THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

[♪♪] CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK THREE MARYLAND COUNTIES WITH MEASLES OUTBREAKS WHAT RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW AND WHAT IS THE PRESCRIPTION FOR KEEPING LOCAL INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES IN BUSINESS?

BUT FIRST THREE WEEKS AFTERRED SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION A JUDGE HAS RULED THE LEGISLATURE MADE HAD PROCEDURAL ERRORS.

THOSE ERRORS HE FOUND INVALIDATE THE BALLOT QUESTION THAT THE LEGISLATORS APPROVED.

HE AGREES WITH REPUBLICAN PLAINTIFFS THAT HOUSE BILL 2100 FAILED TO ADHERE TO A TIMETABLE LAWMAKERS SET EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE REFERENDUM WAS TO CLARIFY THAT THE EXISTING LANGUAGE IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION LIMITING GERRYMANDERING OF POLITICAL MAPS DOES NOT APPLY TO CONGRESSIONAL SEATS.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT IS EXPECTED TO REVIEW THE MATTER AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

ALSO WHETHER THE BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT VOTERS WOULD SEE IS MISLEADING.

[♪♪] OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION Dr.

CAREY WRIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: SO HOW ARE YOU FEELING THAT THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR?

>> THIS IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES OF THE YEAR I HAVE BEEN VISITING SCHOOLS, FREDERICK COUNTY OPENED LAST WEDNESDAY AND BALTIMORE CITY AND OTHERS MONTGOMERY COUNTY THIS WEEK AND OTHER DISTRICTS NEXT WEEK AND IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE KIDS WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES.

TEACHERS WELCOMING THEM.

THE SAFE AND SECURE AND LOVING ENVIRONMENTS THAT SCHOOLS ARE MAKING FOR OUR CHILDREN.

AND IT'S ALL BEEN JUST INCREDIBLY HEARTENING AND IT IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND YOUR TIME.

THE BEST PART OF MY DAY IS BEING IN A SCHOOL STHOOR FOR EQUAL TIME THERE WAS A SUBSET OF KIDS THE LAST SCHOOL DAY WAS THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR?

>> THAT IS TRUE, TOO I WAS A PRINCIPAL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND I CAN REMEMBER WHEN THE LAST DAY HIT EVERYBODY WAS TAKING A DEEP BREATH AND GETTING READY FOR SUMMER.

THEY ARE ALL GOOD DAYS THERE IS NOT A PARTICULAR TIME OF THE YEAR I PREFER OVER OTHERS THIS IS EXCITING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF GREAT MEMORIES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEWS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MET THIS WEEK DELAYING A MATH REQUIREMENT.

WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

>> ONLY BY A YEAR.

I THINK THEY PASSED THE POLICY WAS ADOPTED.

AND THE TIMELINE SHIFTED A YEAR TO GIVE DISTRICTS TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A LEAD TIME TO WORK ON SCHEDULING TO WORK ON MATERIALS AND ACQUIRING THE MATERIALS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO NEED WITH THE NEW STANDARDS.

IT WAS A WAY OF TRY TOO LONG GIVE GRACE SO THEY WEREN'T GOING TO HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THIS IMMEDIATELY ABOUT HAVE A YEAR'S LEAD TIME.

>> Jeff: IT SEEMS LIKE LAST-MINUTE.

IS THAT NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE?

>> NO.

BECAUSE IT DIDN'T GO INTO PLAY THIS YEAR AND SOME DISTRICTS MOVED ON THAT.

SOME DISTRICTS WERE EARLY ADOPTERS BEFORE THE FINAL POLICY WAS PUT INTO PLACE.

IT'S GIVEN GRACE TO THOSE THAT NEED AND THOSE THAT DON'T WE WILL USE THEIR FEEDBACK AS THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY TO SEE HOW IT'S GOING.

>> Jeff: ARE WE CHANGING HOW WE APPROACH MATHEMATIC NISSMENTS YOU ARE IN SOME RESPECTS TYPICALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM ALGEBRA TWO AND INTEGRATED ALGEBRA ONE AND TWO, THE INITIAL IS 28-29 SCHOOL YEAR SO THERE IS A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE COURSE DEVELOPMENT THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE AND WE ARE STARTING TO JET MATERIALS THAT ARE OUT THERE BY VENDORS TO SEE WHICH ONES WILL BE APPROPRIATELY ALIGNED TO THE NEW STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE.

>> Jeff: THAT WOULD BE SCHOOL BOOKS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

ONE OF THE TINGS THAT IS NEW IS GOING TO BE THE 60-MINUTE MATH TIME.

AND SO THAT WAS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON NOT ONLY WITH THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH NATIONAL CONSULTANTS AND TALKING TO DISTRICTS ABOUT THIS MATH CONTENTED SPECIALISTS ABOUT THIS SO THAT WILL BE A NEW FEATURE WHEN THAT GOES INTO PLAY THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT WHAT THEIR SCHEDULES NEED TO LOOK LIKE TO HAVE A SOLID 60 MINUTES BUILT IN.

