The Peaks to Craters scenic highway from the Lost Mountain range to Craters of the Moon National Monument is one of the most beautiful and isolated roads in Idaho, and maybe in all of North America. A few years back, while traversing this road between Idaho Falls on my way back to Boise, I found myself behind a well-intentioned, yet “far-slower-than-the-speed-limit” moving recreational vehicle. While the pace made the scenery more enjoyable, I was captivated by the spare wheel cover on the back, an old worn, greyish tarp with thick black letters that read, “Nowhere to go and a day to get there!”

As I drove behind it I wondered what it would be like to actually have a day with nowhere to go and a day to get there. And what would I do with that day? What would anyone do with that kind of a day? Fast forward several years later and voila, I get to find out. It’s only day two of the stay-at-home order and that summer day long ago behind the old camper came to mind.

I do not believe any one in their wildest imagination could have ever thought we would experience the kind of self-isolation, stay-at-home scenario playing out in our state, around the country, and around the world as we watch the events surrounding COVID-19 unfold. But unlike that day behind the RV in central Idaho, this is different. In an unusual setting, in uncertain times, in many respects, I feel more connected to the Lottery’s players than I would if I were sitting in my office. As one of my work responsibilities during this time, all the calls from the Lottery’s main number are being forwarded to me.

So, what are people doing with their days at home, nowhere to be, and plenty of time to be there?

Michelle from Twin Falls was concerned about receiving her VIP points for her purchases. She plays the same tickets, the same numbers, draw in and draw out, and buys her tickets one month at a time. She used to go to Jackpot, Nevada once a month but found she was having better success with the Lottery. Plus it’s closer to home and she doesn’t have to travel. The last few times in the store, she did not receive her points and took today as an opportunity to follow up on that. All of us working remotely were able to rectify this for her.

Fred from Boise is someone who is considered ‘at risk’ during this time. He was concerned about getting his Lucky for Life tickets without having to go to a store. He was hopeful we would allow on-line play. That is still not legal in Idaho. In conversation, though, he realized that he would be visiting a store for groceries during the select times for those at risk, so we talked through using a play slips for five weeks-worth of draws on a vending machine.

Beverly from Bozeman had mailed in a claim previously to us and was hopeful it had gone out in the mail. It was for $1,000 on Power 5, one of our newer Scratch Games that features a top prize of $50,000. In joking with her, I asked why she didn’t have the top prize and she said she just hadn’t bought it yet!

A nice lady from Caldwell also had a $1,000 winning ticket she was hoping to claim. I told her to sign it and keep it in a safe place until we re-opened. I did give her the option of either mailing it in, or, if she was so inclined, dropping by the office in our pre-arranged drop box for winning tickets. We are still paying winning claims, just once a week.

A gentleman called, another dedicated Lucky for Life player, and wanted to know if he won the jackpot how long it would take to collect his winnings. On a normal day, he would be paid within an hour or so. Right now, it might be three weeks.

And there was one fellow, Larry from Cando (pronounced – Can Do), North Dakota. He had tickets from a visit to Idaho back in November. He does not have access to the Internet in Cando, North Dakota, but he has our phone number on the back of his ticket. Larry was looking for the winning numbers for Powerball from November 9 and Mega Millions from November 12. He also wanted to know what he should do if he had a winner. The best option is to sign and mail them in.

And then there were the wave of calls coming from Utah. They do not have a stay-home order for their residents, but had heard about Idaho’s. Concerned, they called to find out if our stores were open. I explained the convenient stores and grocery stores were considered ‘essential’ services and would remain open. Since our dedicated retail partners are open, our products are also available for purchase. While we are open, given our Stay-home order it is not advisable to visit Idaho at this time.

So, what did I do with nowhere to go and a day to get there? I reconnected with the Lottery’s players and retailers. In total I spoke to about three dozen people from seven different states. And all of them shared a similar theme: that our games are still top of mind, relevant, and a quality, alternative form of entertainment for people, even in the midst of a pandemic.

For everyone, I’d offer this: if you go to a store, Scratch Games in particular are a great way to while away the hours. Consider multi-draw tickets for all the draw games, be sure to sign all of your winners and keep them in a safe place. Getting through this emergency might be about as fast as that RV I was behind a few years ago – cautiously deliberate and still progressing, but when this emergency is over we will still be here, we will pay all your prizes, and we’ll celebrate Idaho’s success and your good fortune!

Everyone, be safe.