March 4, 2021 The Honorable Lawrence J. Hogan, Governor of Maryland The Honorable Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals The Honorable Dennis R. Schrader, Acting Secretary of Health Subject: Legal Workers are Essential to the Rule of Law Dear Governor Hogan, Chief Judge Barbera, and Acting Secretary Schrader: This is a trying time for so many, and our state and country have been tested like never before. Nevertheless, Maryland continues to rise to the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks in no small measure to your leadership. Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of all Maryland citizens. We realize that the vaccine rollout is a major challenge after so much tragedy, and the many substantial obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate that the state is dependent upon the federal government to supply sufficient vaccine doses, and we also understand the tremendous logistical challenges involved in this effort. We support you as you continue with the herculean task of vaccinating all Marylanders against this deadly virus. While the legal community has not been on the healthcare frontlines, Maryland’s guidelines should affirm our reliance on the Rule of Law. The courts and our legal system must continue to function, and members of the bar are essential to this. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended guidelines are quite clear that those working in law are Essential Workers and fall into the COVID-19 vaccine priority 1C category. Many other states have already made clear that they are following this recommended guidance. We hope and expect that Maryland will not stray from the CDC’s parameters and will follow this recommendation. Our legal community will continue to be steadfast in its duty to the courts and to the citizens of our great state of Maryland. We ask that you assure us that our membership will be vaccinated against COVID-19 in line with national guidelines. We also ask for a potential time frame in which our members can expect to receive their vaccinations. Governor Hogan Chief Judge Barbera Acting Secretary Schrader Page 2 We strongly believe that we are all in this together. We thank you again for your service to Maryland and to its citizens. Very truly yours, Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk Delegate Erek L. Barron Delegate Jesse T. Pippy Delegate Sandy Bartlett Delegate Samuel I. (Sandy) Rosenberg Delegate Jon. S. Cardin Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes Delegate Alfred C. Carr, Jr. Delegate Haven Shoemaker Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield Delegate Stephanie Smith Delegate Debra Davis Delegate Dana Stein Delegate Kathleen M. Dumais Delegate Vaughn Stewart Delegate Wanika Fisher Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith Delegate Michele Guyton Delegate Nicole A. Williams Delegate Shaneka Henson Delegate C. T. Wilson Delegate Marc Korman Senator Brian J. Feldman Delegate Mary A. Lehman Senator Shelly Hettleman Delegate Brooke E. Lierman Senator Susan C. Lee Delegate Sara Love Senator William C. Smith, Jr. Delegate Michael Malone Senator Charles E. Sydnor, III Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr Senator Chris West cc: Michael Pedone [email protected] Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr. [email protected] Christopher Shank [email protected] Kelley O’Connor [email protected] Webster Ye [email protected].