COVID-19 Briefing: The Public Health Puzzle

Widespread testing, contact tracing, an effective treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, abundant personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers, and eventually a vaccine are all critical for controlling outbreaks and saving lives. A two-week downward trajectory in cases is the widely accepted criteria for beginning to relax social distancing orders. In this discussion, health leaders from across the region explain how these puzzle pieces fit together and the research, development, and production efforts behind securing each piece, with status updates from Maryland, Virginia, and the District.

Moderator: Jack McDougle, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade

Speakers:

  • Dr. Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, Senior Director of Infection Prevention, The Johns Hopkins Health System
  • Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
  • Dr. Laurie Forlano, Deputy Commissioner for Population Health, Virginia Department of Health
  • Fran Phillips, R.N., Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, Maryland Department of Health
  • Dr. John Davies Cole, State Epidemiologist, District of Colombia