'Virginia and Maryland governors offer ‘blueprint’ for emerging from pandemic shutdown' diff viewer (0/1)

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Virginia and Maryland governors offer ‘blueprint’ for emerging from pandemic shutdown	Virginia and Maryland governors offer ‘blueprint’ for emerging from pandemic shutdown
2020-04-24 20:38:21 UTC	2020-04-24 21:10:19 UTC (32 minutes later)
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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan unveiled “blueprints” Friday for eventually bringing their states out of the shutdowns imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, pledging to work with business leaders and coordinate across the region to chart a cautious path.	Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan unveiled “blueprints” Friday for eventually bringing their states out of the shutdowns imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, pledging to work with business leaders and coordinate across the region to chart a cautious path.
They also made it clear that things are still far from returning to normal.	They also made it clear that things are still far from returning to normal.
“We cannot and will not lift restrictions the way you turn on a light switch,” Northam (D) said. “We will do it responsibly and deliberately, and it has to be grounded in data.”	“We cannot and will not lift restrictions the way you turn on a light switch,” Northam (D) said. “We will do it responsibly and deliberately, and it has to be grounded in data.”
Hogan (R) announced a three-tiered plan to reopen society, but said it would begin only when data shows the virus’ spread is under control and the health system is prepared for any future spike in infections — thresholds the state so far has no concrete timeline for reaching.	Hogan (R) announced a three-tiered plan to reopen society, but said it would begin only when data shows the virus’ spread is under control and the health system is prepared for any future spike in infections — thresholds the state so far has no concrete timeline for reaching.
“Unfortunately, life will not be able to just go back to normal,” Hogan said, adding the earliest he could ease restrictions is early May.	“Unfortunately, life will not be able to just go back to normal,” Hogan said, adding the earliest he could ease restrictions is early May.
In the District, where Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has launched an advisory group to help plan for gradually lifting restrictions, officials warned of looming budget cuts because of the economic damage triggered by the shutdown.	In the District, where Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has launched an advisory group to help plan for gradually lifting restrictions, officials warned of looming budget cuts because of the economic damage triggered by the shutdown.
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Revenue could plunge by $720 million in the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, and by $800 million for next year’s budget, authorities said.	Revenue could plunge by $720 million in the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, and by $800 million for next year’s budget, authorities said.
Northam said Virginia will follow federal guidelines for deciding when to ease restrictions: The percentage of positive coronavirus tests and number of hospitalizations must decline for 14 consecutive days, and the state must have ample hospital capacity an “increasing and sustainable supply” of personal protective equipment.	Northam said Virginia will follow federal guidelines for deciding when to ease restrictions: The percentage of positive coronavirus tests and number of hospitalizations must decline for 14 consecutive days, and the state must have ample hospital capacity an “increasing and sustainable supply” of personal protective equipment.
State statistics show the number of infections continuing to rise, though growth rates are slowing and hospitalization remains flat.	State statistics show the number of infections continuing to rise, though growth rates are slowing and hospitalization remains flat.
~~The number of overall confirmed coronavirus infections in the District, Maryland and Virginia grew Friday by ~~1,599~~ to nearly 32,000 cases. That increase is on par with the recent daily increases.~~	The number of overall confirmed coronavirus infections in the District, Maryland and Virginia grew Friday by 1,644 to nearly 32,000 cases. That increase is on par with the recent daily increases.
Are Maryland, D.C. and Virginia meeting benchmarks to reopen? Not yet.	Are Maryland, D.C. and Virginia meeting benchmarks to reopen? Not yet.
When Virginia does begin to recover, Northam said, his administration will plan for a phased reemergence of the state’s economy. “Phase 1” will mean some businesses reopening “with strict safety restrictions,” a continued reliance on social distancing and teleworking and the recommendation that people wear face coverings in public.	When Virginia does begin to recover, Northam said, his administration will plan for a phased reemergence of the state’s economy. “Phase 1” will mean some businesses reopening “with strict safety restrictions,” a continued reliance on social distancing and teleworking and the recommendation that people wear face coverings in public.
