We are in a state of emergency in Massachusetts that has not yet been officially declared.

Omicron is tearing through the state and it has created a perfect storm in our healthcare system. Emergency rooms are being overrun with not only the very ill but also many stable people looking for COVID tests or reassurance. The number of “normal” illnesses and emergencies has gone up as many delayed their followup care throughout the pandemic. Hospital staff are out with COVID in large numbers and those who are left are exhausted and discouraged.

Healthcare workers feel abandoned. Once there were field hospitals, then there were thoughts and prayers and now it's basically *crickets*. The assistance from the National Guard was a start but they are non-clinical and only can help so much. Our healthcare workers have persevered through almost two years of a grueling pandemic and are running on adrenaline. They are only human. They WILL break.

When they break, the system we rely on to care for us in an emergency will be at risk. The consequences could be quite catastrophic, and we’re getting close to that point. We have taken for granted that help will be available in our most vulnerable moments. What happens when you call 911 or go to the emergency room but they are too overwhelmed to provide you with timely and quality care?

Things are dire in hospitals across the state, particularly their emergency departments.
Declaring a state of emergency will facilitate and expedite the use of Commonwealth resources and deployment of federal and interstate resources. There has been a leadership vacuum; people have been forced to figure this out on their own. The public needs to at least know that there is a problem if we are to begin fixing it.

We strongly urge Governor Baker to declare a temporary state of emergency to free up resources and provide critical support to our demoralized healthcare workers and the systems that support them. This IS an emergency.