Maryland hospitals have faced staffing challenges for as long as many of us can remember. Now, more than 560 days into the COVID-19 pandemic, these problems have become much more acute. The American Nurses Association earlier this month urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare the current and unsustainable nurse staffing shortage a national crisis.

Maryland hospitals and health systems have battled together against COVID-19 from the start. You’ve shared your expertise, your beds, and other precious resources. You’ve also jointly advocated in the best interests of your patients, communities, and state to lead our way out of this crisis.

This Labor Day weekend, our second under the cloud of the COVID-19, we are thankful for your strength, talent, and resilience. You and your teams have worked more than 500 days and saved the lives of almost 46,000 Marylanders. Now, you are being tested again as the Delta variant once again fills your hospitals with COVID patients.

Last week, Gov. Larry Hogan announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for hospital and nursing home staff. Under the orders, employees must have at least a first dose by Sept. 1, or face regular screening and testing. Maryland hospitals, of course, led early on vaccination. In June, UMMS and JHHS simultaneously announced they would require COVID vaccines for employees.