Northam has required nonessential businesses to remain closed through May 8 and issued a stay-at-home order for residents that runs until June 10. He did not disclose any specific plans beyond those dates, or say if the orders would be extended.	Northam has required nonessential businesses to remain closed through May 8 and issued a stay-at-home order for residents that runs until June 10. He did not disclose any specific plans beyond those dates, or say if the orders would be extended.
Virginia is conducting about 2,600 coronavirus tests per day aimed at people showing symptoms, those at high risk because of age or occupation and residents of group care facilities. The state hopes to move to 5,000 tests per day using “strike teams” and the National Guard to augment a wider program.	Virginia is conducting about 2,600 coronavirus tests per day aimed at people showing symptoms, those at high risk because of age or occupation and residents of group care facilities. The state hopes to move to 5,000 tests per day using “strike teams” and the National Guard to augment a wider program.
Eventually, as the economy begins to reopen, Northam hopes for 10,000 tests per day to get a broad picture of the spread of the virus.	Eventually, as the economy begins to reopen, Northam hopes for 10,000 tests per day to get a broad picture of the spread of the virus.
Authorities could then use a “box it in” strategy to control coronavirus as people get back to work, Northam said. Those infected would be isolated, and every person who had been in contact with them would be tracked down and told to self-isolate for 14 days.	Authorities could then use a “box it in” strategy to control coronavirus as people get back to work, Northam said. Those infected would be isolated, and every person who had been in contact with them would be tracked down and told to self-isolate for 14 days.
Once the pandemic seemed under control, the state would plan to conduct 2,000 tests per day for the foreseeable future.	Once the pandemic seemed under control, the state would plan to conduct 2,000 tests per day for the foreseeable future.
Northam’s task force of business leaders to advise him on reopening includes 23 people from around the state representing a wide swath of interests — a campground on the Eastern Shore, the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, a vineyard in Afton, hospitality executives in Virginia Beach and Reston.	Northam’s task force of business leaders to advise him on reopening includes 23 people from around the state representing a wide swath of interests — a campground on the Eastern Shore, the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, a vineyard in Afton, hospitality executives in Virginia Beach and Reston.
Patient tracker: The latest on coronavirus patients and fatalities	Patient tracker: The latest on coronavirus patients and fatalities
Northam also announced Friday that he was delaying local elections from May 5 to May 19. He had asked the General Assembly to postpone those elections until November to keep voters from having to cast ballots during the stay-at-home order, but members of the state Senate killed that proposal.	Northam also announced Friday that he was delaying local elections from May 5 to May 19. He had asked the General Assembly to postpone those elections until November to keep voters from having to cast ballots during the stay-at-home order, but members of the state Senate killed that proposal.
“If you plan to vote in that election, I strongly encourage you to vote absentee by mail,” Northam said. Northam said elections officials will make every effort to make in-person voting “as safe as possible” — including ensuring that poll workers have personal protective equipment.	“If you plan to vote in that election, I strongly encourage you to vote absentee by mail,” Northam said. Northam said elections officials will make every effort to make in-person voting “as safe as possible” — including ensuring that poll workers have personal protective equipment.
Hogan’s plan for reopening starts with a low-risk tier of businesses that could include limited outdoor gym classes and small outdoor religious gatherings; ~~some~~ ~~small~~ ~~shops,~~ ~~though~~ most businesses ~~would~~ ~~stick~~ to curbside service; elective dental and medical procedures done outside of hospitals; and outdoor recreation activities such as boating, fishing, golf and tennis.	Hogan’s plan for reopening starts with a low-risk tier of businesses that could include limited outdoor gym classes and small outdoor religious gatherings; most small businesses offering only curbside service; elective dental and medical procedures done outside of hospitals; and outdoor recreation activities such as boating, fishing, golf and tennis.
Medium- and high-risk commerce would follow if conditions continued to improve. However, the governor said he would require physical distancing and mask use through all three stages until his emergency order is lifted.	Medium- and high-risk commerce would follow if conditions continued to improve. However, the governor said he would require physical distancing and mask use through all three stages until his emergency order is lifted.
Hogan has said he will not lift social distancing measures until the state sees daily declines in key areas, including hospitalizations and intensive-care bed use, for about 14 consecutive days.	Hogan has said he will not lift social distancing measures until the state sees daily declines in key areas, including hospitalizations and intensive-care bed use, for about 14 consecutive days.
