOPLE CAN GO TO REVENUE.NH.GOV TO APPLY FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM. SPEAKING OF EMPLOYMENT, WE GOT SOME UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS THEY CAME OUT THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS. NEW HAMPSHIRE KEEPS SAYING VERY GOOD PROGRESS IN TERMS OF HOW WE FLEX OPEN OUR ECONOMY, BALANCING THE ISSUES OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. THE STATE LAST WEEK SAW 4800 NEW CLAIMS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 27, IS 11% DECLINE WEEK OVER WEEK. NEARLY 90% DECLINE SINCE THE HIGHEST PEAK WHEN THE EPIDEMIC FIRST STARTED. SO MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS. NATIONALLY, ABOUT A 1% DECLINE IN NEW CLAIMS AND WE ARE AT 11%. EVEN WHEN YOU COMPARE US TO THE REST OF NEW ENGLAND, WE ARE FAR MOVING FASTER. RHODE ISLAND AND VERMONT, 3% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY. WE ARE SEEING SOME OF THOSE LARGEST DECLINES AROUND. SO PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK TO WORK ALL STOP WE ARE DOING IS SMART. WE’RE STILL NOT SEEING AN OUTBREAK OF COVID IN THE COMMUNITY’S OR THE NUMBERS RISING. ALL OF THAT POSITIVE DATA SHOWS AS A WHOLE, NEW ENGLAND AS A WHOLE, IS REOPENING SAFELY. WE WANT TO KEEP SEEING THOSE DOWNWARD TRENDS. A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY. A LOT OF JOBS, FRANKLY, FOR FOLKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF. ANOTHER AREA WE WANT TO TOUCH BASE ON BEFORE THERE WERE QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION. FOLLOWING LAST WEEK WE TRY TO BE TRANSPARENT AND OUTLINE WHAT WE THINK THE REVENUE SITUATION FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT, FOR WHAT THE STATE IS, WE INTENSIFY JUST OVER $500 MILLION LOSS IN REVENUE THAT WE WILL SEE BETWEEN ESSENTIALLY WHEN THE COVID PANDEMIC STARTED UP THROUGH JUNE OF NEXT YEAR WHEN OUR BUDGET TRADITIONALLY WILL HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER SESSION. WE HAVE A LOT OF TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL LIVE UP TO THEIR PROMISES AND HELP THE STATE REPLENISH. BUT WE KNOW THERE WILL STILL BE TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT RISK OF THE BUSINESS TAX TRIGGERS. WE DON’T HAVE SALES TAX OR STATE TAX, BUT WE DO HAVE BUSINESS TAXES. PART OF THE LAST NEGOTIATED BUDGET WAS THE IDEA IF REVENUES DID NOT COME IN A CERTAIN POINT, BUSINESS TAXES WOULD HAVE TO GO UP. PART OF A NEGOTIATED PROCESS. THE FEAR WAS GIVEN ARE VERY SEVERE BUDGET OR REVENUE PROJECTIONS, UNFORTUNATELY THOSE TAX TRIGGERS WERE GOING TO GO INTO EFFECT. I WROTE A LETTER TO THE LEGISLATURE AND PLEADED WITH THEM TO BASICALLY CHANGE THAT RULE, CHANGE THAT LAW. THE WORST TIME TO RAISE TAXES ON ANYONE IS WHEN THEY ARE DOWN ECONOMICALLY. FAMILIES, BUSINESSES ARE HURTING ECONOMICALLY. THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATURE REJECTED THE REQUEST. THEY SAID THOSE BUSINESS TAXES WERE GOING TO BE RAISED. WE PUT OURSELVES INTO HIGH GEAR TO MANAGE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REOPEN OUR ECONOMY, INCREASE OUR REVENUES TO THE POINT WHERE THOSE BUSINESS TAX TRIGGERS WOULD NOT BE HIT. I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE AT LEAST ON A CASH BASIS, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE NOT GOING TO HIT THE BUSINESS TAX INCREASES. I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT THAT. IT WOULD JUST BE THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO. IT LOOKS LIKE WE’RE GOING TO COME UNDER THOSE TAX TRIGGERS BY ABOUT $15 MILLION. I WAS TALKING TO SOME BUSINESS RESTAURANT OWNERS AND IT LOOKS LIKE JUNE NUMBERS WILL BE PRETTY STRONG. STILL BELOW WHAT WE ANTICIPATED, BUT NOT SO FAR BELOW THESE NEW BUSINESS TAX INCREASES WOULD HAVE TO BE THROWN UPON THE CITIZENS AND THE BUSINESSES OF THIS STATE. I THINK IT IS GOOD NEWS. IT ALL HAS TO BE AUDITED. IT HAS TO BE CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED, BUT RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE, CROSS OUR FINGERS AND KNOCK ON WOOD, AND LOOKS LIKE THOSE BUSINESS TAX TRIGGERS WILL NOT BE HIT. I THINK A VERY GOOD SIGN FOR ALL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESSES. WITH THAT, WE CAN OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOVERNOR, THE LATEST, THE PRESIDENT TRUMP PROBABLY HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND, SOME OF THE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND PORTSMOUTH ARE SUGGESTING YOU IMPLEMENT A MASS REQUIREMENT AND GATHERINGS 50 OR LARGER. WHAT ARE YOUR REACTIONS? GOV. SUNUNU: WE HAVE TREATED ALL GATHERINGS IN THE STATE FROM THE TIME THE PANDEMIC AGAIN UNTIL TODAY THE SAME, WHETHER THEY WERE THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS, PROTESTS THE STATE HOUSE LAWN, POLITICAL RALLY, WHATEVER IT IS EVERYONE IS TREATED THE SAME. TO HAVE A MASS QUARTER FOR WHAT AND OF THE OTHER DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. WE REALLY -- TO HAVE A MASK ORDER FOR ONE AND OF THE OTHER DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. MASKS WILL BE HANDED OUT AT THE EVENT. WE WILL MAKE SURE HAND SANITIZER IS THERE. WE HEARD FROM THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN THEY WILL BE WEARING MASKS THEMSELVES. I SUSPECT I WILL BE THERE TO GREET THE PRESIDENT WHEN HE ARRIVES, AS I ALWAYS HAVE, AND I WILL BE WEARING MY MASK. WHETHER IT IS A MANDATE OR NOT, WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY DO THEIR BEST TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND WEAR THE MASK. THAT IS THE SAME MESSAGE WE’VE HAD SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC. >> WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS EVENT AS THIS MIGHT BRING PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE NEW ENGLAND. GOV. SUNUNU: I THINK ALL OF THE