You know this. The events of the past week were unimaginable just a short time ago. The rapid spike in cases of COVID-19 around the country and here in Maryland is challenging us all like never before.

This is a grave moment. The coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak is escalating. Fortunately, so is Maryland’s response to it. Hospitals are out front, working well with partners to protect the health of Marylanders. Gov. Larry Hogan’s bold decision to close schools, along with other measures to limit social contacts, has wide-ranging effects on our hospitals, our communities, and our lives. But it’s the right thing to do. We expect to hear even more from him mid-day Monday.

The situation regarding coronavirus/COVID-19 is evolving at a fast pace. As of Sunday evening, the number of confirmed cases in Maryland remains just a handful, and it appears that all those patients acquired their illnesses on foreign travel. But a number of new cases have been reported in neighboring areas. We need to prepare for community spread. Your hospitals are clearly on the front lines, already being called and visited by people who believe they have symptoms and want to be tested or treated. This all needs to be managed.

A longtime Annapolis insider recently remarked that in nearly three decades of experience, he’s never seen so many bills aimed at hospitals.​ They’re challenging us on how we run our hospitals, care for and bill our patients, and deliver community benefit. The narrative is often negative—and often far off base. Opponents misconstrue data to deliver an unflattering blow to our field.​