The easing of restrictions could be done in a regional way, with areas opening first if they are less hard-hit and bettered position to absorb a surge in new patients.	The easing of restrictions could be done in a regional way, with areas opening first if they are less hard-hit and bettered position to absorb a surge in new patients.
Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know	Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to know
Sporting events, large indoor religious services, entertainment venues and high-capacity bars and restaurants — all deemed “high risk” — will be the last to reopen under Hogan’s plan, which says there is “no timeline” for when these types of activities could resume. The plan does not mention when schools could reopen.	Sporting events, large indoor religious services, entertainment venues and high-capacity bars and restaurants — all deemed “high risk” — will be the last to reopen under Hogan’s plan, which says there is “no timeline” for when these types of activities could resume. The plan does not mention when schools could reopen.
The medium-risk category includes day care facilities, restaurants and bars operating with limited capacity, public transit operating on normal schedules, elective procedures at hospitals, indoor gyms and social gatherings without a strict limits. The governor’s plan says this second stage will likely last longer than the first, and would happen over many weeks.	The medium-risk category includes day care facilities, restaurants and bars operating with limited capacity, public transit operating on normal schedules, elective procedures at hospitals, indoor gyms and social gatherings without a strict limits. The governor’s plan says this second stage will likely last longer than the first, and would happen over many weeks.
Hogan said he has expanded the panel of experts advising him on the response to include Maryland business, labor, banking and economic leaders, along with the scientists and public health experts who have formed the backbone of his task force so far.	Hogan said he has expanded the panel of experts advising him on the response to include Maryland business, labor, banking and economic leaders, along with the scientists and public health experts who have formed the backbone of his task force so far.
Reopening the state will depend not just on shrinking coronavirus caseloads, but also on how much Maryland has fortified its health care system. Hogan has outlined four key goals that must be met before he’ll launch recovery: widespread and accessible testing, ramped up hospital capacity, an army of contact tracing workers to identify and possibly isolate any new patients, and a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment for all medical workers.	Reopening the state will depend not just on shrinking coronavirus caseloads, but also on how much Maryland has fortified its health care system. Hogan has outlined four key goals that must be met before he’ll launch recovery: widespread and accessible testing, ramped up hospital capacity, an army of contact tracing workers to identify and possibly isolate any new patients, and a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment for all medical workers.
While the governor said he has made progress on each of those goals, he has not yet reached them.	While the governor said he has made progress on each of those goals, he has not yet reached them.
In the District, Bowser has said her Reopen D.C. Advisory Group will include a focus on health disparities and consider what reopening would mean for restaurants, food retailers and the real estate and construction industries. The group will issue recommendations in May.	In the District, Bowser has said her Reopen D.C. Advisory Group will include a focus on health disparities and consider what reopening would mean for restaurants, food retailers and the real estate and construction industries. The group will issue recommendations in May.
Her administration was focused Friday on the budgetary impact of the pandemic. Declining sales tax revenue accounts for half of the financial blow to the city, with officials expecting to lose nearly $400 million in both the current and next year’s budget from taxes on goods, restaurant meals and sales at nonessential businesses that have been shut down.	Her administration was focused Friday on the budgetary impact of the pandemic. Declining sales tax revenue accounts for half of the financial blow to the city, with officials expecting to lose nearly $400 million in both the current and next year’s budget from taxes on goods, restaurant meals and sales at nonessential businesses that have been shut down.
“This is a recession no matter how you look at it,” said Jeffrey DeWitt, the city’s chief financial officer.	“This is a recession no matter how you look at it,” said Jeffrey DeWitt, the city’s chief financial officer.
It marks the first time since the Great Recession that the budget of the nation’s capital will be shrinking.	It marks the first time since the Great Recession that the budget of the nation’s capital will be shrinking.
Bowser has already implemented a freeze on hiring, salary increases and travel. But officials will likely be forced to make further cuts and shelve major initiatives, such as an expansion of early childhood care and transit stipends for all residents.	Bowser has already implemented a freeze on hiring, salary increases and travel. But officials will likely be forced to make further cuts and shelve major initiatives, such as an expansion of early childhood care and transit stipends for all residents.