PROTESTS HAD THAT CHANCE. >> BUT DO YOU FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES? GOV. SUNUNU: IT IS A ONE-DAY EVENT. QUARANTINE IS NOT IN PLACE FOR A ONE-DAY NEW BED -- ONE-DAY EVENT. THE QUARANTINE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO STAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. I THINK THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BE AT THIS EVENT WILL BE FROM NEW ENGLAND. BUT IF YOU’RE JUST COMING IN FOR AN EVENT OR TO GO SHOPPING, THE QUARANTINE PROVISION DOES NOT APPLY. >> DOES THE COMMISSIONER OR DR. CHAN HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THE RISKS OF SUPER SPREAD FROM THIS EVENT? DR. CHAN: BIG FOR THE QUESTION. WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN VERY WORDS OF SUPER SPREADER EVENTS HAPPENING. IT DOES NOT TAKE A LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE NECESSARILY TO CAUSE A SUPER SPREADER EVENT. FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE FROM LAYER, SUPER SPREADER EVENTS REFERS TO THE POSSIBILITY A SINGLE PERSON CAN SPREAD COVID-19 TO MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS. WE NEVER HAVE A WAY OF KNOWING WHO THAT MIGHT BE OR A PERSON’S LIKELIHOOD OF SPREADING IT, WHICH IS WHY WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A RALLY OR TEST OR ANY GROUP GATHERING, PEOPLE AT THOSE EVENTS NEED TO TAKE A ROPE THE GOVERNOR JUST HIGHLIGHTED -- HAND HYGIENE, MASK WEARING, MAINTAIN A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST SIX FEET FROM OTHER PEOPLE. BECAUSE WE KNOW NOT ONLY CAN PEOPLE TRANSMIT COVID-19 WHEN THEY ARE ASYMPTOMATIC, ESTIMATED THAT ONE THIRD OF PEOPLE MAY BE ASYMPTOMATIC, BUT ALSO THE POSSIBILITY FOR SUPER SPREADERS -- PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR WHATEVER REASON WE STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SPREAD INTO MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE. >> WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE GOVERNOR CANNOT ATTEND A RALLY? DR. CHAN: I THINK THE GOVERNOR’S RECOMMENDATION HE JUST STATED APPLY TO ANY EVENT. OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE AT AN EVENT NEED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE COULD -- PRECAUTIONS, WEAR A MASK, STAY AT LEAST SIX FEET FROM OTHER PEOPLE, PRACTICE GOOD HAND HYGIENE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNOR AND ANYBODY TO TAKE THOSE STEPS, MYSELF INCLUDED. >> RE-ASKING THE QUESTION, IS CONTACT TRACING REVEALED ANY TRANSMISSION AT ALL FROM SOME OF THE GATHERINGS WE HAVE HAD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, BE THEY THE REOPEN NEW HAMPSHIRE OR BLACK LIVES MATTER? DR. CHAN: WE CONTINUED TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATION ON EACH AND EVERY PERSON DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CASES OR ANY CASES THAT HAVE -- MANY PEOPLE INFECTED WITH COVID-19 THAT HAVE COME FROM LARGE GATHERING OR LARGE EVENTS. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THE RISK IS NOT THERE, JUST THE LIMITATIONS OF HER PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATION -- OF PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATION MAY NOT HAVE LINKAGES. WE GO BACK TO THE FACT THAT ANYBODY ATTENDING ANY KIND OF GROUP EVENT, WHETHER A PROTEST OR RALLY, NEEDS TO WEAR CLOTH OR SHOULD WEAR A CLOTH FACE COVERING TO BE PRACTICING FREQUENT HANDWASHING AND MAINTAIN A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST SIX FEET FROM OTHER PEOPLE. >> HOW DOES THAT FORMER OPINION AGAINST THESE GATHERINGS? DOES IT SOLIDIFY ANY THOUGHT WITH APPROPRIATE MASKING AND HYGIENE THAT I DON’T IS A SAFE, BUT THE RISK IS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED? DR. CHAN: WHEN WE THINK ABOUT PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19, THERE’S NOT ANYONE SPECIFIC STEP OR INTERVENTION THAT WILL TOTALLY ELIMINATE THE RISK OF COVID-19, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE -- WE TRY TO INCORPORATE MULTIPLE LETTERS OF PROTECTION INTO THE GUIDANCE OUT THERE. WE DON’T JUST RELY ON TESTING, ALTHOUGH TESTING IS A COMPONENT OF TRYING TO IDENTIFY INFECTION EARLY PREVENT IT FROM BEING TRANSMITTED TO OTHER PEOPLE. WE DON’T JUST RELY ON MASKS OR PEOPLE KEEPING A SAFE DISTANCE OF SIX FEET. WE TRY TO HAVE MULTIPLE MEASURES IN PLACE. I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU SEE TALKED ABOUT HERE FREQUENTLY, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE RALLY, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY BUSINESS REOPENING AS HAVING MULTIPLE LETTERS OF PROTECTION IN PLACE. AND WITH THOSE LETTERS PROTECTION, THE RISK SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED. THAT INCLUDES LIMITING GROUP SIZES, KEEP PHYSICAL SOCIAL DISTANCE, TRYING TO HOLD EVENTS OUTDOORS WHEN POSSIBLE BECAUSE A BETTER VENTILATION. THOSE ARE ALL STEPS IMPORTANT TO TAKE TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19. >> WILL YOU BE WORKING WITH THE TRUMP STAFF AS YOU HAVE FOR THE NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY EVENT AND OTHER BIG EVENTS TO COORDINATE A SAFE -- PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY? DR. CHAN: I WILL LET THE GOVERNOR SPEAK MORE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE TRUMP STAFF. