Type of Intervention: Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Health, Civil Defence
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; Declaring state of emergency
Level of Jurisdiction: Oklahoma
Lead People/Agency: Oklahoma Governor, J. Kevin Stitt declared the executive order. The order states that the Director of Emergency Management, the Oklahoma State Health Commissioner, and the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services who are tasked with overseeing the implementation of the order by state agencies.
Overview: The intervention is an executive order, which declares a state of emergency caused by the impending threat of the COVID-19. The target audience is described as the people of Oklahoma. The intended effect is to protect the public’s peace, health, and safety, as well as to activate the State’s Emergency Operations Plan and to provide updated response authority to state agencies.
Full details here: https://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1913.pdf
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee, Advice of EXTERNAL group of non-academics (e.g. business or community leaders)
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – government
Evidence/Justification: The executive order cites that the CDC has identified the potential public health threat posed by COVID-19. Also cites the U.S. President’s declaration of a national health emergency as a result of the national spread of COVID-19. Also cites the number of cases confirmed in the state, and states that the decision was made in consultation with “numerous health experts within [his] administration.”