Friend,

 
“I don’t know if the Hoosier spirit has ever been stronger.”

In tough times, Hoosiers have always stepped up, and we’re seeing that Hoosier spirit shine now like never before.

Governor Holcomb signed an executive order today that allows for retired medical professionals and medical students to join the front lines. In the short time since that call for trained medical volunteers was made, over 5,300 Hoosiers have answered!

A fitting reminder of the importance of our medical professionals as we celebrate National Doctors Day.

 

Additionally, Governor Holcomb announced today that his executive order:

• Removes regulatory barriers to allow for better preparation for a surge in positive COVID-19 cases.
• Further clarifies elective, non-urgent surgical procedures.
• Gives the State Health Commissioner the authority to open temporary hospitals, if needed. 
  

 

Governor Holcomb also sent a letter to President Trump officially requesting a disaster declaration for Indiana so every tool and resource of the federal government will be available to assist in Indiana’s recovery efforts.

 

We also heard from members of Governor Holcomb’s task force who updated us on Indiana’s preparedness for the expected surge in coronavirus cases.

• Indiana is testing 10 times as many Hoosiers as we were just a few weeks ago.
• Hospitals have a baseline of 1,432 ICU beds, today the capacity has increased to 1,940 (a 35% increase), with more coming online daily. Goal is to double ICU space.
• The baseline number of ventilators is 1,777 with the goal to double that as well.
• Hospitals are opening more space by ending elective procedures, consolidating operations between hospitals, reopening recently-closed buildings and reusing space within each unit.

Thank you to everyone who is doing your part to stop the spread of this uber-contagious virus...just by hunkering down, you’re making a huge difference. It's literally saving lives.

Today may be National Doctors Day, but if there ever was a “year of the caregiver,” this is certainly it. We hope you can take a moment with a text, a call, or even a post on social media to thank our Hoosier doctors—and all the health care professionals fighting this pandemic—for everything they’re doing to get us through this.

And we will get through this.

Stay safe and healthy!

-Your Holcomb Crew