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE FEDERAL GROUP THAT IS COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. BUT AS ALWAYS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH PARTNERS TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THE CITY AND GROUPS LOCALLY TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS EVENT WILL BE HAVING A LOT OF AIR CIRCULATION, BUT IT WILL BE AFTER SUNDOWN. DOESN’T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WITH THE SUN BEING UP OR DOWN -- DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WITH US, UP OR DOWN? DR. CHAN: IT IS NOT CLEAR HOSTING AN EVENT A DAY VERSUS THE NIGHT MAY IMPACT THE TRANSMISSION OF COVID. I THINK THE MORE IMPORTANT THING IS TO TRY TO HAVE LARGE GATHERINGS, LARGE EVENTS OUTDOORS WHEN POSSIBLE. THE PRIMARY REASON IS BECAUSE OF INCREASED OR IMPROVED VENTILATION, WHICH WE BELIEVE LOWERS THE RISK OF COVID-19 TRANSMISSION. THANKS. GOV. SUNUNU: THANK YOU. HI. >> THERE’S A LOT OF PRECAUTIONS AND PROTECTIONS, THINGS LIKE MASKS, GLOVES, PLASTIC BAGS, WHITES, ETC. THIS IS A TWO-PART QUESTION. THE FIRST BEING WE DO ANYTHING TO BOTH ASSESS AND ADDRESS AND BY MENTAL IMPACT BASED ON COVID-RELATED WASTE? THE SECOND, ALREADY PREPARED TO ALLOW THE STATE TO USE REASONABLE BACKSIDE IN THE GROCERY STORES? GOV. SUNUNU: INTERESTING. FROM A TRASH PERSPECTIVE, I GUESS THERE ARE TWO AREAS OF WASTE I CAN THINK WITH COVID. ONE IS WHERE YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT MASKS OR GLOVES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. ALSO THE WASTE THAT WOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE MEDICAL WASTE IN TESTING FACILITIES AND WHATNOT. EARLY ON, I WILL DIGRESS A LITTLE, EARLY ON WE SAW COMPLAINTS OF FOLKS SAYING THERE ARE A LOT OF MASKS IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOTS. PEOPLE WERE THROWING THEM ON THE GROUND. WE DID A BIT OF A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT OVER A PERIOD OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO REMIND PEOPLE TO TAKE THE TRASH HOME AND MAKE SURE THEY’RE NOT THROWING THINGS ON THE GROUND. I DON’T THINK WE HAVE LOOKED AT IT FROM A STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE, BUT OBVIOUSLY, THERE’S A STRONG MESSAGE I THINK SHOULD BE BORNE OUT OF YOUR RUSSIAN. EVERYONE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU’RE USING MASKS OR ANYTHING DISPOSABLE IN NATURE THAT DEALS WITH WHETHER IT IS THE COVID EPIDEMIC OR ANYTHING IN LIFE, A GOOD PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REMEMBER JUST BECAUSE THERE’S A COVID EPIDEMIC GOING ON DOES NOT REMOVE OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING SMART WITH OUR TRASH AND UNDERSTANDING WE ARE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS STATE. WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY. THE REASONABLE BACKS. WE HAVE NOT MADE ANY DECISIONS IN GOING BACK ON ALLOWING THEIR ELUSIVE OLD -- REASONABLE BACKS. I AM CAUTIOUS TO MAKE ANY MORE ADJUSTMENTS TO KEEP FLEXING THINGS OPEN, WHETHER IT IS USING SOMETHING LIKE A REASONABLE BAG OR CREATING OR FLEXING BUSINESSES OPEN MORE AND MORE KNOWING THE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, KNOWING WE COULD BE IN LINE FOR ANOTHER SPIKE. I DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO GO BACKWARDS. WE MAY HAVE TO. I DON’T WANT TO, BUT WE MAY HAVE TO. I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE IN TERMS OF THE GUIDANCE WE HAVE PUT OUT, AND WE WANT TO LET THAT RIDE A LITTLE. WE HAVE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES. I’VE HEARD FROM RESTAURANTS THAT HAD THE BEST JUNE THEY HAVE EVER HAD. THAT IS GOOD TO HEAR. WE KNOW A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING BUT MANY ARE DOING WELL. I THINK WE’RE ARE IN A HOLDING PATTERN. I AM A LITTLE EXTRA CAUTIOUS ABOUT FLEXING MORE THINGS OPEN, WHETHER IT IS A REASONABLE BAG OR MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY. >> GIVEN THE EXTENT OF OPENING THAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED, IS THE RISK ANY HIGHER WITH A REASONABLE BAG THEN SAY OUR SERVER HANDING YOU FOOD AT A RESTAURANT, JUST TO COMPARE THE RISK? GOV. SUNUNU: THE RISK THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS SEEN WITH THE REASONABLE BAGS ARE GOING FROM ONE PERSON -- SOMEONE WHO IS BAGGING COME THE ACTUAL BACKER THEMSELVES, THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR HANDS IN YOUR BAG AND THEN THE NEXT PERSON IN THE NEXT PERSON AND THEN THE NEXT PERSON. IT IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS BAGGING YOUR GROCERIES TO YOU OR YOU TO THEM, I MEAN THERE IS A CONCERN, BUT ALSO A CONCERN, BUT ALSO CONCERN YOUR TRANSMITTING SOMETHING FROM SURFACE TO SURFACE TO SURFACE. COULD COME TO PEOPLE DOWN THE LINE FROM YOU. I -- MAYBE THAT PARALLELS A LITTLE IN THE RESTAURANT IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THEY’RE CHANGING THEIR GLOVES AND WHATNOT. IT IS A SURFACE CONTACT. THERE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY FOR A VIRUS TO LIVE ON A SURFACE. THAT IS THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY. WHETHER IT IS A SERVER PASSING IT TO YOU OR SOMETHING IN A GROCERY STORE, THERE IS A RISK, TO BE SURE. >> ABOUT A MONTH AGO AT THE PRESIDENT’S FIRST RALLY, WE ASKED [INDISCERNIBLE] YOU WOULD NOT ATTEND ANY RALLIES. GOV. SUNUNU: THE PRESIDENT’S FIRST RALLY? >> IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA. [INAUDIBLE] GOV. SUNUNU: MY PLAN RIGHT NOW IS TO BE THERE TO GREET THE PRESIDENT. I DON’T KNOW IF I WILL BE IN THE LARGE GATHERING AT THE RALLY. I TEND TO AVOID THOSE TYPES OF SITUATIONS AS MUCH AS I CAN. I HAVE BEEN IN A FEW LARGE GATHERINGS, BUT THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. THE PRESIDENT WILL BE HERE FOR HIS RALLY BUT AS THE GOVERNOR, I AM THERE, AND I THINK ANY GOVERNOR SHOULD BE THERE, TO GREET THE PRESIDENT AND WILL DO THAT. >> OFTEN ABOUT YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SURGES AND WHAT COULD COME. GIVEN THIS RALLY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, DO YOU THINK -- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT AND WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK IT SENDS FOR YOURSELF TO ATTEND THIS TYPE OF EVENT? YOU HAVE NOT ATTENDED OTHER PROTESTS AS FAR AS I KNOW. GOV. SUNUNU: THIS IS NOT A PROTEST. >> WHAT MESSAGE DOES IT