This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.
This week, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. The President announced some extraordinary measures to minimize travel and encourage “social distancing.” The NBA suspended games for the rest of its season. So did the Maine Red Claws.
At the time of this recording Friday afternoon, Maine CDC has confirmed two presumptive positive tests for the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19): one woman in her 50s from Androscoggin County who is in self-isolation at her home; and a man in his 50s who was screened at a MaineHealth outpatient clinic and is in self-isolation at home.
I know this news can be concerning, but the Maine CDC has been preparing for COVID-19 cases in our state since the end of last year.
Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Maine CDC, has assigned more than 30 of his staff to work on preparedness and response. I have convened a Coronavirus Response Team, composed of key department heads headed by Dr. Shah, to coordinate our state’s preparedness and response efforts. Our Administration has been in constant contact with public health and medical professionals, federal and state, hospital systems, long-term care folks, school officials, EMS, county and local governments, tribal governments, and many others to provide guidance and recommendations.
We are running the tests for this virus through our State laboratory and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week awarded Maine $4.6 million to help us protect the health of Maine people and our communities.
This week I also announced other steps.
- I proclaimed an insurance emergency to improve access to care and to require private health insurance plans to cover costs related to coronavirus testing;
- I have suspended all non-essential out-of-state work-related travel by State employees; and
- I have recommended, on the advice of Maine CDC, that non-essential large, indoor gatherings of 250 people or more be postponed in order to delay a potential coronavirus outbreak and to substantially reduce its spread.
I want to be clear we are not recommending to close Maine schools, although Maine communities may prepare for that possibility. This is a rapidly changing situation and I am continuing to consult with experts at every level on the next best course of action.
Our approach is based on science and fact, not fear. On compassion and caution and the hope that we can as a community limit the impact of COVID-19 on the people of Maine.
Finally, I want to emphasize the basics once again.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds and, if they are not available, soap and water, then use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid shaking hands as a greeting. I’ve tried to do that myself and it’s not easy, but I am.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay at home if you are sick.
- Avoid visiting older people or those with chronic health conditions in person to protect their health and safety.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw that tissue in the trash. Wipe down the things you touch often like door handles and phone screens, and cellphones, and home and workplace equipment with those disinfecting wipes.
- If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath – which are symptoms of a virus – please stay home and call your doctor’s office. Maine CDC is in touch with medical providers across the state, and they are ready to advise you on the phone about what you might do.
- And if you have recently traveled to Italy, South Korea, China or Iran or have symptoms, stay at home and avoid social contact for 14 days.
If you have general questions about the virus, call 211 or email info@211maine.org to get information at any time of day.
We have planned and prepared for all eventualities and are now focusing on reducing the opportunity for this virus to spread. In the meantime, I ask the people of Maine to continue to do what Maine people have always done: calmly prepare, take care of yourselves, be patient, be cautious and be diligent.
We love you all. Please stay safe. Stay healthy. We will get through this.
This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.