Letter to State Leaders: We Demand a Robust Response to the Pandemic Surge
The COVID-19 surge caused by the spread of highly contagious Omicron variant continues to overwhelm our hospitals, healthcare workers, and testing capacity. Maryland's public health system is struggling to keep up with growing case numbers, high positivity rates, and a flood of patients.
We the undersigned Marylanders urge our state government to respond to this crisis in a way that reflects the gravity of this situation. We need:
- More support and resources for hospitals, caregivers, public health departments, and mental health services.
- Increased vaccine outreach and additional community vaccination sites; funding for free testing sites and testing kits.
- Greater efforts to procure and maintain adequate supplies of PPE in order to uphold requirements for safe workplaces.
- Mask mandates and vaccine mandates to protect workers in every economic sector and in all of our communities.
- Eviction moratoriums and programs to prevent anyone from losing their homes during this crisis.
- Free health care and financial aid for individuals and families who are struggling as a result of the pandemic.
It's time to focus on the people of Maryland and to support those working so hard to mitigate this surge and serve our residents. The state has a $2.5 billion surplus and unspent federal pandemic relief funds, and we have a duty to invest those funds in efforts to address the ongoing pandemic. Please strengthen the state's response to this dire situation.
Signed By: