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Hey all, SHORT THREAD on the wild, rapidly-evolving #COVID19 legal & regulatory COVID fight happening now between #Maryland Governor Larry Hogan & Montgomery County, MD County Executive Marc Elrich. I am a #healthpolicy & #publichealth expert but not legal expert so bear with me.
2/8 I wanted to briefly summarize for everyone because I could see this making it's way up the court system (and because it's frankly really interesting and changes keep going back and forth rapidly). Short story (pay attention to *asterisked differences*):
3/8
1. Few weeks ago, Hogan issues *statewide executive order* that all non-public schools can make own choice about whether to open in person
2. July 31: MoCo exercises *county executive order:* no MoCo school can open in person until at least Oct. 1 (will be all remote).
1. Few weeks ago, Hogan issues *statewide executive order* that all non-public schools can make own choice about whether to open in person
2. July 31: MoCo exercises *county executive order:* no MoCo school can open in person until at least Oct. 1 (will be all remote).
4/8
3. Aug. 5: Hogan responds w/ *statewide executive order:* no counties in MD can have blanket order closing all non-public schools; each county health official should evaluate each non-public schools' COVID-19 plan, determine on a school by school basis if can be in person.
3. Aug. 5: Hogan responds w/ *statewide executive order:* no counties in MD can have blanket order closing all non-public schools; each county health official should evaluate each non-public schools' COVID-19 plan, determine on a school by school basis if can be in person.
5/8
4. Aug 5 (same day): MoCo responds saying it is exercising its *county health officer powers* (not "executive order") and has determined that no non-public schools can safely open in person so they must remain closed
4. Aug 5 (same day): MoCo responds saying it is exercising its *county health officer powers* (not "executive order") and has determined that no non-public schools can safely open in person so they must remain closed
6/8
5. Aug. 6 (YESTERDAY): Hogan responds w/ *statewide health officer powers:" no counties in MD can have blanket order closing all non-public schools.
5. Aug. 6 (YESTERDAY): Hogan responds w/ *statewide health officer powers:" no counties in MD can have blanket order closing all non-public schools.
7/8
6. Aug. 7 (TODAY): MoCo rescinds health officer guidance, now says that currently they can't bar non-public schools from opening but strongly advises against anything in person; asks MD state to send articulable criteria for determining acceptable and safe opening.
6. Aug. 7 (TODAY): MoCo rescinds health officer guidance, now says that currently they can't bar non-public schools from opening but strongly advises against anything in person; asks MD state to send articulable criteria for determining acceptable and safe opening.
8/8. This is wild to me. Also, to be clear, from #publichealth standpoint it is unacceptable to open in person now. I understand remote teaching has challenges. There is no perfect solution but remote is way better option--unless you want 9 more months of this... #COVID19
Post-tweet: I think I have captured the timeline and responses correctly but legal/regulatory experts please let me know any nuanced differences to be noted.
