![]() We begin this week with a Ray of hope, as we began the first COVID 19 vaccinations in the state of Maryland. Santa says he will be wearing his mask, and he asked me to remind all the kids out there to please remember to leave the milk and cookies out, as always. Fauci, who I was on a Zoom with earlier this afternoon, “Santa Claus has a lot of good innate immunity from COVID-19.” And so due to this immunity, it is unnecessary for Santa and his affiliated elves and reindeer to comply with the public health orders. Today I have issued a very special emergency order, which exempts the one true Santa Claus, who resides at the North Pole, all nonhuman elves affiliated with Santa, and the reindeer necessary for the propulsion of Santa’s sleigh, from any and all travel testing and quarantine requirements. The greatest risk of exposure to the virus is by being within just six feet of someone for more than 15 minutes.įor the kids out there who may be concerned, I have important good news. We are encouraging businesses that are able to also institute telework policies and to limit in person interactions as much as possible. And beginning Monday, December 21st, we will be temporarily suspending all in-person customer facing operations at state facilities for the next two weeks. The state of Maryland has instituted mandatory telework for all state employees who are able. To find out where you can get tested, go to covidtest.maryland. With testing so widely available to anyone throughout Maryland, this is easier than ever before. Marylanders who do travel outside of Maryland or individuals who do travel to our state will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result or to self quarantine for 10 days. Today, I am issuing an emergency order, which requires limiting travel to essential purposes only. They are also advising Marylanders against all nonessential activities and holiday gatherings with people outside of your immediate household. Today, the Maryland Department of Health is issuing a public health advisory, which lowers the gathering limit from 25 to 10. We do want families to celebrate and enjoy the holidays in ways that keep them safe. It will help our hospitals keep up with the demand, and it will save lives. Making difficult sacrifices during these next few weeks will absolutely help to keep your family, loved ones, and your fellow Marylanders safe. You are safer at home for the holidays this year. After doing so well for so long, we simply cannot afford to let our guard down over the holidays during this very critical time. Unfortunately, these are the very things that contact tracing consistently shows are the most dangerous things we can do. It is during this time of year that so many of us typically make plans to travel, to visit family and loved ones, and we all look forward to hosting or attending family gatherings and holiday parties. ![]() However, this holiday season could present perhaps our toughest challenge yet. Our strongest defense against this virus continues to be the cooperation and vigilance of the people of Maryland. ![]() ICU beds are down by five, and we have experienced no percentage change in hospital admissions over the past two weeks. ![]() Our hospitalizations decreased today by 60. Our metrics are relatively stable, but community transmission does continue to have an impact, and things can change rapidly if we do not keep doing the things that keep us safe. And at 45.2, our case rate is the ninth lowest. at 7.73%, our statewide positivity rate is the eighth lowest in America. Our total increase in cases this week was just 3%. As a result, the post Thanksgiving surge has not materialized in Maryland, to the extent that public health officials predicted, and did not rise to the levels that it has in most other states. Once again, Marylanders really stepped up to meet the moment, getting tested in record numbers, diligently wearing masks, canceling travel to stay home with their families, and following all of the existing orders and public health guidance. A few weeks ago, just before Thanksgiving, after taking a series of additional statewide mitigation actions, and initiating a comprehensive response to prepare our hospitals for this surge, we made a strong plea to Marylanders, asking them to keep on doing the things that helped to keep us safe and to slow the spread of COVID-19. We find ourselves at another pivotal moment in our battle against COVID-19. Joining me today are Transportation Secretary Greg Slater and Dr.
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