The Washington Post reports that:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an emergency order Sunday mandating that nursing homes and assisted living centers take drastic steps to stem the spread of coronavirus, with 81 facilities across the state now contending with outbreaks.
The order, which carries criminal penalties for those who do not comply, includes requirements that staff wear personal protective equipment. Facilities also must create quarantine units for residents with confirmed or suspected infections, and must send covid-19 tests to a state laboratory.
There are now covid-19 cases or outbreaks at 81 nursing homes or assisted living facilities across the state, Hogan said in a news release. At Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mt. Airy, nine residents have died, and at least 99 residents and staff have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“We will use every tool at our disposal to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Hogan said.
Geez. You would think this would be a scandal that the Post would immediately assign a team of investigative reporters to. Did Hogan just learn that nursing home residents are the most vulnerable population? Couldn’t this result in many deaths? Has any other state had more than 10 nursing homes invaded by the virus? Is this something that is happening across the country but is not being disclosed or reported on? What is the story, Washington Post. This is what great newspapers write about. Isn’t it?
But, on the other hand, Hogan is the Washington Post’s favorite Republican governor who can do no wrong in the virus fight or really otherwise. Indeed, I think the Post’s style manual requires writers or editors to include the word “popular” before Hogan’s name in any article. So, I guess we will see.