Please consider OVERLY OPTIMISTIC MODELS

Firstly, thank you and your staff for the tireless work you are doing on our behalf. I have watched carefully for the last several weeks and know you are trying to make the best decisions. Governor Hogan recently communicated we are "weeks ahead" of the hospital surge plan. I am asking you to consider the current models on which decision making is based could be overly optimistic. It assumes that once a state implements at least 3 of {school closures, non-essential business closures, stay-home orders, travel restrictions}, transmission declines as it did in Wuhan. As I am sure you are aware, there are multiple reports of large gatherings, non-essential businesses remaining open, and "essential business" not properly protecting their work force and its patrons. These factors have and will continue to drastically alter the effectiveness of your current strategies, perhaps more than we are able to anticipate. Please consider taking the following additional measures: 1) Streamline the essential services list, drastically. We know now this four page list is too all encompassing and vague, leaving too much room for interpretation. 2) Issue shelter in place orders for all non-essential workers. Issue citations for breaking the order, as other countries have done, to enforce. We know now too many people are not heeding the warnings, including employers and important decision makers. 3) Improve working conditions for all frontline essential staff by enforcing strict CDC guideline adherence. Six feet physical distancing and hand washing stations (especially on construction sites), at the very least. 4) Assure and assist those financially impacted. People need reassurance their government will assess and quickly deliver on maintaining their basic needs of housing, food, and supplies during this disaster. Again, thank you for your work during this crisis.

First sent on March 29, 2020 by Kimberly