States Identify Innovative Ways to Meet Needs During Pandemic

By Brandy Whisman, CSG Policy Analyst

States are leading the way in innovative ideas for supporting health care workers during the pandemic. The U.S. is experiencing a shortage in resources including front-line health care workers, testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE). States are responding to the shortage with outside of the box solutions. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a new program that will assist frontline health care workers with little to no cost hotel rooms in close proximity to medical facilities. The program is prioritizing those who come in direct contact with suspected or positive cases of coronavirus. The program is intended to keep health care workers close to medical facilities while lowering the possibility that front-line health care workers will further spread the virus.

In a recent press release, Newsom praised the private sector for its assistance saying, “It is very encouraging to see our industry leaders step up and lend a hand in this effort to help us meet this moment, and support our health care workers to make sure they have resources to get to where they are needed.” The program is partly funded through FEMA assistance.

Utah has launched the #TestUtahChallenge website in order to identify cases of COVID-19. Participants complete a health assessment, answering questions about their symptoms. The health assessment may then recommend that a participant be tested if their answers match up with COVID-19 symptoms. The health assessment prioritizes who needs testing for those who are most likely to have the virus. Participation is optional.

Ohio Gov.Mike DeWine recently announced the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight Covid-19, a partnership of manufacturers, hospitals, nursing homes and JobsOhio. The alliance is exploring manufacturing options to produce products for the health care industry and working with manufacturers to help them reconfigure their facilities for personal protective equipment (PPE) production. The project is funded through the Ohio Office of Budget and Management.

Universities in several states, including Arizona, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have partnered with local makerspaces to create face shields in response to a shortage of masks for health care workers. Using a template, faculty, staff and students are working together to address the shortage. The face shields consist of a 3D printed visor, clear plastic, elastic headbands and a foam insert for the forehead.

 The University of Wisconsin-Madison and UCLA partnered to develop a website that connects organizations in need of face shields with face shield manufacturers. Shield net evaluates urgency, production rates, location and size of the order when matching manufacturers with organizations in need.