>> Jeff: YOU GREW YOUR REPUTATION RUNNING SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI, IMPROVEMENTS IN LANGUAGE ATTARS THERE.

WHAT IS NEW FOR MARYLAND THIS YEAR?

>> SO WE ARE STARTING THE LAUNCH OF OUR NEW STATE-WIDE COACHING SYSTEM AND LITERACY IN MATH THINGS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE MONEY THAT THEY PUT INTO THE BUDGET FOR US TO DO THIS.

IT'S PUTTING A COACH IN I ANUMBER OF SCHOOLS I BELIEVE WE'VE HIRED 50 SO FAR.

SO A COACH IS JUST LIKE WHAT YOU IMAGINE A COACH BEING BEING IN THE CLASSROOM AND GIVING FEEDBACK TO TEACHERS AROUND THE SCIENCE OF READING OR MATH INSTRUCTION TO BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO BE THE BEST TEACHER THEY CAN BE WHETHER IN LITERACY OR MATH.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT ACROSS THE STATE.

AND WE HAD STARTED ONE OF OUR COACHING MODELS IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY WITH PHILANTHROPIC MONEY AND PRINCE GEORGE'S CONTINUES WITH STILL THAT SAME MONEY.

BUT THIS WAS STATE MONEY TO LAUNCH A STATE-WIDE PROGRAM.

SO THANKFUL FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR SEEING A RESEARCH BASED STRATEGY AND PUTTING IT INTO PLACE.

>> Jeff: THE RESOURCES THE COACHES GO WHERE THE KNEAD IS GREATEST?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THEY ARE GOOD JEFF.

WE USE OUR DATA TO IDENTIFY OUR COACHES WE USE OUR ASSESSMENT DATA AND SCHOOLS WITH A LARGER NUMBER OF LICENSED TEACHERS THAT MAY NEED MORE HELP.

THERE ARE THINGS WE LOOK AT BUT WE WANT TO START WITH THE SCHOOLS WE FEEL WE CAN BE MOST BENEFICIAL TO AND WORK ALONGSIDE THE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS TO MAKE SURE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE BEING DEVELOPED IN A TRUTH WORTHY WAY.

COACHES DO NOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH EVALUATION.

THEIR JOB IS TO BE A COACH FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE HIRED THEM TO DO.

>> Jeff: WELL, YOU HAVE BEEN A CLASSROOM TEACHER.

>> YES, I HAVE.

>> HOW DO CLASSROOM TEACHERS LOOK AT SOMEBODY NEW COMING IN?

I'M SURE EVERYBODY HAS THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND HAS THE SAME GOAL BUT YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO THINK THE STATE IS SENDING IN SOMEBODY TO TELL ME I'M DOING THIS WRONG?

>> AND THAT IS A GOOD POINT THAT IS NOT OUR INTENT AT ALL.

IT'S TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LITERACY OUR TEACHERS ARE GROUNDED IN THE SCIENCE OF READING IT IS AN EXPLICIT WAY TO TEACH CHILDREN TO READ.

THE COACH IS THERE TO SAY LET ME MODEL LESSON FOR YOU AND I WILL GIVE YOU FEEDBACK OR SEPARATE TIME.

OR HOW ABOUT IF I VIDEOTAPE YOUR LESSON AND THE TWO OF US SIT DOWN AND CRITIQUE THE LESSON TO IMPROVE THE ART OF TEACHING AND THE SKILLS INVOLVED.

BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT CORE INSTRUCTION IS TAKING PLACE IN CLASSROOMSES FROM BOTH LITERACY AND MATH IS THE BEST IT CAN BE.

OUR COACHES ARE THERE WHO HAVE BEEN WELL VETTED TO ESPECIALLY SURE THEY ARE GROUNDED IN THE CONTENTED AREA AND ALSO GROUNDED IN ADULT LEARNING THEORY IT IS DIFFERENT WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH ADULTS THAN LITTLE PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE SKILL SETS, TOO.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS FROM THE LAST STATE-WIDE ROUND OF TESTING THAT WAS DONE AND ARE THERE CHANGES COMING TO THE TEST AS WELL?

>> YES, GOOD QUESTION.

ONCE AGAIN WE ARE AT A FIVE-YEAR HIGH IN MARYLAND.

THE SCORES HAVE BEEN CREEPING UP.

I THINK FOLKS SEEM TO THINK WHY ISN'T FIVE POINTS A YEAR AND THAT IS NOT THE WAY PROGRESS IS MADE ACROSS THE STATE.

IT IS AN INCREMENTAL PIECE AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WE ARE.

ONE THING WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IS WE ARE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTING A STATE-WIDE ASSESSMENT THIS SPRING.

IN GRADES 3-8.