SEND FOR YOU TO BE THERE IN A CROWD OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE? GOV. SUNUNU: I’M GOING TO GREET THE PRESIDENT AS THE GOVERNOR. I WILL NOT BE IN THE ROUND OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. I WILL NOT PUT MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROWD, IF THAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION. I HAVE TO BE -- AS THE GOVERNOR, I TRY TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. >> DO YOU THINK IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO HOLD SUCH AN EVENT? GOV. SUNUNU: I DON’T TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT, BUT HE IS FLYING IN IN TERMS OF HIS HEALTH AND SAFETY. MY SENSE IS HE IS FLYING IN, WALKING OUT OF THE STAGE, GIVING A SPEECH, FLYING OUT. HE IS NOT REALLY INTERACTING WITHIN SIX FEET OF THE CROWD OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, IF THAT IS THE QUESTION. HIS HEALTH AND SAFETY IS QUITE PARAMOUNT AS WELL. I BELIEVE LOGISTICALLY, THAT IS HOW IT IS GOING. >> CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF THE TIMELINE ON SCHOOL GUIDANCE? WHEN WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING? GOV. SUNUNU: I WAS REVIEWING THE SCHOOL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT ALL WEEKEND, LOOKING UP STRUCTURE AND JUST TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND THEN WE WILL LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE GOING FORWARD. THE TASK FORCE PUT TOGETHER WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY, IT IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE THING THEY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WITHIN THE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT. I THINK THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS TEAM DID A GOOD JOB INCORPORATING ALL THE IDEAS THAT WERE PART OF THE TASK FORCE FROM TEACHERS TO ADMINISTRATORS, PARENTS, SUPERINTENDENTS, STUDENTS AND CELLS. -- STUDENTS THEMSELVES. OUR TEAM WENT THROUGH IT. THE COMMISSIONERS’S TEAM WITH THROUGH IT. IF IT HASN’T MOVED ON ALREADY, IT IS ON DR. CHAN’S DESK. I IMAGINE HE WILL NEED A COUPLE OF DAYS TO LOOK AT IT. WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH AS ONE OF THE FINAL REVIEWERS, IF YOU WILL, TO MAKE SURE WHAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED LINES UP WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. I WILL SAY THIS WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH OF YOUR PREVIEW BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW THE FINAL DOCUMENT WILL LOOK LIKE, THE TASK OR SITE RATED THIS DOCUMENT I THINK DID A GREAT JOB CREATING SOMETHING THAT WAS PRACTICAL, SOMETHING MANAGEABLE FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATION’S WITHOUT SAYING "THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE RIGIDNESS YET TO LIVE UNDER, AND IF YOU DON’T YOU CANNOT OPERATE YOUR CLASSROOM." DOING A LOT OF CLASSROOMS MAY HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH SIX FEET, KNOWING HOW WE’RE GOING TO MANAGE MASKS AND WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE MANAGED -- MANDATORY FOR THIS POPULATION OR THAT POPULATION. HOW DO YOU MANAGE FOLKS COMING INTO THE SCHOOLS IF SOMEONE HAS TO DROP OF A CHILD. HOW YOU HANDLE BUS TRANSPORTATION, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. THEY DID A GREAT JOB PUTTING EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE KNOWING THERE HAS TO BE SOME FLEXIBILITY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL -- WHICH WE CHAMPION IN THE STATE. WE ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING FLEXIBILITY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. WE WANTED TO WORK. I AM SPEAKING FOR THEM A LITTLE, BUT I THINK THE TRUST FORCE WANTED TO ADD KNOWLEDGE -- TASK FORCE WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE WANT KIDS TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL IN A SAFE WAY. THEY ALSO WANTED TO REALLY BE MANAGEABLE AND TO WORK AND NOT HAVE IT FALL APART IN THE EARLY ONSET. HOW YOU HANDLE KIDS AT THEIR COVID-POSITIVE. THIS WAS ALL TAKEN UNDER CONSIDERATION. THE HOPE WAS TO HAVE SOMETHING OUT THIS WEEK OR EARLY NEXT WEEK. I THINK THAT IS ON TRACK. WE WILL SEE. WE’RE ARE COUNTING ON PUBLIC HEALTH. THEY ALWAYS DO A GREAT JOB TO LOOK AT THESE GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS. >> AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON THE RESULTS OF THAT? GOV. SUNUNU: THE PUBLIC COMMENT CAME IN AS PART OF THE TASK FORCE. THEY DID A SURVEY OF OVER 50,000 PEOPLE IN THE STATE JUST TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS AND TEACHERS. I THOUGHT THAT WAS A PRETTY BOLD ENDEAVOR. I THINK THEY DID A GREAT JOB. THEY TOOK THE INPUT AND INCLUDED IT AS PART OF WHAT THE TASK FORCE PUT TOGETHER. WE HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE PHONE MAYBE? >> JUSTIN, GO AHEAD. >> [INAUDIBLE] GOV. SUNUNU: ANY TIME WHETHER IT IS THE PRESIDENT OR SOMEONE ATTENDING A RALLY -- I DON’T REALLY DISCERN OTHER THAN TO SAY IF YOU CAN’T MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT PHYSICAL -- SEPARATION OF SIX FEET, SHOULD BE WEARING A MASK, YEAH. I’M NOT GOING TO MAKE A RULE FOR THE PRESIDENT OR FOR THE PUBLIC. I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD ABIDE BY THAT REQUEST THAT WE HAVE MADE TO EVERYBODY, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE HANDING OUT MASKS AT THE EVENT. THERE WILL BE HAND SANITIZER AT THE EVENT. WE ARE ENCOURAGING THE PHYSICAL DISTANCE. WE KNOW IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, BUT I’M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE LOGISTICS OF THE PRESIDENT’S ARRIVAL WILL BE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS HE WILL BE ARRIVING ON A PLANE, GOING ONTO THE STAGE FROM HIS MOTORCADE, THEN