MD COVID: Hogan Releases Long-Term Readiness Plan For Future Surges

Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday released his long-term COVID-19 readiness plan. He hopes this strategy will help Maryland battle future coronavirus spikes.

"We must all learn to live with the virus, not to live in fear of it," the governor said at a press conference. "I want to thank the people of Maryland for doing exactly that."

Hogan's plan has five pillars:

• Expanding test-to-treat infrastructure
• Maximizing treatments and therapeutics
• Promoting booster shots
• Increasing awareness and outreach
• Stockpiling pandemic resources

Expanding Test-To-Treat Infrastructure

Many Marylanders have had trouble getting prescriptions filled after they test positive for COVID-19. After their test, residents must see a doctor to get a prescription. They then must find a pharmacy to fill their medicine.

This process has driven many Marylanders to emergency rooms to test, see a doctor, get a prescription and fill their medicine all in the same place. The state discourages this practice, however, because it occupies hospitals that need to treat the most vulnerable patients.