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Every week, NE Gov. Pete Ricketts receives a detailed report from the WH covid task force. Along with stats, it includes state-specific recommendations for fighting the virus. Neither the White House nor governor have opted to share these publicly.
So I put in a records request.
So I put in a records request.
I was curious what advice my governor is getting from the national health and science experts at the White House he has so consistently supported.
The day before Thanksgiving, I got back my records request, with weekly reports from mid-August to late November. Lots of numbers, charts, maps, etc. As well as a list of recommendations for action each week. (Link to full reports at end of thread)
Since August, the reports have been consistent on one recommendation almost every week: institute a mask mandate:
“Ensure masks at all times in public.”
“Institute mask requirements.”
“A mask mandate needs to be implemented.”
“Require masks.”
“Ensure masks at all times in public.”
“Institute mask requirements.”
“A mask mandate needs to be implemented.”
“Require masks.”
If you live in Nebraska, it goes without saying that this has not happened, at least statewide.
Kudos to the local leaders who have stepped up.
Kudos to the local leaders who have stepped up.
In recent weeks as infections and deaths have risen, the pleas have gotten positively plaintive, calling for “significant behavior change” because “we need to protect those we are thankful for in our families and communities.”
A selection of quotes from the reports:
8/16: In Lincoln and Omaha, keep mask mandates in place. Reduce indoor dining.
8/23: With the continuing high level of COVID-19 transmission, a mask mandate needs to be implemented statewide to decrease community transmission.
8/16: In Lincoln and Omaha, keep mask mandates in place. Reduce indoor dining.
8/23: With the continuing high level of COVID-19 transmission, a mask mandate needs to be implemented statewide to decrease community transmission.
9/6: Require masks in metro areas and counties with COVID-19 cases among students or teachers in K-12 schools.
9/13: Without statewide mask requirements, Nebraska will continue to stay at high levels of community transmission in rural and urban areas
9/13: Without statewide mask requirements, Nebraska will continue to stay at high levels of community transmission in rural and urban areas
9/20: Ensuring mask utilization statewide will prevent unnecessary transmission and deaths in vulnerable communities.
9/27: Transmission is statewide and new hospital admissions are increasing. Institute mask requirements in counties with ongoing transmission.
9/27: Transmission is statewide and new hospital admissions are increasing. Institute mask requirements in counties with ongoing transmission.
10/4: Masks must be worn indoors in all public settings and group gathering sizes should be limited.
10/11: partial or incomplete mitigation leads to prolonged community spread and increased fatalities. ... Mitigation efforts should increase to include mask wearing...
10/11: partial or incomplete mitigation leads to prolonged community spread and increased fatalities. ... Mitigation efforts should increase to include mask wearing...
10/18: Mitigation efforts must be strengthened, especially in areas with increasing cases and test positivity. These must include mask wearing...
10/25: Mitigation efforts must be increased to control community spread to include mask wearing...
10/25: Mitigation efforts must be increased to control community spread to include mask wearing...
11/8: The most recent trends, showing steep inclines across all indicators, need immediate action including mask requirements to decrease severity in morbidity and mortality among Nebraskans.
11/15: Current mitigation efforts are inadequate and must be increased. ... COVID-19 spread in Nebraska is exponential and unyielding, with hospitalizations increasing week over week. ... Serious messaging and action are needed from state leadership.
11/22: Ensure masks at all times in public ... and ensure every American understands the clear risks of ANY family or friend interactions outside of their immediate household indoors without masks. … Ensure compliance with public health orders, including wearing masks.
If anyone would like to read more, including also repeated calls for stricter limitations on the size of public gatherings and restaurants, the state's reports from 8/16-11/22 are now available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jwtliebje0fg5q5/AADQW-DU_XRuZR7nBYoFf-lva?dl=0
Contact the governor's office for future editions.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jwtliebje0fg5q5/AADQW-DU_XRuZR7nBYoFf-lva?dl=0
Contact the governor's office for future editions.
Also, thanks to @atompkins, who highlighted these reports in his daily covid-19 briefing for @Poynter and gave me the idea: https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/the-coronavirus-data-you-should-ask-for-but-also-should-not-have-to/