LEAVING THE EVENT. IT IS NOT A REALLY MIX AND MINGLE FOR THE PRESIDENT. I WILL WEAR A BASQUE BECAUSE I TEND TO DO THAT IN PUBLIC WHEN I CAN. >> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM HOLLY FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. >> GIVEN YOU TALKED ABOUT -- IS IT APPROPRIATE THE PRESIDENT TO HOLD THIS RALLY, NOT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE -- FROM THE HEALTH? GOV. SUNUNU: IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO HOLD A CAMPAIGN RALLY? THE PRESIDENT IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE. THERE BEEN OTHER CAMPAIGN EVENTS HELD IN THIS STATE FOR LOWER OFFICES AND NOW WE HAVE ONE FOR THE PRESIDENT. MY CAMPAIGN IS FINALLY BACK IN FULL GEAR. I WOULD NOT SAY FULL-YEAR, BUT WE ARE GETTING GOING. NO, I WOULD NOT SAY IT IS INAPPROPRIATE AS LONG AS SIMILAR TO OTHER LARGE EVENTS AND GATHERINGS -- WE ARE TREATING EVERYBODY THE SAME. EVERYBODY HAS TO PLAY BY THE SAME RULES. THE RULES ARE WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WEAR A MASK IF THEY CAN KEEP THE PHYSICAL DISTANCING OF SIX FEET. WHETHER IT IS A CAMPAIGN EVENT OR PROTEST ON THE STATE HOUSE LAWN TO REOPEN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHATEVER IT IS, WE HAVE NEVER SAID NO TO THOSE EVENT AND WILL RESULT -- WE HAVE ALWAYS HELD EVERYONE TO THE EXACT SAME STANDARD. >> NICOLE, CBS. >> THANK YOU FOR TAKE THE QUESTION, GOVERNOR. TWO QUESTIONS. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO GRANITE STATER’S WERE ABOVE THE AGE OF 65 OR OTHERWISE HEALTH-COMPROMISED? SEPARATELY, DO YOU ANTICIPATE ANY PROTEST AND WILL THERE BE ANY STATE LAW-ENFORCEMENT FORCES DEPLOYED FOR SECURITY AROUND THE RALLY? GOV. SUNUNU: NEW HAMPSHIRE MOVED TO WHAT WE CALL ARE SACRED HOME ADVISOR AS OPPOSED TO THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER. IF YOU ARE ELDERLY OVER THE AGE OF 60, YOU SHOULD STAY HOME. IF YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, IF YOU COULD BE ISOLATED, SHOULD ABSOLUTELY DO SO TO BE IN A LARGE CROWD GATHERING IS A RISK THAT INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT NEED TO TAKE, FRANKLY. IT IS NOT THE LAW, BUT IT IS A VERY SMART MOVE. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SAFE RIDE HOME ADVISOR IS ALL ABOUT, THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OLDER OR HAVE COMPROMISED IMMUNE CONDITIONS. WHAT WAS THE SECOND HALF OF THE QUESTION? >> JUST ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT. GOV. SUNUNU: AS WITH A LOT OF CAMPAIGN RALLIES, WE ANTICIPATE THERE WILL PROBABLY BE SOME SORT OF PROTEST OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I WAS ON THE PHONE TODAY WITH EVERYONE FROM STATE POLICE, NATIONAL GUARD, LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE JURISDICTION IN THE AREA. COORDINATE AND D.O.T. -- WITH EVERYBODY. A LOT OF AGENCIES COME INTO PLAY BUT ANYTIME THE PRESIDENT ARRIVES, WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A STRONG LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE OF -- PRESENCE. IF A PROTEST CAN HAPPEN IN A SAFE WAY, THAT IS FINE. WE WILL HAVE A STRONG PRESENCE THERE REGARDLESS. >> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM RYAN WITH CNN. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. TWO QUESTIONS. [INAUDIBLE] SPECIFIC REOPENING GUIDELINES WITH THE GATHERINGS SUCH AS THIS, [INAUDIBLE] GOV. SUNUNU: RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOT A LIMITATION ON LARGE PUBLIC GATHERINGS IN THE STATE. THERE IS A LIMITATION ON CAPACITY FOR SOMETHING LIKE A CONCERT. I THINK IT IS 50%. THE NASCAR RACE, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS GUIDELINES THAT ARE STRICTER THAN THAT AND THAT WAS THEIR CHOICE AND THEIR RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS SMART. THIS EVENT IS TAKING PLACE WITHIN THOSE GUIDELINES. AGAIN, THE GUIDELINES MANDATE IF YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A LARGE GATHERING -- I DON’T MEAN TO BE REPETITIVE, BUT I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT POINT. WHETHER IT WAS THE PROTEST OF LAST MONTH, THE RALLY THIS WEEK, OR ANOTHER EVEN DOWN THE ROAD, WE ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. HAVING PEOPLE MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE, ENCOURAGE THEM TO WEAR A MASK. WE’RE TREATING EVERYBODY THE SAME. WE DON’T PICK AND CHOOSE WINNERS AND LOSERS OR WHOSE VOICE IS MORE IMPORTANT. EVERYONE IS TREATED THE SAME WITH THE SAME RESPECT IN THE SAME SENSE OF SECURITY. >> MICHAEL, "NEW HAMPSHIRE JOURNAL." >> FIRST QUESTION FOR DR. CHAN, WHAT CAN NEW HAMPSHIRE LEARN FROM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH RATES OF TESTING POSITIVE INCREASING SIGNIFICANTLY, BUT THE DEATH RATE HAS STEADILY BEEN DROPPING? WHAT DOES THAT TELL US AND HOW CAN WE USE THAT FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS? GOVERNOR SUNUNU, TODAY BLACK LIVES MATTER SAYING "[INAUDIBLE] NO WELCOMING WHITE SUPREMACIST. YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS, GOVERNOR." DO YOU STILL SUPPORT THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT? DR. CHAN: I’LL TAKE THE FIRST QUESTION ABOUT THE TEST POSITIVITY RATE NATIONWIDE. YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, WE ARE SEEING THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE GOING INTO ANOTHER PEAK OR SURGE OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK. AT LAST COUNT, THERE WERE AT LEAST 30 DIFFERENT STATES THAT HAVE SEEN INCREASE INCIDENCE OF COVID-19 WITHIN THEIR STATE. IN THE LAST WEEK ON A DAILY BASIS, THERE’S BEEN AN AVERAGE OF 50,000 NEW CASES NATIONALLY OF COVID-19. 