---
title: "Coronavirus Response: A Head Start in the States"
id: "50876"
type: "post"
slug: "coronavirus-response-a-head-start-in-the-states"
published_at: "2020-08-12T19:00:45+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-17T03:54:33+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/08/12/coronavirus-response-a-head-start-in-the-states/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/08/12/coronavirus-response-a-head-start-in-the-states.md"
excerpt: "Working with state health officials early on, NGA helped to create a roadmap for reopening that governors could tailor to meet the needs of their states."
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*Coronavirus Response • National Governors Association*

In February, as much of the U.S. dialogue on the coronavirus centered on its impact in Asia and Europe, the National Governors Association invited Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to address its members on the potential spread. That head start helped NGA act quickly when the virus hit U.S. shores and began sweeping across the nation.

> Governors are working to ensure lifesaving healthcare to prevent the spread of the virus, and to mitigate the economic crisis and provide for a robust and speedy recovery.

NGA recognized early that helping governors shepherd their states through the pandemic would be crucial and began providing support. “We’re facilitating conversations among the governors and with federal leaders, including the president and vice president, so that they can learn from one another and make sure their priorities are being heard at the highest levels of government,” says James Nash, NGA’s press secretary.

NGA worked with state health officials to create a roadmap for reopening that governors could tailor to meet the needs of their states. While doctors and scientists bear the task of beating the virus, the governors believe their role is to help their citizens survive the negative economic, mental, and social impacts of COVID-19, so they can come out strong on the other side.

“Governors are working to ensure lifesaving healthcare to prevent the spread of the virus, and to mitigate the economic crisis and provide for a robust and speedy recovery,” Nash says. “We share their goals of keeping Americans safe and healthy and of ensuring opportunities for Americans of all walks of life to succeed.”

(Tetra Images)

[Rasheeda Childress](https://associationsnow.com/author/rasheeda-childress/)

Rasheeda Childress is a former senior editor at Associations Now.

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/rasheeda-childress/)

Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/)
 [#centennial](https://associationsnow.com/tag/centennial/)
 [#DC government](https://associationsnow.com/tag/dc-government/)
 [#pandemic](https://associationsnow.com/tag/pandemic/)
 [#public health](https://associationsnow.com/tag/public-health/)

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