Making daily announcements about Covid-19 related deaths has become a horrendous routine for the governor . And amid fighting the public health crisis , the governor also has to confront criticisms from all directions . How is she holding up ? How is she Managing ‘ the stress ’ behind the scenes ? How does she assess her performance ?

For this issue , CJ Urquico posed 20 questions to the governor .

CJ Urquico : How are you and your family doing ?

Gov . Lou Leon Guerrero : We ’ re doing fine and we are adjusting to the changes in behavior that this pandemic has imposed on all of us .

What are your plans for the holidays ?

We hope to have a CAR Score low enough to warrant a lift in restrictions soon . If I am able to enjoy the holidays , we usually have Thanksgiving at my house and that is now uncertain but I ’ m looking forward--and will fight really hard--to contain this virus so we can enjoy our holidays . For Christmas , we usually have a family get together at my mom ’ s house .

What is your favorite Christmas carol ?

My favorite Christmas carol is “ Silent Night .”

What ’ s your favorite Christmas childhood memory ?

My favorite Christmas childhood memory is waking up and being with my parents in our pajamas and opening our presents .

What ’ s your favorite present ?

My favorite present was my doll . It was a doll that walked that I really wanted and it was pretty expensive at that time and my mom and dad couldn ’ t afford it but my uncle bought it for me .

What do you miss the most about pre-Covid Guam ?

Being able to hug people when I see them . That ’ s really what I miss the most and getting to hug and kiss my mom .

Where do you wish you could go , if you could travel ?

If I could travel , I would go to see my very best friend in Los Angeles , California . My very best friend is Nancy King . We ’ ve been friends since 1968 , and she and I shared a lot of memories together . We were together during our college years , traveled Europe together , and lived together . She ’ s like family .

Have you seen the Netflix movie “ Operation Christmas Drop ?” How did you like it ?

Yes . I thought it was OK . I related to it because I experienced it , about four or five years ago . I remember everyone on the plane feeling sick

because the plane really does go low to make the deliveries . And it ’ s true . All the people are there waiting , some have boats in the water . And although we don ’ t have a Mayor Sampson , everything they said about Bruce Best is true !

What is your favorite book ? Author ?

My favorite book is Michelle Obama ’ s book “ Becoming .” My favorite author is Barbara Kingsolver .

You ’ ve been a CEO , senator , nurse and please share what I might have missed . Which one was your favorite ?

My favorite is being a nurse , absolutely . As a nurse , you can see what you ’ ve done ; how it ’ s helped somebody heal or save a life . Although all the other careers have also been very gratifying .

How do you keep it together when times are most stressful ?

I just take a breath and sit back and think back on what the purpose is and always remind myself that the purpose is to make a difference in people ’ s lives and to provide a better life for our people and that always refocuses my outlook .

What was the worst part about catching Covid-19 ?

The worst part is being afraid . Fearful that tomorrow I may not be here . The fear and the anxiety that this virus would seriously affect me and that I ’ ll die tomorrow .

How does it feel , as the governor , when a person passes away from Covid-19 ?

Oh my gosh ! I feel so sad . My heart breaks for them . It does , especially knowing it was a preventable death .

What are your thoughts on the performance of DPHSS and other agencies in the fight against Covid ?

I think public health is doing a great

job in spite of its limitations , in spite of this rapid increase of positives . But of course , there ’ s always room for improvement . I think the best thing is that if people have any ideas to improve , let ’ s work together to make those improvements happen .

How would you grade your performance in handling the pandemic ?

I think as a nurse , and my background in healthcare has really helped in my performance in dealing with this . That I was there right away , made the right decisions , and worked with all the advisors and gave recommendations and ideas a fair chance . I feel that I ’ m doing the best I can to contain the virus .

What would you do differently ?

I would ’ ve been much more strict in allowing travelers coming into Guam .

What was your best moment in 2020 ?

Paying the war reparations and ahead of its target date . We were creative , with an out of the box idea . Working in cooperation with the legislature , we saw that idea materialize . The best day was giving out our very first checks , the first to get hers was Felicita Tedpahago Naputi .

What was your worst moment in 2020 ?

When I learned of the first three Covid-19 cases locally .

Are you optimistic about the future of Guam ’ s tourism industry ?

Yes , I am very optimistic .

How do you feel about working with President-elect Biden and VPelect Harris ?

I am looking forward to working with our new president and VP-elect .

What is your Christmas message to the people of Guam ?

Wear your mask . Wash your hands . Watch your distance . And Merry Christmas !

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