Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday participated in a phone meeting led by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence regarding the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and how to get states across the country back to work.

Gina Maiola, press secretary for Ivey, advised that “Governor Ivey participated in the phone meeting with the Trump Administration and her fellow governors to further discuss the country’s and states’ efforts to combat COVID-19, specifically focusing on how we will get our economy back up and running again.”

“The governor is grateful to the president for his Administration’s strong leadership and continued guidance during this unprecedented time,” she continued. “She also appreciates the president supporting Alabama making decisions that are in the best interest of Alabamians, specifically as it relates to their personal and economic health. She will continue making these decisions, while carefully weighing both aspects of this situation.”

“As the president mentioned, this will be data driven, rather than date driven,” Maiola concluded. “With his guidance, as well as that from her Coronavirus Executive Committee and our state’s congressional leaders, Governor Ivey looks forward to getting Alabama back to work and back to normal. She commends Alabamians for their cooperation and asks for their continued patience. Their willingness in the next two weeks is key to flattening the curve and getting our businesses rolling again.”

This came the day before a subcommittee formed by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) delivered to Ivey a report recommending some sectors of Alabama’s economy open back up “immediately.” The report proposed opening other sectors in May.

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Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn