Update, Thursday. April 16: Seven Midwestern governors announced today that they will band together to decide when they will reopen their economies following the peak of the novel coronavirus while avoiding a resurgence. Read more.

Original story:

The governors of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky have been in close contact throughout the coronavirus pandemic and are coordinating, to at least some degree, on when to ease their stay-at-home orders.

In Indiana, Gov. Eric Holcomb stressed that he’d make the decision to end the stay-at-home order based on what’s happening throughout the state. But he also indicated he’s thinking about the decision regionally and expects more clarity on a timeline within the next week or so.

“It’s been shown that the Great Lakes region has done a fairly good job of mitigating our connections and our travel,” he said at his daily news conference Tuesday, “and that’s had a significant positive impact, unlike in some other places. We’ll move forward together as a state, but I’ll not surprise my neighboring states by any actions we take in the future as well.”

Dr. Kris Box, the state's health commissioner, also indicated it's important to think regionally.

"We really need to look at what Indiana is doing with regards to the numbers," she said, "and what our surrounding states are doing."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was more direct in comments reported Tuesday by the Cincinnati Enquirer, saying that Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana would open aspects of the economy "in lockstep" to slow the spread of the virus.

"You will see the three of our states at least working together significantly as we move forward," Beshear said.

Republican legislative leaders at the Statehouse have been in lock step with Holcomb throughout the pandemic, including on working in coordination with other states, though there appears to be growing concern to reopen the economy among rank-and-file members in the Indiana House and Indiana Senate.

"While we are focused on our state's recovery," said House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, "this virus doesn't discriminate between borders and it's important to work with our neighbors as we move ahead. We also understand that our data and unique situation should be the driving force behind how and when to reopen our doors again to life and business."

Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray said he too supports the governor's approach.

“There’s no doubt Hoosiers want to get back to work," Bray said, "and open communication between our neighboring states will help ensure we don't experience a resurgence of this virus."

How does Gov. Holcomb compare to other states? It depends.

But an increasing number of lawmakers agree it’s time to open the economy, said Rep. Jim Lucas, who represents Seymour, a city of roughly 20,000 along I-65 between Indianapolis and Louisville.

Lucas disagreed with shutting the government down in the first place. He thinks the virus’s death rate is being exaggerated because so few people are being tested. He notes many infected people show no symptoms, and he wants Hoosiers to build “herd immunity” through being exposed. Folks at higher risk, he said, should choose to stay home.

“I don’t believe in coordinating with other states,” he said. “We need to do what’s right for Hoosiers. Having been in this for a month long and learning what we’ve learned and knowing what we know, it’s time to reopen the economy.”

But for now most lawmakers appear to be following Holcomb’s lead.

Rep. Ed Clere, a Republican who represents New Albany, a city that borders Louisville, said it makes sense for states to coordinate. He said New Albany's economy goes hand in hand with Louisville's.

“We are very connected and tied together,” he said. “Under normal circumstances, people are going back and forth all of the time for work and school and entertainment and dining. It’s critical that the states coordinate their reopening plans because what we need to avoid is one state reopening earlier or faster than a neighboring state and as a result seeing an influx of people coming over.”

Even some political opponents agree with it makes sense for state's to work together.

Dr. Woody Myers, the former state health commissioner running as a Democrat against Holcomb, said the governor is right to coordinate with neighboring states.

“Since we have virtually zero leadership on this issue from the White House that anybody believes in and trusts, the states have to do it on their own.”

Myers’ criticisms have been that Holcomb declared a stay-at-home order too late and needs to release a more transparent plan to limit the spread of the virus and to open the economy moving forward.

“I just know that if I were in his shoes I would have directed much more energy toward those areas and I would have communicated them more directly to the public.”

Contact IndyStar reporter Chris Sikich at Chris.Sikich@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich.