Testing in prisons Useful numbers

I want to thank Gov. Larry Hogan for recently issuing an executive order requiring all residents and staff members at Maryland nursing homes to be tested for the coronavirus, regardless of whether they show symptoms.

As a delegate who represents District 32 in Anne Arundel County, which contains a number of correctional facilities, it is my hope that the governor will require universal testing in these facilities as well. I am concerned about the state workers, i.e., correctional officers, clerks, doctors, nurses, and other essential employees who work at these prisons. With a recent outbreak of the virus in the state facilities, it is important that we protect the workers as well as those they come in contact with.

Every day they serve the residents of our county and provide necessary services. Each workday, they are returning home to their families and communities. We want to make sure that they are tested and provided with the equipment that they will need to do their jobs.I am working with my colleagues on this important issue and I want to ensure my constituents that our delegation in the Maryland General Assembly is working to address their concerns.

Universal testing in congregant facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, prisons) is a necessity and I call on Hogan to issue an executive order mandating it. Again, I want to publicly thank our first responders, correctional officers, healthcare providers, custodians, and all of the essential workers who help to keep us safe.

They make us proud! Del. MIKE ROGERS Laurel

Due to the almost random nature of testing and the impossibility of everyone getting tested, reading a daily update of the number of new infections does not provide useful information.

A more useful metric for gauging the impact of coronavirus on Maryland would be:

■ Total number of tests administered during the period.

■ Number of those tests that were negative.

■ Number of those tests that were positive.

Seeing the percentage of the sample from each category seems more useful, even more so if those samples are broken down by county.

As long as testing continues to be nearly random and difficult for everyone to get, new infections will continue increasing.

It seems that looking at the results of actual tests given would be a more accurate gauge of progress (or lack there of ) in the battle to contain the virus. KENNETH SABEL Arnold