08 April 2020 – New partnership to increase the production of face masks for health care workers

Type of Intervention: Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Private Sector, Supply Chains
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; Regulatory change
Level of Jurisdiction: Virginia
Lead People/Agency: Governor Ralph Northam and Virginia ABC Chief Executive Officer Travis Hill

Overview: Governor Ralph Northam today issued an executive directive authorizing the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) to defer annual fees for licenses and permits that would be up for renewal through June. The Governor also directed the Virginia ABC to allow establishments with mixed beverage licenses, such as restaurants and distilleries, to sell mixed beverages through takeout or delivery, effective at midnight Thursday.
Full details here: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/april/headline-856007-en.html

Type of Justification: Perception of an increased threat
Evidence/Justification: This unprecedented health crisis has had a tremendous impact on businesses across the Commonwealth, and restaurants have been hit especially hard,” said Governor Northam. “ Governor announces additional measures to support restaurants and distilleries 11978
United States 04/08/2020 Executive Order, Regulation, Specific Action Health, Local Government 4; 4.5; 9; 9.1 Social and physical distancing measures; Domestic travel; Planning and strategy; Creation of or release of plans https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/news/?id=1055-427372 To continue Minnesota’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 across the state, Governor Tim Walz today extended the Stay Home Order until May 4. The Governor’s order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19, pushing out the peak of the disease and allowing the state to continue key preparations for the pandemic. These preparations include building new hospital capacity and buying ventilators and masks, planning for how to protect those most at risk, expanding testing, and freeing up time for health care giants like the Mayo Clinic to develop critical treatments for the virus. The Stay Home Order is now extended to 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020. Minnesota Scientific Evidence (e.g. academic paper, report), Perception of an increased threat Governor Tim Walz, law enforcement State: Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “The social distancing and community mitigation efforts Governor Walz implemented have secured us much-needed time to prepare more fully for the predicted peak in cases, and today’s announcement gives us a better chance to save even more lives. Stay Home Order (lockdown) extended to 4 May 12032
United States 04/08/2020 Specific Action Health 8; 8.3; 9; 9.1; 11; 11.4 Legal and policy; New initiatives; Planning and strategy; Creation of or release of plans; Finance policy and financial aid; Financial aid to health services https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-texas-military-department-prestige-ameritech-partnership-to-increase-mask-production Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference where he provided an update on the production and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Texas. The Governor announced a new partnership between the Texas Military Department (TMD) and Prestige Ameritech to increase the production of face masks for health care workers. Prestige Ameritech’s 24-hour operation at their headquarters near Fort Worth will be staffed in part by members of the Texas National Guard 36th Infantry Division and will produce 2 million masks per week. Texas Anecdotal Evidence (e.g. social or traditional media with limited evidence base) Governor Greg Abbott This announcement follows prior actions by the Governor. For example, on March 24, the Governor announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) will begin receiving 100,000 masks per day by the end of that week and the Supply Chain Strike Force will begin receiving an additional 100,000 masks per day by the end of next week—meaning the State of Texas will soon be receiving more than one million masks per week. On April 6, the Governor also announced that Texas received 2.5 million masks in the past 24 hours, and will receive an additional 3 million masks by April 11th. Governor Abbott said the following regarding this action: The State of Texas is continuing to work closely with our public and private partners to ramp up the production and distribution of PPE in Texas. This new partnership between TMD and Prestige Ameritech is an important component of our commitment to ensuring our health care workers have the supplies they need to do their important work. I thank these partners for providing this much-needed resource to our health care workers serving our fellow Texans. The Lone Star State remains unwavering in our support for our frontline health care workers as we continue to respond to COVID-19.”