Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lemanu-Talauega Cabinet “Zoomed” on Tuesday this week for the first virtual Cabinet meeting brought about after the Code Red shutdown put in place by Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga when community spread of the Coronavirus was first detected.

Code Red has now been extended until 12:01 AM, March 8. 

“Recently in social media and the news, there are both positive and negative reactions from the public [to ASG’s response]. We need to pay attention to their concerns,” the governor said in a media release issued late Wednesday.

(See Samoa News stories earlier this week for public reaction to the shutdown.)

Lemanu went on to tell the Cabinet to not let negative or impractical comments dictate their ability to lead. “Our primary goal has always been to serve the people of American Samoa, this is your calling, but this also means that all your actions and decisions are easy to be criticized by the public.

“You must remain patient during this crucial time and understand that this is not an easy time for our people. This lockdown will affect families financially, socially, and mentally.  Stay the course and remember that service to the people is our priority,” Lemanu told them via Zoom.

The governor credited numerous agencies for their work, including the Department of Public Safety and Samoan Affairs for maintaining order, DOH and LBJ for treatment; DOE, ASCC, and The Public Library for virtual learning assistance  as well as ASTCA and ASPA for maintaining utilities.

 “No one is sitting idly. Thank you all for being proactive,” he said.

Lemanu explained that daily updates are received by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and forwarded on to the Governor’s Authorized Representative (who is Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale) for review.  Both the governor and lieutenant governor recognize the support by departments in the EOC, and encourage all departments to continue to assist ASDHS-TEMCO in their daily operations.

Other departments who presented during the cabinet meeting were DoH, DOE, ASCC, DoA, and DHSS.

All Cabinet members attended via ZOOM and included directors who are currently off island.