50,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEWLY BEEN INFECTED WITH COVID-19. YOU ARE RIGHT THAT AS A COUNTRY, WE ARE SEEING ANOTHER SURGE OF COVID-19. NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THE NORTHEAST IS CURRENTLY IN A RELATIVELY GOOD SPOT IN TERMS OF DECREASING INCIDENCE. WE BELIEVE LOWER LEVELS OF TRANSMISSION. BUT COVID-19 IS STILL OUT THERE AND STILL IN OUR COMMUNITIES, SO WE WANT -- WE NEED EVERYBODY TO CONTINUE TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT NEW HAMPSHIRE FROM GOING BACK INTO ANOTHER SURGE OR OUTBREAK SITUATION. THAT IS WHY YOU HEAR US TIME AND AGAIN REPEATEDLY STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL OF PEOPLE TAKING ON -- TAKING SERIOUSLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WEARING CLOTH FACE MASKS WENT IN PUBLIC PLACES, STAYING SIX FEET AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE, PRACTICING GOOD HAND HYGIENE. PEOPLE SHOULD THEY HOME IF THEY HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19, EVEN MILD TUMS. WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET TESTED. THESE ARE THE WAYS NEW HAMPSHIRE WILL PREVENT OUR STATE FROM GOING BACK INTO ANOTHER SURGE OR OUTBREAK SITUATION SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY. BUT YOU’RE RIGHT, MANY STATES ARE SEEING INCREASED CASES, INCREASED TEST RATE POSITIVITY. THE REPORTS OUT OF MANY OF THE STATES -- I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SITUATION IN EACH AND EVERY STATE, BUT THE REPORTS OUT OF A NUMBER OF THE STATES ARE THAT POTENTIALLY A YOUNGER AGE DEMOGRAPHIC IS BEING IMPACTED CURRENTLY. I THINK THERE’S A GENERAL EXPECTATION THAT THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY INCREASING NUMBERS OF DEATHS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 ONCE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION STARTS TO INCREASE IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES. WE OFTENTIMES TALK ABOUT SURVEILLANCE DATA AND DEATHS BEING A LAGGING INDICATOR, MEANING IT CAN TAKE SOME TIME, A NUMBER OF WEEKS FROM WHEN WE START TO SEE INCREASING COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION FOR THERE TO BE A REFLECTION IN THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DIE FROM COVID-19. I THINK WHAT WE HAVE OBSERVED NATIONALLY FOR LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS, FIRST OFF, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE STATE BY STATE, COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY. MY COMMENTS ARE GENERAL COMMENTS REFLECTIVE OF THE OVERALL NATIONAL SITUATION. BUT THERE CERTAINLY ARE SITUATIONS WHERE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE BEGINNING TO INCREASE. I THINK AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, LIKELY WE WILL SEE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE DYING FROM COVID-19 ALSO INCREASE. I THINK THERE ARE OVER 100 30,000 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES WHO HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 TO DATE OVER THE COURSE OF THIS OUTBREAK. WE WENT TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. THANKS. GOV. SUNUNU: AS TO THE QUESTION CONCERNING BLACK LIVES MATTER, WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT MESSAGE. WE HAVE BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING. THE IDEA THAT WHILE THEY MAY DISAGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT ON SOME OF HIS STATEMENTS AND HIS POSITION ON THINGS, THE IDEA I CAN SOMEHOW PREVENT THE PRESIDENT FROM COMING OR THAT WOULD EVEN BE APPROPRIATE IS NOT REALLY PRACTICAL. WE ARE A SWING STATE. THIS IS A CAMPAIGN. MY GUESS IS THE PRESIDENT WILL COME NOW AND PROBABLY MAKE OTHER VISITS LEADER IN THE YEAR KNOWING THIS IS A STATE TO BE WON. JOE BIDEN MAY BE HERE. MY GUESS IS THE PRESIDENT WILL BE VISITING RED AND BLUE STATES AND WE ARE A PURPLE STATE. WE VERY MUCH SUPPORT THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MESSAGE. I THINK THEY HANDLED THAT MESSAGE THEMSELVES WELL, VERY CONSTRUCTIVELY AND PRODUCTIVELY. IT OPENED A LOT OF DOORS IN THE RIGHT WAY WITH A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE TO EFFECT SOME VERY POSITIVE CHANGE FOR OUR STATE. I COMMITTED SPECIFICALLY BLACK LIVES MATTER ORGANIZATION HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. -- I COMMEND SPECIFICALLY BLACK LIVES MATTER ORGANIZATION HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. >> NEXT QUESTION, JASON. PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR. FIRST, HE RECEIVED A LETTER LAST WEEK FROM BLACK AND BROWN BUSINESS LEADERS -- NOT ENOUGH OUTREACH [INAUDIBLE] HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND? SECOND QUESTION, POLICE OFFICERS AND PPE. WE SEE EXAMPLES OF POLICE NOT WEARING MASKS. SHOULD THEY BE WEARING MASKS? FINALLY, IF WE CAN GET AN UPDATE ON THE SITUATION IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES? ARE THERE ANY NEW CASES INSIDE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. GOV. SUNUNU: I WILL TAKE THOSE BACKWARDS, THAT IS OK. THE FIRST QUESTION IS A QUICK ONE ON AN UPDATE ON COVID AND NOW IT PERTAINS TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. NO, WE DON’T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COVID CASES OR COVID CASES WITHIN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES OR OUTBREAKS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IT IS NOT A NONISSUE, WE MONITOR IT CLOSELY, BUT RIGHT NOW WE’RE FORTUNATE NOT TO BE IN A POSITION OF HAVING ANY SORT OF OUTBREAKS OR EVEN ANY REAL CASES. THE SECOND QUESTION WAS ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WEARING MASKS AND PPE. THAT IS UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. ONE OF THE REASONS WE PUT THE STIPEND IN PLACE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS WAS DOING MANY FIRST RESPONDERS WOULD HAVE TO BE POTENTIALLY IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY HAVE TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY, CANNOT GET THEIR