Thread by @pwoodreporter

.@GovLarryHogan plans an 11 am press conference outside the Governor’s Mansion. I’ll tweet updates.

Hogan: We now have well over 100 cases in the region. More than 30 in Md.

Hogan: quotes Fauci that if you think you are overreacting you are doing the right thing.

Hogan: Runs down actions taken so far. Including schools, shutting down casinos, etc. Expect dramatic rise in cases.

Hogan: This is going to be harder and take longer than many realize. Too many people are ignoring this and crowding into bars, putting people in danger.

Hogan: extreme steps are necessary to save the lives of Americans.

Hogan: Executive order shuts down all bars, restaurants, movies and gyms at 5 pm. Drive thru and carry out OK.

Hogan: orders will be strictly enforced. 250 state troopers ready to deploy.

Banks, groceries should remain open.

Hogan: Dept of Health will assess whether to open closed hospitals in order to meet demand.

Hogan: 5,000 medical volunteer corps activated.

Hogan: any medical professional with out of state or expired license can practice.

Hogan: many National Guard activated. (I’m sorry, I missed all the numbers)

Hogan: No evictions in state of emergency.

Hogan: 3 meals a day and snack can be provided to school kids.

Hogan: 9 Grand Princess patients will return to Md under care of the National Guard.

Hogan: We need to act now before it’s too late.

Hogan: “actively taking a look at” what to do about the April primary.

Hogan: we don’t want anyone congregating 50+ people but we don’t want to entirely shut down commerce, especially essential items.

Hogan: we hope to get state legislation on covid-19 authority soon, maybe today.

Hogan: (answering Q about best case scenario) hope is that while we can’t avoid infections, these actions will slow spread and save lives.

Hogan: we would rather be Denmark than Italy.

Hogan: good news is that most people who get it will get better. But we are concerned about very high mortality rate among vulnerable people.

Hogan: I want to err on the side of caution by getting 6,000 hospital beds on line.

Hogan: this is third Monday in a row VP has had discussion with nation’s governors.

Hogan: I think the President is joining the call with the governor for the first time.

Feds not giving clear directives, so governors are acting.

Hogan: I think WH will tell us about steps they are going to take.

Hogan: hopefully they’ll get more out front in this. (They = White House)

Hogan: it’s a very rapidly changing situation.

Hogan: I’m talking all the time with other governors about what we’re all doing. “the phone’s ringing off the hook”

Hogan: “every one of us has to work together” in this time of crisis.

Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips: there is no vaccine and no treatment so social distancing is the one option we have right now.

Phillips: testing is top of mind for many people. We are experiencing a shortage of kits and the chemicals used in the lab. So there is a logjam.

Phillips: while testing not as accessible as we want it to be. We are working to roll out more accessible testing when we can.

Phillips: if cough, difficulty breathing, Hugh fever — stay home.

Call 911 if you are in medical distress.

Phillips: not everyone needs to be tested.

Phillips: we have 9,000 hospital beds. Working to get 6,000 more for acute care.

Phillips: the test is slow due to lack of capacity.

Phillips: we are close to needing a doubling of our current capacity.

Phillips: will rely on strategic national stockpile for ventilators and other medical equipment.

Phillips: In close communication with military partners about their medical capabilities.

Gowen (national Guard): will have 2,200 guard on duty or enhanced readiness this week. 400 have been on duty since Friday.

Karen Salmon (State schools supe): we are actively looking at modeling in where virus going. Two week closure gives us time to assess. Talking with County supes this afternoon

Salmon: we are now providing three meals a day for kids at the locations. She asks media to spread the word.

Salmon: mdsummermeals.org is where you can find meal distribution sites for kids.

Asked about whether summertime school is possible due to prolonged closure (longer than two weeks) and she says they’re talking about options. Not a clear answer.

Salmon: by Thursday will have additional day cares open for children of medical workers, law enforcement, etc.

Salmon: we have given guidance for private day cares that remain open. No groups more than ten, frequent cleanings, etc. We hope they will be cooperative.

Phillips: health.maryland.gov and 211 have information for the public.

Phillips: numbers will rise hourly and we will continue to post at 10 am a new daily total of positive cases.