South Carolina stay-at-home order begins tonight: What does it mean?

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TO HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE. IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS GETTING READY TO APPROACH THE PODIUM NOW MAKING SURE THAT THERE’S SOME SOCIAL DISTANCING GOING ON THERE. WE SEE REPRESENTATIVES FROM DHEC AND ALSO OF COURSE THE GOVERNOR WILL SEE. TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM DHEC SO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO THIS GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER GETTING EVERYBODY IN ORDER AND AGAIN MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE APPROPRIATELY DISTANCED. THERE IS PRESSED THERE AND THEY ARE PART 2. LET’S LISTEN TO GOVERNMENT MASTER AGAIN. WE ARE TRYING TO BE SURE THAT EVERYONE. IS KEPT UP-TO-DATE. ONLY PROGRESS OF THE VIRUS AND THE PROGRESS OF OUR EFFORTS TO FIGHT THAT VIRUS WITHOUT DESTROYING JOBS IN FAMILIE AND DATES AND OTHERS THAT CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS. TODAY MOST OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS OF BECOMING MANDATES COMING ORDERS CRIMINAL PENALTIES ATTACHED I’M ISSUING A MANDATORY HOME OR WORK ORDER. A HOME OR WORK ORDER THAT GOES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW AFTERNOON TUESDAY AT 5:00 O’CLOCK P.M. CLOSE A BUSINESS. EVERYONE UNDER THIS ORDER. EVERYONE SHOULD STAY HOME. UNLESS IT WORKING. YOU’RE VISITING FAMILY OR RECREATING? OUTDOORS UNLESS THEY OBTAINING NECESSARY GOODS OR SERVICES. AND THOSE ARE THE LIMITS. CLOSING NO ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES THOSE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN CLOSED. IN PREVIOUS OWNERS ALSO WILL REQUIRING MANDATES OF THE RETAIL STORES THAT ARE OPEN AND THAT IS THEY MUST LIMIT THE CUSTOMERS. WE MUST HAVE SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THESE STORES. AND THAT SPECIFICALLY IS NO MORE. I’M SQUARE FEET IN A RETAIL BUSINESS OR 20 PERCENT CAPACITY. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE MARSHAL WHICHEVER IS LESS. A VIOLATION OF ANY OF THESE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS IS A MISDEMEANOR 30 DAYS IN JAIL AND OR $100 FINE FOR FOR EACH DAY OF VIOLATION? WHY ARE WE DOING THIS NOW? FIND OUT WAIT LATER. WHY NOT HAVE DONE IT EARLIER? THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS TIME ACCORDING TO THE DATA. ACCORDING TO THE SCIENCE ACCORDING TO THE FACTS AND ACCORDING TO THE EXPERT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE. AS WE HAVE EXPLAINED BEFORE IT IS NOW TIME TO MAKE THESE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS. REQUIRED WHY IS IT TIME BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE? FROM THE STATISTICS FROM THE FACTS FROM OBSERVATIONS TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THE ROADS TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THE WATERS. TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE STORES TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT REQUIRING WITH OUR WITH OUR REQUESTS CONCERNING SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE’VE ASKED WE’VE URGED. WE’VE SUGGESTED. THE EXPERTS HAVE SUGGESTED EVERYONE IS AWARE OF WHAT WE HAVE INFORMATION. WE HAVE DISSEMINATED. BUT THE LAST WEEK OR SO HE’S SHOWN. IT’S NOT ENOUGH. RATE OF INFECTION ON THE RYE IS ON THE RISE AND THE RATE OF NON-COMPLIANCE IS ON THE RISE. WE HOPE THIS ORDER TODAY WILL REDUCE THE RISING RATE OF INFECTION AND ALSO REDUCE THE RATE OF NON-COMPLIANCE. AND ALSO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF THESE NECESSARY ORDERS. THIS WEEK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAD OVER 200 THIS WEEK BY THE END OF THIS WEEK. WE EXPECT TO HAVE OVER 200,000. WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR ON? SOUTH CAROLINA THAT’S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. EACH ONE OF THOSE 200,000 PEOPLE LIKELY REPRESENTS A FAMILY. AND WE KNOW THERE’LL BE MORE. WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY MORE THAN THAT HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS. EITHER BECAUSE OF THE MARKET. BECAUSE OF STEPS TAKEN BY BUSINESSES AND SERVICES OR BY THE OLDEST WE HAVE ISSUED. ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY BILLS. YOU HAVE TO FEED THE CHILDREN TO HAVE TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE MANY THINGS THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE OF THESE ORDERS. IT’D BE DIFFICULT AT THE LEAST. SO WE MUST BE AGGRESSIVE. IN GOING AFTER THIS VILE THIS VIRUS. WE MUST SEEK TO DO AS LITTLE DAMAGE AS LITTLE DESTRUCTION TO THE HOMES AND THE BUSINESSES THE PEOPLE IN THEIR JOBS AS IS POSSIBLE. FINALLY AS FOLDER GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE A BUDGET WE HAVE TO HAVE LAWS WE HAVE TO HAVE BUSINESS DONE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. SO I’M URGING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. COME BACK TO WORK ON WEDNESDAY. THIS HAS BEEN PLANNED AND GET IT DONE. WE HAVE CASHIERS GOING TO WORK. WE HAVE POLICE OFFICERS GOING TO WORK. WE HAVE ALL KIND OF PEOPLE GOING TO WORK. THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOT TO COME TO WORK ON WEDNESDAY AND TAKE CARE OF THIS VITAL BUSINESS. AND FINALLY AGAIN ON EASTER SERVICES WE RECOMMEND DID THOSE CONTINUE, OF COURSE BUT WE ARE ARTISTS THE CHURCHES AND ALL THOSE TO STREAM ON INTERNET IF THE CAN. TO MEET OUTDOORS IF THEY CAN AND IF THEY CAN’T DO THOSE, PLEASE PROVIDE FOR THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE CHURCH. NOW SPEAKING OF EASTER WITH THE CHAPLAIN PLEASE COME FORWARD? I WANT US TO REMEMBER A FEW WORDS FROM THE PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION. THIS IS WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION ESTABLISH JUSTICE INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE PRAY WITH ME IF YOU’RE A PRAYING PERSON. GREAT GOD. YOU ARE A GOD OF UNITY. A GOD WHO REQUIRES US TO LOVE JUSTICE AND WHO LONGS FOR PEACE AND MERCY AMONGST HIS PEOPLE. DURING THIS TIME HELP US. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. CONTINUE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER SERVE EACH OTHER AND LET THE SPIRIT OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND AMERICA SHINE THROUGH US ALL. AS WE PATIENTLY OBEY AND PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OVER US AND PRAY FOR THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN OTHER SERVANT LEADERS SELFLESSLY T TENDING TO OUR NEEDS. I PRAY ALL THESE THINGS IN YOUR MIGHTY NAME. AMEN. >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. WE ARE REPORTING 103 — ONE HUNDRED 83 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 AS OF TODAY, WHICH BRINGS THE TOTAL CONFIRMED IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO 2232. WE HAVE SEEN AN ACCELERATED RATE OF INFECTIONS. WE ARE AVERAGING 180 SEVEN NEW INFECTIONS PER DAY REPORTED. THAT’S AN INCREASE FROM AN AVERAGE OF 90 NEW INFECTIONS PER DAY IN THE WEEK PRIOR. WE RECOGNIZE THE HARDSHIPS FACING SOUTH CAROLYN AND THUS WE CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THIS PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT TOGETHER. — SOUTH CAROLINA AS WE CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THIS PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT TOGETHER. WE ARE WORKING AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL IN CONCERT WITH OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL SOUTH CAROLINA PEOPLE. AS OF TODAY, WE CONTINUE TO WORK STAY DATED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ACUTE CARE BEDS IN THE STATE. CURRENTLY, WE ARE AT 51% CAPACITY. A TOTAL OF 21,384 TESTS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED, OF WHICH 2232, OR APPROXIMATELY 10% HAVE BEEN POSITIVE. WHILE OUR STA PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY HAS NO DELAY IN TESTING, PRIVATE FACILITIES HAVE DELAYS, WHICH WOULD INDICATE AN INCREASE IN POSITIVE CASES. WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS VENTILATOR AVAILABILITY. WE ARE DOING THIS BY PRIORITIZING RESOURCES. OUR CURRENT DATA SHOWS US THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAYING HOME HELPED COMBAT THIS BREAD OF DISEASE AND ULTIMATELY SAVE LIVES — HELP COMBAT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AND ULTIMATELY SAVE LIVES. WHILE CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY CONTINUE TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT DAILY MORTALITY COUNTS, IT PUTS US IN THE BEST POSITION TO PLAN FOR THE WORST. WE HAVE WORKED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNOR TO IMPLEMENT PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS. OUR ABILITY TO COME BACK FROM THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE WILL DEPEND ON THE ACTIONS EACH OF US TAKES. THIS IS HISTORIC AND UNPRECEDENTED. HOW WE RESPOND AS COMMUNITIES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ESTATE, WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. PLEASE DO YOUR PART, STAY AT HOME, AND LIMIT CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHERS. PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE. THANK YOU. >> I WILL BRIEFLY COVER A FEW ITEMS THAT WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE LATER TODAY. EARLIER THIS WEEKEND, THE C RELEASED INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF CLOTH MASKS AND FACE COVERS. WHILE THESE MEASURES ARE OPTIONAL, THEY MAY HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE SOCIAL DISTANCING, HANDWASHING, OR ANY OTHER MEASURES. SELF CAROLINA — SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT RUN OUT AND BUY MASKS. THIS IS AN HISTORIC AND UNPRECEDENTED OUTBREAK AND APPLIES ARE LIMITED. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE MANUFACTURED MASKS AND SURGICAL MASKS FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES WHO MAY NEED THEM THE MOST. HOMEMADE MASKS CAN REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF VIRUS ONE BREATHES OUT ALONG WITH AVOIDING TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE, MOUTH. THIS MEASURE IS RECOMMENDED TO BE USED IN SITUATIONS WHERE SOCIAL DISTANCING MAY BE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN SUCH AS GROCERY STORES AND PHARMACIES. IT IS INTENDED TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM THOSE WHO MAY BE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS AND TABLE TRUE SPREAD IT — TO SPREAD IT SHOWING SYMPTOMS. PEOPLE WEARING MASKS SHOULD NOT FEEL A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. YOU STILL NEED TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAY-AT-HOME. GROUPS NEED TO ISOLATED HOME. YOU MAY CONSIDER USING A HOMEMADE MASK TO GO OUT TO GET GROCERIES AND OTHER ITEMS. WE WILL BE POSTING A VIDEO FOR HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE MASK. ALL YOU NEED IS A PIECE OF FABRIC. FOLDED SO THAT IT FITS OVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE. ON ONE END OF THE FABRIC, COVER IT WITH A RUBBER BAND ABOUT TWO INCHES FROM THE END OF THE FABRIC. DO THE SAME ON THE OTHER END OF THE FABRIC ABOUT TWO INCHES DOWN. OVERLAP THE FABRIC ON EITHER END , GRABBED THE RUBBER BANDS, AND BULLET TO THE NOSE AND MOUTH. — PULL IT TO THE NOSE AND MOUTH. AGAIN, THAT VIDEO WILL BE ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOW TO MAKE A MASS. — MASK. >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 17. THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN WORKING WITH A STRONG COALITION OF PERSONNEL IN CONCERT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO DETERMINE THE POSSIBLE IMPACT THE CURRENT COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN COULD HAVE ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN OUR STATE. WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A TIERED RESPONSE TO INCREASE SPACE AND SUPPORT SERVICES NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE MEDICAL FACILITY. I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY GO THROUGH WHAT OUR ANALYSIS HAS REVEALED. THIS PLAN IS INTENDED TO OPERATE WITHIN THE EXISTING HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF THE STATE. IT EXPANDS HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT OUTSIDE OF EXISTING FACILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNI THE SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, SOUTH CAROLINA LABOR, LICENSING, REGULATIONS, REGIONAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION. THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS BEEN PART OF DEVELOPING THIS LAND — PLAN THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO BEGIN, LAMENTING NOW. AS WE — TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING AS WE HAVE HEARD FROM REPORTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THIS PANDEMI, THE PROJECTIONS AND NUMBERS WE ARE LOOKING AT HAVE CHANGED AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE, BUT TO BEGIN OUR PLAN , OUR EARLY PROJECTIONS ARE 3500 COVID PATIENTS THAT COULD NEED HOSPITALIZATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA BY THE EARLY PART OF MAY. WE WILL EACH AND EVERY DAY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, ADJUST THE PLAN AS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HANDLING THE RESPONSE PLAN AS WE IDENTIFY THE NEEDS. UPSTATE, MIDLANDS, LOW COUNTRY, YOU SEE THE NUMBERS AND THE CURRENT BEDS AVAILABLE. WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS TO ALLOW CAPACITY TO BE THERE. IN ADDITION, THE INTENSIVE CARE CAPACITY WE HAVE, THE NUMBER OF VENTILATORS, AND THOSE AVAILABLE. AGAIN, THESE NUMBERS WILL CHANGE ON A DAILY BASIS. WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PLAN ACCOMMODATES THOSE. AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE 5940 FOUR HOSPITAL BEDS AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WHAT I WANT US TO DO IS ADD AN ADDITIONAL 3000 BEDS TO GIVE US 9000 BEDS NO LATER THAN MAY 5 OF THIS YEAR. FROM A PLANNING PROJECTION STANDPOINT, BY APRIL 28, WE WILL ADD 1500 BEDS OF A TIER ONE OR TIER TWO CAPACITY. WE WILL GET MORE INTO DETAIL TO IDENTIFY WHAT TIER ONE OR TIER TWO IS. ON MAY 5, WE WILL ADD ANOTHER 1500 BEDS. THAT WILL GIVE US THE 3000 BED CAPACITY LEVEL BEYOND WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS, THIS IS A CONTINGENCY PLAN. THIS IS A PLAN WE WILL HAVE IN PLACE READY TO GO AS NEEDS DEVELOP. THIS PLAN IS BUILT AROUND THE CURRENT HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE, THE MIDLANDS, THE LOW COUNTRY, AND THROUGHOUT. THIS LAND HAS BEEN VETTED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND THE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH. THEY HAVE TALKED TO LEADERSHIP AT EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE STATE. LEADERS HAVE INDICATED THEY UNDERSTAND THE PLAN, BELIEVE THE PLAN IS WORKABLE, AND THEY SUPPORT THE PLAN. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO HAVE DR. ERIC OSMER SPEAK ABOUT HOW THE TIERED PLAN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. DR. OSMER IS FROM THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE. >> WHAT I WANTED TO DO IS BUILD UPON WHAT THE GENERAL SAID ABOUT A TIERED RESPONSE PLAN. THE VISION OF THIS PLAN WAS TO EXTEND THE CAPACITY OF THE CURRENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THIS IS NOTHING NEW OR NOVEL, SIMPLY EXTENSIONS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM. FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT — AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION TO COME UP WITH A SYSTEM THAT WILL GIVE US THE BED CAPACITY WE POTENTIALLY NEED. THIS IS A THREE-TIERED SYSTEM. HERE ARE THREE HOSPITALS ARE YOUR TRADITIONAL HOSPITALS — TIER THREE HOSPITALS ARE TRADITIONAL HOSPITALS WHERE WE PROVIDE CRITICAL CARE, MANAGEMENT TO PATIENTS WHO ARE VERY SICK, AND THE ROLE OF THESE HOSPITALS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE. THESE FACILITIES ARE GOING TO CARE FOR FOLKS WHO ARE SICK WITH COVID-19. THEY WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALL THE REGULAR INJURIES AND ILLNESSES THAT PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA GET. WHEN WE LOOK AT EXPANSION, WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT TIER ONE AND TIER TWO HOSPITALS. THE IDEA IS WE WILL USE THEM TO PROVIDE TREATMENT WITHIN THEIR SCOPE. TIER TWO HOSPITALS ARE VIED CARE — WILL BE PROVIDING CARE THAT IS NOT AS INTENSE AS WHAT WE PROVIDE AND TIER THREE, BUT IT WILL BE PROFESSIONAL, HIGH-QUALITY CARE. TIER ONE FACILITIES, WE ARE REALLY USING FOR QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION. AS YOU KNOW WITH COVID-19, ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL THINGS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE ISOLATED FROM OTHERS WHO ARE ILL, AND HIGH RISK CONTACTS ARE QUARANTINED. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEDICAL SURGE FACILITIES, WHAT WE’RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT IS OPENING SOME SHUTTERED HOSPITALS, CREATING TIER TWO FACILITIES IN COLISEUM’S, ARENAS, AND ALSO CREATING TENT HOSPITALS IF NEEDED. ALL OF THESE ARE OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. THE TIER ONE FACILITIES ARE REALLY DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SELF-CARE. THEY DO NOT REQUIRE INTENSE MEDICAL TREATMENT. THEY REQUIRE SELF-CARE AND WE WILL HAVE A LIGHT AT A COAL FOOTPRINT AT TIER ONE FACILITIES TO ASSIST AND MONITOR THESE PATIENTS. SHOULD THEY BECOME WORSE, THEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED AS THEY WOULD BE IN ANY OTHER EVENT TO A REGULAR TIER THREE HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION AND TREATMENT. WE BELIEVE THIS WILL ALLOW US TO INCREASE CAPACITY AND SERVE PATIENTS APPROPRIATELY AND SAFELY. >> I WOULD NOW LIKE TO ASK PAT CAWLEY, CEO OF USC AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR HEALTH AFFAIRS TO DISCUSS THE STAFFING CHALLENGES WE WILL FACE IF WE BUILD THIS SURGE PLAN. >> THANK YOU. THIS PLAN, ON BEHALF OF ALL SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS, I WANT TO BRIEFLY STATE THAT WE FEEL WE ARE READY. I WANT TO SUPPORT WHAT DR. HOT HOFFMAN SAID — WHAT DR. HOFFMAN SAID. EVERY HOSPITAL IS ON BOARD WITH THIS PLAN. IT’S EASY TO SUPPORT BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF OUR NORMAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. IN NORMAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, WE ARE READY TO SEARCH. THIS MIGHT BE A DEEPER, GREATER SURGE THAN USUAL, BUT WE ARE READY. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF WORK ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS OVER THE PAST WATER WEEKS, — PAST FOUR WEEKS, AND I KNOW WE WILL BE READY. WE KNOW THIS WILL BE TOUGH. IT WILL NOT BE EASY. WE ARE READY TO SURGE A 400 BED HOSPITAL TO ANOTHER 150 BEDS. WE HAVE A SECOND FACILITY. WE ARE GOING TO USE THE FITNESS CENTER A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL TO SURGE ANOTHER 250 BEDS, IF NEEDED. ONCE AGAIN, THIS WILL REQUIRE A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF PERSONNEL. WE THINK WE ARE READY. WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING AND PLANNING HARD. THIS IS GOING TO TAKE OUR NURSES, OUR FRONTLINE DOCTORS, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR FELLOWS, OUR ENTIRE TEAM TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PATIENTS. I FEEL CONFIDENT WE ARE READY. IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH MONTH. THE SURGE IS READY TO LAST FOR A WHILE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT HOSPITALS ARE READY TO WORK INDIVIDUALLY AS WELL AS TOGETHER. ONCE AGAIN, THE MESSAGES WE ARE READY — MESSAGE IS WE ARE READY TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN IT COMES. >> AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LICENSING AND REGULATION, WE ARE PAIRED TOO HOT THOSE IN THIS LAND — WE ARE PREPARED TO SUPPORT HOSPITALS IN THIS PLAN IN LICENSING HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND BUILDING CAPACITY WHEN AND WHERE IT MIGHT BE NEEDED. THE AGENCY AND ITS LICENSING BOARD HAS BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY TO TAKE MEASURED RESPONSES AND ADOPT INCREMENTAL FLEXIBILITIES TO ENSURE THAT SOUTH CAROLINA HAS THE RESOURCES TO COMBAT THE VIRUS WHILE STILL ENSURING CITIZENS ARE PROVIDED WITH APPROPRIATE CARE AND BENEFIT FROM THOSE FLEXIBILITIES AREA FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE HACK, THE AGENCY WAIVED STATE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE. THIS ALLOWS ADDITIONAL HEALTH-CARE WORKERS TO COME TO SOUTH CAROLINA. IT ALSO EXPANDS TELEHEALTH. WE HAVE RELAXED REGULATIONS SO THE PROVIDERS IN NEIGHBORING STATES CAN TREAT SOUTH CAROLINA PATIENTS VIA TELEHEALTH. THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS HAS RELAXED REGULATIONS ON TELEHEALTH TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY TO CARE. THIS WILL ALLOW DOCTORS, PHYSICIANS, AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TO WRITE SCHEDULED TO IN SCHEDULE THREE MEDICATIONS BY TELEMEDICINE WITHOUT FIRST GOING THROUGH THE MEDICAL BOARD. IT WILL ALLOW HOSPICE PROVIDERS WHO — TO CONDUCT TELEHEALTH EXAMINATIONS IN LIEU OF TRADITIONALLY REQUIRED IN PERSON EXAMINATIONS WITHIN 15 DAYS OF PRESCRIBING MEDICINE. IT EXPANDS THE USE OF TELEMEDICINE TO TREAT INDIVIDUALS WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER, WITH MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT. WE HAVE ALSO EXPANDED ACCESS TO TELEMEDICINE BY EXPANDING TELEHEALTH TO OTHER PROFESSIONS SUCH AS OPTOMETRY, DENTAL, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND TELE-COUNSELING FOR COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS, TO NAME A FEW. WE HAVE EXPEDITED EMERGENCY, TEMPORARY IN STATE LICENSURE FOR BOARD OF NURSING AND BOARD OF MEDICAL. WE HAVE TAKEN MEASURES TO HELP THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES TO HELP US COMBAT THIS VIRUS. MANY CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS REQUIRED BY PROFESSIONALS ARE NOW ALLOWED ONLINE. EXTENDED RENEWAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2020. GIVING NURSING SCHOOLS FULL DISCRETION TO ALLOW ALL CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE DONE BY SIMULATION SO THOSE STUDENTS CAN STILL GRADUATE. WE HAVE RELAXED OTHER IN-PERSON SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO CONTINUE THE PATH OF EARNING A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE. WE HAVE ALSO ISSUED PRACTICE GUIDANCE TO LICENSES FROM THE BOARDS THAT ARE PROVIDED THROUGH LINKS ON THE WEBSITE ON THE AGENCY’S WEBSITE TO HELP THOSE PRACTITIONERS PRACTICE SAFELY. ALL OF THESE MEASURES ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. THERE IS AN ALERT AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE THAT YOU CAN CLICK ON AND SEE ACTIONS BY EVERY BOARD AND EVERY AREA WITHIN THE AGENCY TO HELP WITH THIS PANDEMIC. THAT LINK IS UPDATED EVERY DAY AS NEW MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO COMBAT THIS PANDEMIC. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, GENERAL. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE THE WHOLE TEAM ON THE FIELD. I WANT TO THANK THESE DOCTORS AND THEIR STAFF, NURSES, PHYSICIANS, ALL THOSE ON THE FRONTLINE. IT’S MUCH LIKE A WAR. THEY ARE ON THE FRONTLINE. LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAME GOES WITH THEM. THEY ARE RUSHING INTO SITUATIONS THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. REPRESENTED HERE TODAY AND DISPLAYED AS A LARGE — IS A LARGE PART OF THE EFFORT WE ARE MAKING IN PUBLIC HEALTH. BUT WE ARE ALSO HEARING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE WORKFORCE AS WELL AS COMMERCE, AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH. WE KNOW ISOLATION IS FOSTERED BY THESE ORDERS ON THIS PANDEMIC. THAT COULD EXACERBATE EXISTING PROBLEMS. I REPEAT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE OUT OF WORK FOR VARIOUS REASONS. WE ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO SEE THAT ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SOFTEN THAT BLOW, THAT ECONOMIC BLOW, TO PROTECT FAMILIES, PROTECT JOBS, AND GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK ARE BEING TAKEN. WE ARE TAKING MEASURED, DELIBERATIVE STEPS. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN HERE IS PART OF A PLAN THAT IS WORKING AND EXPANDING. THERE WILL BE MORE STEPS TAKEN IN THE FUTURE. SO, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM ANYONE? YES. >> YOUR OFFICE HAS SAID YOU QUESTION THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF A GOVERNOR’S ABILITY TO TELL PEOPLE TO STAY HOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT NOW? >> I THINK THE SAME OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF SUCH ORDERS THAT RESTRICT THE LIBERTY AND RIGHTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PROTECTED BY THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. THEY ARE THEREFORE — THERE FOR SITUATIONS SUCH AS THIS, SO THAT WE DON’T FORGET. I WAS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY FOR 44, 40 FIVE YEARS. SEVERAL YEARS AS U.S. ATTORNEY IN SEVERAL YEARS AS ATTORNEY GENERAL. WHAT YOU CAN DO UNDER THE LAW, WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO, WE ARE DOING THAT IN THIS SITUATION. WE WANT TO BE SURE WHAT WE’RE DOING IS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAW, AND THAT IS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE, HAVING FULL REGARD FOR DO PRICELESS — FOR DUE PROCESS, BUT STAYING WITHIN THE GUARD RAILS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION. THERE IS A RIGHT TO PRIVACY. WE ARE LIMITING THE IMPACT OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE. WE KNOW THIS IS PROTECTING THEIR HEALTH, WITHOUT GOING BEYOND THAT AND DESTROYING MORE THAN WE ARE PROTECT THEM WHILE STILL STICKING THE MANDATES OF THE CONSTITUTION. THE EVIDENCE AND FACTS THAT HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO TODAY, THE RISING NONCOMPLIANCE, RISING INFECTION RATE, THINGS THE CDC AND THE LAST FEW DAYS HAS RECOMMENDED, FACE MASKS, ETC., DECLARING CERTAIN STATES, TRAVEL ADVISORIES IN CERTAIN STATES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS LEAD TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS IN THE CONSTITUTION TO USE LIMITED MEANS, WITHOUT GOING ANY FURTHER THAN NECESSARY, TO PROTECT THE LIBERTY OF THE PEOPLE WITHOUT WRITING THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS. THAT IS WHAT WE’RE DOING TODAY. I AM CONFIDENT WHAT WE’RE DOING TODAY IS LEGAL CONSTITUTION AND IS SIMILARLY PROTECTING PEOPLE WITHOUT DESTROYING FAMILIES. >> WHY NOT JUST CALL IT A STAY-AT-HOME ORDER? >> WELL, WE HAVE BEEN URGING PEOPLE TO STAY AT HOME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. WE HAVE SIGNS ON THE HIGHWAYS. THEY SAY STAY AT HOME. YOU CAN CALL IT WHAT YOU LIKE, BUT IT SAYS STAY AT HOME. WORK AT HOME. HOME AND WORK. THOSE ARE THE PLACES TO BE. THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ESPOUSING AND PROMOTING FROM THE BEGINNING. >> YOU ENCOURAGED CHURCHES TO DO THEIR SERVICES ONLINE. A CHURCH IN CHARLSTON YESTERDAY HAD A SERVICE WITH 100 PEOPLE. ARE YOU GOING TO ASK TO STOP THOSE SERVICES AND WHY OR WHY NOT? >> I CANNOT SPEAK FOR OTHER GOVERNORS, BUT THIS GOVERNOR BELIEVES IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT. THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT. WE ARE ENCOURAGING PASTORS AND OTHERS IN ANY HOUSE OF WORSHIP, ANY CONGREGATION OF ANY KIND, TO USE SOCIAL DISTANCING. GO ONLINE. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN COLUMBIA IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE THE WHOLE CHOIR SINGING, BUT IT WORKS. IT’S GOOD. YOU CAN DO IT THAT WAY. OR HAVE THE SERVICE OUTSIDE WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING, OR IF YOU MUST HAVE A CONGREGATION UNDER THE ROOF, USE THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING. THAT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT. >> HOW ARE YOU ALL PLANNING TO ENFORCE THIS NEW MANDATE? >> IT IS A CRIME TO VIOLATE IT. IT IS A MISDEMEANOR, PUNISHABLE BY 30 DAYS IN JAIL OR UP TO $100 EVERY DAY IN VIOLATION. LAW ENFORCEMENT, ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CAN ENFORCE IT JUST AS ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CAN ENFORCE THE THREE OR MORE RULE. IF THERE ARE THREE MORE PEOPLE CONGREGATING IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, VIOLATING THE — ENDANGERING PUBLIC HEALTH OR A PUBLIC ORDER, THEY CAN BE ARRESTED AND GO TO JAIL AND PAY A FINE EVERY TIME THEY DO IT. WE HAD JUST IN THE LAST WEEKEND, THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WAS OUT ON THE WATERWAYS. THEY BUSTED UP OVER 2500 BOATS OUT ON THE WATER AND GAVE A NUMBER OF CITATIONS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES. WE KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE. THEY ARE CLEAR. WE HAVE TO DO IT. IF PEOPLE DO NOT COMPLY, WE WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND WE WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP AFTER THAT IF NECESSARY TO PROTECT PEOPLE. THAT’S WHAT WE WILL DO. WE ARE NOT GOING TO VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE C1 >> WHAT LEVEL DO YOU WANT TO SEE MOTOR TRAFFIC — WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT? >> YOU CAN GET THE PERCENTAGES OF — OVER WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK AND AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. THAT WAS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION TODAY. IN SOME PLACES, SOME HIGHWAYS, INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, TRAFFIC ACTUALLY WENT UP MORE THAN USUAL. IT WENT PLACES. THAT TELLS US THAT THERE IS A NIBBLE — A OF NONCOMPLIANCE. PEOPLE ARE MOVING AROUND. THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ADDED TO THIS INCREASING INCIDENT REPORTS. THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT WE KNOW ABOUT. WE ARE COUNTING THE CASES WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT — WE ARE NOT COUNTING THE CASES WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT. THERE IS NO PRECISE PERCENTAGE. WE WANT TO SEE IT GO DOWN. WE DON’T WANT TO SEE IT GO UP. WE WANT TO SEE THE PEOPLE INTERACTING — REDUCING THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS. THAT IS WHAT MUST HAPPEN IF WE ARE GOING TO STOP THIS VIRUS. IT IS EASY TO DO. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FOLLOW THE RULES, FOLLOW THE RULES THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED. INCLUDING STAYING AT HOME AS A MANDATE PUNISHABLE BY THE LAW UNDER THE RULES WE ARE ANNOUNCING TODAY. IF EVERYONE WHO WOULD DO THAT, THE RATE OF INFECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. PERHAPS WE WON’T GET TO WORST-CASE SCENARIOS. WE HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS FOR WEEKS. MAYBE WE WON’T GET THERE. WE HOPE WE WON’T. PEOPLE DON’T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY — IF PEOPLE DON’T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, WE WILL GET THERE. IN THE BACK. >> HAS COLONIAL LIFE CONTACTED? >> EVERYONE HAS BEEN CONSIDERED. THE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED, I DON’T KNOW IF IT INCLUDES THAT ARENA. >> WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE. THERE ARE 18 FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE. THESE FACILITIES — WE LOOK AT EACH FACILITY. WE ARE UTILIZING THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. WE ARE DOING THIS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY NOW. WE ARE UTILIZING SOME GUIDELINES. WE ARE USING ENGINEERS FROM THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, NATIONAL GUARD, STATE GUARD. THE FACILITIES HAVE TO BE ADA COMPLIANT. WE HAVE TO HAVE ADEQUATE RESTROOMS AND SHOWER FACILITIES. WE CAN CONTRACT AND PUT THOSE IN PLACE IF THOSE ARE NECESSARY. WE MUST HAVE APPROPRIATE FIRE SYSTEMS. WE MUST BE FREE FROM LEAD AND ASBESTOS. WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE HOTELS BUILT AFTER 1890 THAT MADE THAT CRITERIA. THEY HAVE TO HAVE EMERGENCY BACKUP POWER. WE ARE WORKING THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE EACH OF THOSE AREAS EXPANDED AS NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE WHAT THE NEED MAY BE, SPIKES AND SURGES. WE WILL LOOK TO SEE WHERE WE NEED THOSE FACILITIES BUILT. WE ALSO HAVE HOSPITAL TENTS AT OUR DISPOSAL AVAILABLE TO US. THROUGH D-HEC, THEY HAVE OTHER HOSPITAL BED TENTS THAT WE CAN EXPAND IN THAT CAPACITY. WE CAN HAVE THAT UP AND OPERATIONAL FAIRLY QUICK. ANY OTHER BIG FACILITIES, WE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO DETERMINE WHERE THOSE WILL BE AND GET STARTED ON THOSE FACILITIES. >> DO YOU KNOW IF COLONIAL LIFE ARENA IS ONE OF THOSE SPECIFICS — SPECIFIC ARENAS? >> WE WILL CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO DETERMINE WHATEVER NEEDS ARE, THE CAPABILITIES ARE. >> REFERRING TO THE SHUTTERED HOSPITALS THAT YOU MAY REOPEN. WHICH HOSPITALS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? >> WE HAVE FOR FACILITIES THAT WERE RECENTLY SHUT. TWO OF THOSE FACILITIES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO US DUE TO HAVING BEEN REPURPOSED OR FOUND UNDETECTABLE LEVELS OF MOLD. THE OTHER TWO WILL CONTINUE TO BE LOOKED AT. QUICK SWITCH TO — >> WGHICH TWO >> THE FAIRFIELD AND THE MARLBOROUGH. >> WHO WILL STAFF THESE HOSPITALS? >> THE STAFFING — ALL OF THIS WILL BE DONE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CURRENT HOSPITAL SYSTEM. ANY SUPPORT TYPE NEEDS THAT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO BUILD UP THESE EXTERNAL FACILITIES, ASSETS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL GUARD COULD BE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THAT. WE COULD CONTRACT SOME OF THOSE CAPABILITIES AS NEEDED. WE WILL WORK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS. THE OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS NECESSARY TO RUN UP A FACILITY MAYBE IN THE GUARD OR CONTRACTORS. THAT IS A MIDRANGE PROJECTION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT PROJECTIONS EACH AND EVERY DAY. OUR SYSTEM IS SCALABLE. IF YOU LOOK AT THAT NUMBER, BASED ON THE CURRENT AVAILABILITY OF HOSPITAL BEDS, WE ARE CONFIDENT WE CAN MEET THAT. WE WANT TO HAVE THAT CONTINGENCY AVAILABLE IN CASE THOSE NUMBERS DO SEE WHAT WE ARE WORKING AGAINST. >> THAT THAT PROCESS HAS ALREADY STARTED. ALL OF THE FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY WORKING TO ENHANCE THEIR CAPABILITY TO EXPAND. WE TALKED WITH THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND DR. ADAMS. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS NOT A USUAL OPERATION THAT HOSPITALS DO. IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WITH THE HURRICANES WE HAVE, THIS TYPE OF PLAN HAS BEEN USED BEFORE. WHAT WE ARE DOING DIFFERENT IS USING SOME ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO HELP EXPAND ON THAT FOOTPRINT. FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, WE LIKE TO HAVE THESE TIERED FACILITIES WITHIN A REASONABLE GEOGRAPHIC SPACE OF THE PRIMARY HOSPITAL. FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, FIVE MILES, THAT NUMBER WAS ARBITRARY TO GET US STARTED. WE’LL SEE — WE WILL ADJUST OUR PLAN TO SUIT THOSE NEEDS. >> ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR THE GENERAL? >> THIS IS A JOINT QUESTION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEETING A LOT FOR MEDICAL STAFF. — NEEDING A LOT MORE MEDICAL STAFF. HOW ARE WE GOING TO GEAR UP THESE FACILITIES? >> IT IS TRUE, THIS COVID-19 IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE ECONOMY. IT IS AFFECTING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS IN TWO WAYS. IN ONE WAY, WE ARE DEALING WITH SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. IN ANOTHER WAY, WE ARE DEALING WITH THE LARGE SURGE OF PATIENTS COMING. WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS ADJUSTMENT RIGHT NOW. WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH WILL NOT AFFECT FRONT-LINE NURSES, FRONT-LINE DOCTORS. WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT IS PARTICULARLY SUPPORT STAFF THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE FEEL DON’T NEED TO BE PART OF THAT SURGE. THOSE ARE THE STAFF PREDOMINATELY AFFECTED. I WILL JUST REEMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS NOT AFFECTING FRONTLINE NURSES, RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS, ANYBODY THAT PROVIDES DIRECT PATIENT CARE. INCLUDING OUR DOCTORS AS WELL. >> WHAT ABOUT STAFF — YOU ARE SAYING THAT STAFF IS NOT BEING LAID OFF OR FURLOUGHED? >> THAT STAFF HAS ALREADY BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS. THEY ARE AFFECTED BY THE GREAT DECREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, SURGERIES, AMBULATORY VISITS. THEY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IN THAT THE NUMBER OF SHIFTS THEY MAY BE COVERING IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS HAS GREATLY DECREASED. THAT MAY BE OK BECAUSE IN THE NEXT 4-6 WEEKS, THEY WILL PROBABLY GREATLY INCREASE. THERE HAS BEEN THIS TIME WHEN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS THEY TYPICALLY WORK IS DOWN. IT WILL GO MUCH HIGHER IN THE NEXT 4-6 WEEKS. >> ARE THEY CONFIDENT THEY CAN BE HIRED BACK AFTER BEING TEMPORARILY LAID OFF? >> WE ARE NOT LAYING OFF. NOT AT YOUR MESSY — NOT AT USC. >> CAN YOU GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHO IS BEING LAID OFF? >> THERE ARE OFTEN PEOPLE IN THE BACKGROUND THAT WORK – REGISTRIES IN THE BACKGROUND, BILLING PEOPLE. TINGS THAT ARE OFTEN IN THE BACKGROUND THAT DURING SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHERE WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE PATIENT CARE, IN AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE MUST BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE FRONTLINE WORKERS. >> ANYMORE QUESTIONS FOR THE DOCTOR? >> WHERE DOES PRISMA HEALTH STAND ON THE TESTING BACKLOG? IS THAT CAUGHT UP? >> TESTING IS VERY CAUGHT UP AS OF TODAY. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HECK — D-HEC AND OUR INTERNAL LABS. >> ANYMORE QUESTIONS >> — ANY MORE QUESTIONS? >> IS IT GOOD TO HAVE A FRIEND IN A HIGH PLACE? WHY DO YOU THINK THAT SOUTH CAROLINA GOT EVERYTHING IT ASKED FOR? >> WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR EVERYTHING AVAILABLE. THE WAY IT IS SENT OUT IS BY POPULATION. ALSO, NEED ARE THE FACTORS. THE ADMINISTRATION, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING OVERTIME TO GET FACTORIES AND PRODUCERS TO COME ONLINE AND SWITCH FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER. WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. PEOPLE ARE COMING OVER AND MAKING MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS AND TESTS AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS. IT IS AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD EFFORT. BUT WE TALK WITH THE FEDERAL OFFICIALS EVERY DAY. SOMEONE IN OUR GROUP IS ON THE PHONE EVERY MINUTE DURING THE DAY TALKING TO THE FEDERAL OFFICIALS. MAKING SURE THEY KNOW WHATEVER NEEDS ARE. THEY ARE SENDING US EVERYTHING WITHIN THEIR POWER. A LOT OF THE THINGS WE NEED, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, JUST LIKE THE HOSPITALS, WE DON’T JUST GET IT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WHILE I ASSURE YOU THAT OUR TEAM IS WORKING AROUND-THE-CLOCK TO GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED, ONE YEAR AGO, THE D-HEC RAN OUT OF TH ERE — THE RE-AGENT NEEDED FOR THE TEST. WE MADE THAT NEED KNOWN AND OVERNIGHT WE GOT IT. EVERYTHING IS ALERT. THERE IS PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT, UNDER CLIMATE BENEFITS, LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, LOANS FOR SOLE PROPRIETORS, LOANS FOR 1099 OR UNEMPLOYMENT. 1099, SMALL BUSINESSES. THOSE THAT ARE USUALLY NOT A PART OF THE UNAPPOINTED SCHEME. THEY ARE NOW. WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FEDERAL REALLY — FEDERAL REGULATIONS KNOW WHAT WE NEED HERE. SENATOR GRAHAM, SENATOR SCOTT, ALL OF THE OTHERS SEE THAT ANYTHING THAT IS AVAILABLE, WE WILL GET. >> YOU MADE IN ORDER TO CLOSE NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES BUT GUN STORES HAVE STAYED OPEN. WHY ARE THEY CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL? >> IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. THAT IS THE SECOND AMENDMENT. >> STEFAN QUESTION, ARE WE LOSING NURSES AND FROM THE PEOPLE TO NEW YORK? ARE WE TRACKING THAT? >> AS HAS BEEN EXPLAINED, WE ARE NOT LOSING, WE WILL LET THESE DENMAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >> WE HAVE SEEN SOME NURSES AND DOCTORS GO. I THINK THEY’RE WANTING TO GO TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED. WE HAVE SEEN SOME LOW-LEVEL BUT I WOULD NOT SAY LARGE NUMBERS AT THIS POINT. >> CAN YOU COMMENT ON WHAT TYPE OF STAFF HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED? >> WE ARE IN THE SAME POSITION AS UNSC. THIS IS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR HEALTH CARE. WE ARE TAKING THE EXACT SAME APPROACH AS THEY ARE. >> I DON’T BELIEVE IT IS AFFECTING OUR READINESS. OUR FRONTLINE STAFF REMAINS INTACT, COMMITTED, ON-THE-JOB. IT IS NOT IMPACTING READINESS AT ALL. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER LAYOFFS OR FURLOUGHS PLANNED? >> THAT IS OUT OF MY LANE. >> WHEN WILL THE CARES ACT BE AVAILABLE WHEN THEY FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT? >> THE $600? YOU HAVE THE CORONAVIRUS ASSISTANCE ACT AND THEN THE VARIOUS ACTS BUT THE $600 PER PERSON FOR UNAPPOINTED INSURANCE WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JUST NOW BECAUSE OF REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MET IN WASHINGTON FOR THE DISPERSION OF THOSE FUNDS. THAT IS BEING MET NOW. THAT MONEY WILL BE ADDED TO EVERYONE’S UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK WHO FILES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT UNDER THE STATE UNAPPOINTED SYSTEM. FOR OTHERS, THE $1200 PER PERSON, THAT IS AUTOMATIC FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. YOU HAVE TO BE KNOWN AS A TAXPAYER. IF YOU ARE NOT A TAXPAYER, YOU CAN FILE AS A TAXPAYER. THE EXTENSION IS THIS YEAR. IF YOU HAVE NOT FILED YET THIS YEAR, WHAT THEY WILL USE WAS — IS WHAT WAS ON THE BOX — ON THE BOOKS LAST YEAR. IT WOULD GO DIRECTLY IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. THEY WILL HAVE TO SEND YOU A CHECK. ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE BEING HANDLED. THERE WERE SOME RESTRICTIONS AND RULES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED OUT AND FINALIZED AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN, THEY WILL BE VERY SOON. THOSE CHECKS SHOULD START FLOWING IMMEDIATELY. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT. WE WERE PREPARING TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO OURSELVES IN ORDER TO TRY TO HELP FILL THAT GAP. NOW, THE CHECKS, THE MONEY, THE SUPPORT SHOULD BE COMING. THERE ARE AMPLE AVENUES OPEN TO EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED. GO TO THOSE WEBSITES, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LOOK AT THOSE. THERE ARE LOANS COMING THROUGH OFF THE PRIVATE BANKS AS WELL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. >> ARE YOU STILL DOING UNNECESSARY SURGERIES TO KEEP THE CASH FLOW MOVING IN? >> WE POSTPONED ANYTHING THAT CAN BE POSTPONED. WE ARE ONLY DOING EMERGENCY SURGERIES. THAT MEANS EMERGENCIES. WE ARE DOING ONLY SURGERIES THAT WE CALL URGENT AND LESS THAN A WEEK. THAT MEANS IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY BUT IT SHOULD GET DONE IN THE NEXT WEEK, WE ARE DOING THOSE. WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS WE HAVE A THIRD CATEGORY CALLED URGENT, LESS THAN A MONTH. WE ARE STARTING TO GET INTO THAT GROUP. WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH THAT OFF BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH THAT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THOSE. ANYTHING OVER FOUR WEEKS THAT IS ELECTIVE, WE ARE NOT DOING. >> WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN THE COMING WEEKS? THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS PUT A GRIM OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS FOR OWN NATION. WHAT CAN WE LOOK FOR IN SOUTH CAROLINA? WHAT ARE THE PROJECTIONS? >> WE HAVE PROJECTIONS BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ANSWER SPECIFICALLY WHAT TO EXPECT. OUR PROJECTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMMENTED ON. THEY ARE BASED ON A VARIETY OF MODELS. WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING FROM PROJECTING CASE REPORTS BASED ON WHO HAS BEEN TESTED. WE ARE LOOKING AT PROJECTIONS BASED ON WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE EXPERIENCED. OUR PRELIMINARY PROJECTIONS BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR MODEL SUGGESTS THAT WE MAY SEE A PEAK IN DEATHS IN THE FIRST PART OF MAY. FOR THAT INFORMATION, IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO ESTIMATE HOSPITALIZATION USE, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT USE AND VENTILATORY USE. WHAT THAT NUMBER IS IS HARD TO DEFINED — DEFINE BECAUSE THERE IS A RANGE. WORST-CASE AREA AND A BEST CASE SCENARIO. AS THE GENERAL HAS ALREADY COMMENTED, WE RANGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT. THAT HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THIS HOSPITAL PLANNING. >> THIS WILL HAVE TO BE THE LAST QUESTION. >> WHAT IS THIS THAT — STATUS OF DATA LAW — DATA RELEASING? >> YOU ARE CORRECT, WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE STARTED DURING THIS LAST WEEKEND. A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH WE CAN ENROLL THEM ELECTRONICALLY. DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF SYSTEM, THERE IS NOT 1911 SYSTEM AROUND THE STATE. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF 911 SYSTEMS. SOME WILL HAVE ACCESS THROUGH A QUERY METHOD, AN INTERNET-BASED QUERY METHOD. IF THEY ARE RESPONDING TO AN ADDRESS, THEY CAN ENTER IT AND BE TOLD THAT IS A RECENT COVID RESIDENCE. THERE WAS A COVID POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL OR NO, THERE WAS NOT AT THAT ADDRESS. THERE IS ALSO A MODEL WE ARE PURSUING. SEVERAL COUNTIES ARE WORKING TO PILOT THIS WITH. IN ADDITION TO THE 911 CENTER MODEL, THERE IS A MODEL FOR THE RESPONDING UNIT TO DO THE SAME THING AND PROVIDE A QUERY. THERE IS ALSO WHERE THE LOGIC COUNTIES, THE COUNTIES WITH MORE 91 OWN CAPABILITIES WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT MORE DIRECTLY INTEGRATES WITH THEIR 911 SYSTEMS. WE HAVE SEVERAL MODELS WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK. AS THE WEEK COMES TO A CLOSE, WE SHOULD BE ENDING THE WEEK INTO THE WEEKEND. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHARE ALL THAT DATA ELECTRONICALLY. ALL SIDES MUST DO IT IN A VERY SECURE WAY SO WE ARE NOT JUST HANDING ANYBODY A LIST. IT WILL BE THROUGH A QUERY-BASED SYSTEM. >> ONE MORE SIMPLE QUESTION. HAVE YOU BEEN TESTED FOR THE VIRUS YET? >> NO. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE PROTOCOL. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING. PARTICULARLY TODAY. WE APPRECIATE THE WORK. PLEASE TELL THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES AND ALL THE REST HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE WHAT THEY’RE DOING. ALSO, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS ARE READY FOR A SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE TO RUSH INTO DANGER, NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO FIND. WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AS MR. DAVIDSON JUST MENTIONED. FOR THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN. I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT IT IS THE ELDERLY THAT THE FACTS, SCIENCE AND DATA SHOW ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS. THOSE OLDER PEOPLE, THOSE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS, THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF THOSE ARE UP IN THE 90% RANGE. THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT SUCCUMB TO THIS ILLNESS. BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR MOM, YOUR DAD, THE OLDER PEOPLE, BE CAREFUL. REMEMBER THE SOCIAL ISOLATION INVOLVED IN THIS AS IT INCREASES AS WE GO ALONG. THE SOCIAL ISOLATION HAS AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE. THAT IS WHY — EVERY RESOURCE WE HAVE IN SOUTH CARO