MASK ON, HAVE TO BE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND THE MASK CAN GET IN THE WAY WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING IF THEY’RE GIVING SOMEONE CPR OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, A VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT COULD COME THERE. KNOWING THEY ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HARMS WAY. LUCKILY, WHILE WE HAVE SEEN CASES OF COVID WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS, IT IS NOT A MASSIVE SPIKE, UNCONTROLLABLE SPIKE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE MAKE SURE THOSE MEN AND WOMEN PUTTING THEMSELVES OUT THERE CAN GET TESTED QUICKLY IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE MAY BE A QUESTION. IN TERMS OF A POLICE OFFICER OR FIREFIGHTER WEARING A MASK IN A SITUATION, THEY REALLY HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE FOR THEMSELVES KNOWING THERE IS COMMUNICATION ISSUES, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. A LOT OF SITUATIONS I CAN COME. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO WEAR THEM WHEN THEY CAN. IF THEY ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND GOING TO PUT THEMSELVES OR OTHERS AT RISK. BUT THEY HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT. HE ASKED ABOUT -- I DID RECEIVE A LETTER. I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GOOD LETTER FROM A FEW DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY A COUPLE OF RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH WERE PRETTY GOOD, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE ACCESS FOR MINORITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR TO RELIEVE FUNDS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, RELIEF OPPORTUNITY AROUND THE COVID PANDEMIC AND EPIDEMIC. I TALKED NOT JUST WITH THAT LETTER BUT OTHER CONVERSATIONS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, EVERYTHING FROM LANGUAGE BARRIERS -- IF PEOPLE DON’T HAVE A LANGUAGE BARRIER WITH ENGLISH, MAYBE THAT TROUBLE MOVING TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS. HOW TO ACCESS THE FUNDS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OR INDIVIDUALS LOOKING FOR RENT RELIEF OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WE HAVE CREATED THESE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS EQUAL ACCESS TO IT. IT WAS A VERY GOOD LETTER. MY HOPE IS TO TAKE THAT LETTER, COMBINE WITH WHAT I HOPE TO RECEIVED BY THE END OF THIS WEEK -- I’M NOT SURE, BUT I KNOW THE HEALTH CARE EQUITY TASK FORCE AND PUT TOGETHER TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE DISPARITIES OF HOW COVID AFFECTS MINORITY COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONALLY, WE PUT THAT GROUP TOGETHER DASHBOARD, SIX WEEKS OR SO. DO NOT QUOTE ON THE DATE. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW TO INTEGRATE OURSELVES WITH THOSE COMMUNITIES AND THOSE CONSTITUENCIES TO MAKE SURE WE’RE PROVIDING ALL OF THE RESOURCES AND TRYING TO CLOSE THAT GAP, THOSE BARRIERS, IF YOU WILL. I THINK THAT REPORT AND THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LETTER COULD PROVIDE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY IN THE NEXT WEEK, BUT WE WILL PUT THOSE TWO TOGETHER AND SOME OF THE OTHER IDEAS THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THAT COMMUNITY AND SEE IF WE CAN CREATE SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM AND REALLY BREAK DOWN THOSE BARRIERS THAT HAVE EXISTED, NOT JUST OF THE COVID PANDEMIC, BUT EVEN PRIOR TO THAT. AND HOPEFULLY LEARN FROM IT AND CREATE A SYSTEM THAT CAN CONSTANTLY ADJUST AND INVOLVE AND MAKE SURE WE DON’T GET INTO SITUATIONS LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE. >> NEXT QUESTION, HARRISON. >> THIS IS FOR THE COMMISSIONER. ON MONDAY, THEY ANNOUNCED FOUR NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS AND YET THE CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN THE SAME. [INAUDIBLE] GIVEN THE NUMBERS OF DWINDLING HOSPITALIZATIONS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE TESTED WERE ASYMPTOMATIC, SO KIDNAPPING WHERE DEVELOPING A HERD IMMUNITY AND COULDN’T THAT BE A GOOD THING? -- SO COULDN’T THAT BE WE ARE DEVELOPING A HERD IMMUNITY AND COULDN’T THAT BE A GOOD THING? PLEASE GIVE US NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES. GOV. SUNUNU: COMMISSIONER, GO FOR IT. MS. SHIBINETTE: THANK YOU. OUR HOSPITALIZATION RATE IS RIGHT AROUND 25. THAT IS THE LOWEST ACTIVE HOSPITALIZATION RATE THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS STATE PROBABLY SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MARCH. IT REALLY IS GREAT NEWS. I DO THINK THAT AT LEAST A PERCENTAGE OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE TESTING OUR ASYMPTOMATIC PEOPLE. WE HAVE SAID THAT ALL ALONG, THAT THERE IS INCREASING EVIDENCE THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE TRANSMITTING THIS VIRUS ASYMPTOMATIC WITH. WE SEE THAT WHEN WE TEST LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. WE ARE TESTING RESIDENTS AND STAFF THAT HAVE NEVER HAD A SYMPTOM. OTHER THAT IS ASYMPTOMATIC OR PRE-SYMPTOMATIC, WE’RE NOT QUITE SURE BECAUSE WE DON’T TRACK THOSE INDIVIDUAL CASES. WE DON’T TRACK AT THE TIME OF TESTING WHETHER SOMEONE IS ASYMPTOMATIC, PRE-SYMPTOMATIC, OR SYMPTOMATIC SO IT IS HARD TO GIVE YOU A PERCENTAGE EXACTLY. THE SECOND PART OF THAT QUESTION , IF YOU COULD REPEAT THAT PLEASE? HARRISON? >> I WAS JUST ASKING IF YOU COULD GIVE US SOME KIND OF INKLING, PERCENTAGE OF WHEN THEY TEST POSITIVE, THE CONTACT TRACER CALLS, ARE YOU HAVING SYMPTOMS? YOU MUST BE PUTTING DOWN YES OR NO. I’M TRYING TO GET AN IDEA OF THE PERCENTAGE OF NEW CASES THAT ARE A SYMPTOMATICALLY I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD BE ASKING THAT WITH THE CONTRACT TERRY SERVES -- CONTACT TRACERS. MS. SHIBINETTE: IF ORALLY THAT SIMPLE. I THINK AT THAT MOMENT WE COULD GET THAT DATA. ARE YOU ASYMPTOMATIC TODAY? OFTENTIMES WHAT WE GET IS, "I AM ABOUT IT TODAY BUT I KIND OF HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A SORE THROAT LIKE FOUR DAYS AGO." SO IS THAT SYMPTOMATIC OR NOT? THREE DAYS LATER, IF WE HAD MARKED THEM AS ASYMPTOMATIC, THEN THEY DEVELOP SYMPTOMS AND IT IS GOING BACK AND REWORKING THAT CASE TO PUT THEIR SYMPTOMS IN AT THAT POINT. I THINK THAT PEOPLE HAVE A VARYING AMOUNT OF SYMPTOMS OR NO SYMPTOMS THROUGHOUT THEIR ILLNESS. I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS ASYMPTOMATIC VERSUS PRE-SYMPTOMATIC VERSUS EXTREMELY MILD SYMPTOMS. WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM SOME PEOPLE IS, "I CONSIDER MYSELF ASYMPTOMATIC BUT I DID HAVE A SORE THROAT OR RUNNY NOSE A WEEK AGO." WE HAVE A HARD TIME ESTABLISHING WAS THAT ALLERGIES? WAS THAT COVID? THEY’RE STARTING TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION ON THAT. I THINK WE MAY HAVE DATA ON THAT DOWN THE ROAD, BUT WE DON’T HAVE THAT DATA RIGHT NOW. GOV. SUNUNU: HE BROUGHT UP ANOTHER INTERESTING POINT ON HERD IMMUNITY. DOUBLE PLAY THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND THEN DR. CHAN WILL CORRECT ME. YOU NEED A LARGE, MUCH LARGER PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE TO BE INFECTED BEFORE I THINK YOU CAN HAVE ANY SENSE OF HERD IMMUNITY. I’LL HAVE DR. CHAN CORRECT ME ON THAT. ABOUT 5000 -- HOW MANY FOLKS TOTAL? TOTAL NUMBER OF INFECTION? ON THE 6000 COVID-POSITIVE OUT OF ONE POINT 35 MILLION PEOPLE. FROM WHAT WE KNOW, DISTILL A FRACTION OF A PERCENT OF INDIVIDUALS IN THIS STATE THAT WE KNOW HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. THIS CONCEPT OF HERD IMMUNITY, ALLETE DR. CHAN. DR. CHAN: THIS QUESTION OF HERD IMMUNITY IS ONE THAT HAS COME UP BEFORE BOTH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE -- -- NATIONALLY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR THE GOAL HERE IS NOT HERD IMMUNITY. HERD IMMUNITY IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET A PANDEMIC VIRUS GO UNCHECKED THROUGH A POPULATION. AND THAT HAS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WAS THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE. PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HERD IMMUNITY COME AT THIS POINT IN TIME BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW, PROBABLY NOT A DESIRABLE REVIVAL STRATEGY IS THAT WE REALLY DON’T KNOW THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION WHEN SOMEONE IS INFECTED WITH COVID-19. IF COVID-19 IS ANYTHING LIKE OTHER COMMON CORONAVIRUS’S THAT CIRCULATE AREA THAT CAN CAUSE A COMMON COLD, WE KNOW FROM OTHER CORONAVIRUS’S, COMMON COLD CORONAVIRUS IS, THE PEOPLE CAN BE REINFECTED. IMMUNITY AFTER INFECTION WHEN THEY CALLED DOES NOT GUARANTEE LIFELONG IMMUNITY. WE KNOW WITH COMMON COLD VIRUSES, SOMEONE’S PROTECTION DECREASES OVER TIME. SO MONTHS AFTER A COLD, SOMEONE CAN GET A COLD OR GET REINFECTED AGAIN, POTENTIALLY THE SAME VIRUS. THAT REINFECTION MAY BE LESS SEVERE, A BABY WHAT WE SAY ATTENUATED, SOMEONE MAY NOT HAVE SEVERE SYMPTOMS, BUT IT IS VERY LIKELY, AND WE BELIEVE POSSIBLE, THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS INFECTED WITH COVID-19, THEY MAY END UP, LIKELY WILL END UP, BEING SHOWN THEY COULD BE REINFECTED AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. WHAT THE TIMEFRAME IS WHEN SOMEONE IS INFECTED THE FIRST TIME AND HOW LONG THEIR IMMUNITY LAST FOUR, THAT IS WHAT WE DON’T KNOW. THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS BEING STUDIED, WHAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. BEFORE THIS PRESS CONFERENCE, I WAS IN A MEETING DISCUSSING THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH OTHER STATES AND FEDERAL PUBLIC HEALTH PARTNERS. THIS IS STILL A VERY ACTIVE AREA OF DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ABOUT HOW LONG SOMEONE’S PROTECTION LAST AFTER THEY ARE INFECTED. HERD IMMUNITY IS NOT THE GOAL HERE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE IF YOU LET COVID-19 GO UNCHECKED THROUGH A POPULATION. LIKELY MAY NOT BE A VIABLE LONG-TERM STRATEGY BECAUSE PEOPLE MAY BE ABLE TO BE REINFECTED AGAIN SOME MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD AFTER INITIAL INFECTION. THE GOAL RIGHT NOW IS TO CONTROL AND PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-19 WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY’S, NOT LET IT GO UNCHECKED, NOT TRYING TO ACHIEVE SOME HERD IMMUNITY. WE WANT TO PREVENT COVID-19 FROM SPREADING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES SO PEOPLE DON’T END UP BEING HOSPITALIZED CONDO END OF DYING FROM THEIR DISEASE. THANKS. GOV. SUNUNU: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CLEARLY, HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE I GET THAT HONORARY EPIDEMIOLOGIST DOCTORATE. THAT IS IT FOR THE PHONE? OK, GREAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS HERE? OK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON. IT IS GOING TO BE A GOOD WEEK, BUSY WEEK. A LOT OF GOING ON EVERYONE STAY SAFE, WHERE YOUR MASS, PRACTICE PHYSICAL DISTANCING -- WHERE YOUR MASKS, PRACTICE PHYSICAL DISTANCING. IT IS UP TO 1.30 5 MILLION OF US ALTHOUGH, THAT NUMBER IS GROWING. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE FROM THE WEST COAST. THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER STORY. OUR REAL ESTATE IS BOOMING. WHETHER YOU BEEN HERE, GREW UP YOUR, OR JUST MOVING IN, WEAR A MASK OR YOU CAN, ACT AS PHYSICAL DISTANCING. IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO MAINTAIN THESE POSITIVE NUMBERS. WE ARE ALL NERVOUS ANOTHER SPIKE COULD BEFALL US BUT WE WANT TO PUT THAT OFF AS LONG AS WE CAN. KEEP BEING SAFE AND ALIVE OPPORTUNIT