This public health emergency has challenged all our organizations—and us personally and professionally—in so many ways. Yet, your hospitals and systems are rising to the challenge. Since the first cases emerged in Maryland, the stories of your inventiveness have been inspiring.

This week the White House issued guidelines for “Opening Up America Again.” And Governor Hogan announced Maryland “is now in a position to plan the gradual rollout of the state’s recovery phase.” He laid out four building blocks: (1) Expanding testing capacity, (2) Increasing hospital surge capacity, (3) Ramping up supply of PPE, (4) Building a robust contact tracing operation.

In the toughest of times, we often see the best of humanity. That has been true during past crises and it is now. Health care workers are stepping up to the front lines of this public health emergency—as they always do—more than earning the moniker of health care heroes. Communities are showing great support for them, with local businesses volunteering resources and our citizens donating their time, talents, and precious protective gear to your efforts to keep Maryland—and your workforce—safe.

So many are saying there’s no playbook for what we’re going through right now. You know better. You’re working nonstop according to the health emergency protocols that were prepared for situations of this sort. What you’re battling most are challenges created outside your control, like the faulty supply chain of PPE and testing materials and ventilators.