THE VENDOR THAT HAD OUR CONTRACT EXPIRED IN DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR SO WE HAD TO PUT AN RFP OUT AND WE REVISED OUR STANDARDS TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE CURRENT.

AND SO THEN WHEN YOU TAKE ALL THOSE STANDARDS THE CONE TENT WHAT YOU WANT CHILDREN TO KNOW AND DO YOU GIVE THAT TO THE VENDOR AS WE ARE DEVELOPING ITEMS MAKE SURE THE ITEMS GO WITH THE STANDARDS THE TEACHERS WILL BE TEACHING THAT WILL BE COMING IN SPRING.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ON THAT WITH OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

IT IS A GROUP OF NATIONAL EXPERTS THAT COME DEAL WITH ASSESSMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR ASSESSMENT IS RELIABLE AND VALID AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE.

SO THERE IS A GOOD SET OF EYES LOOKING AT THIS DEVELOPMENT AS IT'S TAKING PLACE.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT WILL BE SHORTER TEST.

>> Jeff: SHORTER TEST.

>> AND SAVING STATE OF MARYLAND $20 MILLION.

>> Jeff: IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH CHANGE ALL AT ONCE?

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IN TERMS OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS, YOU KNOW, ADOPTING ALL OF THE CHANGES AND ALSO THE KIDS GETTING USED TO A NEW TEST.

>> YES.

WE DON'T THE TEST WAS GOING TO BE COMING FORTH ANYWAY BECAUSE OUR VENDOR WAS EXPIRING.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS REQUIRED OF US TO PUT OUT AN RFP.

BUT ANTISEMITISM, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU YOU LOOKING BACK AT THE OLD ASSESSMENT IF THERE WERE QUIRKS YOU TOOK THAT INTO PLAY.

THE SCIENCE OF READING WAS REALLY KIND.

LAUNCHED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND WHEN ALL THESSER DOLLARS WERE THERE AND WHEN THE MARYLAND LEADS MONEY WAS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE STATE TO DISTRICTS IF THEY WERE IMPLEMENTING THE SCIENCE OF READING THEY GOT MORE MONEY OR POINTS FOR IT.

THEN THE BOARD WHEN I CAME ON IN FALL OF 23 AND IN JANUARY OF 24, THE BOARD PASSED A RESOLUTION SAYING THAT STARTING IN 24-25 ALL SCHOOLS WOULD IMPLEMENT THE SCIENCE OF READING.

SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE HAD TWO YEARS OF LEAD TIME ON.

AND ALSO ALL THE LITERACY POLICY MIRRORS A LOT OF THE EXPECTATIONS WHAT WE EXPECT ALL TEACHERS TO KNOW AND BE ABLE TO DO AND WHAT WE EXPECT IN TERMS OF MONITORING AND DATA COLLECTION AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

IT WASN'T A LOT THAT WAS REALLY NEW.

THE MATH POLICY HAD THE MOST NEWNESS TO IT, IF YOU WILL WITH THE 60 MINUTES OF REQUIRED TIME.

BUT WE'RE TRYING TO GET WE HAVE A SCHEDULING COMMITTEE THAT IS WORKING ON DEVELOPING STRONG MASTER SCHEDULES SO THAT YOU CAN MAXIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL TO MAXIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY HAVE WITH SOLID INSTRUCTION.

>> Jeff: I'M SURE EVERYBODY WATCHING THIS HEARD OF THE BLUEPRINT, THE KERWIN PLAN IT'S FIVE YEARS OLD, $10 BILLION INVESTED SO FAR.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN IN THE CLASSROOM AT THIS POINT?

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES, ANY GROWTH THAT WE CAN POINT TO AND I KNOW IT'S EARLY IN THE PROCESS?

>> SO, YES TO ALL.

I THINK THAT IF YOU START WITH PILLAR ONE EARLY CHILDHOOD WE HAVE HAD A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN NOW ENROLLED IN PRE-K THAT WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE.

WE HAVE CHILD SCHOLARSHIP MONEY THAT ALLOWS PARENTS TO GET A CHILDCARE GOING WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND ALSO A LOT OF PARENTS TO RETURN TO WORK.

I THINK THAT IN PILLAR TWO TEACHERS AND TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS.

WE HAVE A STARTING SALARY OF $60,000 AND MARYLAND IS A MAJOR IMPORT STATE WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHERS.

THIS IS GOOD TO KNOW WE HAVE A GOOD STARTING SALARY THAT WE CAN RECRUIT PEOPLE INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

NATIONAL BOARD OF CERTIFICATION, THAT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS OF TEACHERS THAT GET NATIONAL BOARDS.

PILLAR THREE IS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS WE DEVELOPED A STANDARD FOR WHAT WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE END OF GRADE 10.

A LOT OF THE LITERACY PIECE AND THE MATH PIECE IS ALL FEEDING INTO PILLAR THREE ALONG WITH DUAL CREDIT THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE AVAILABILITY TO TAKE IN THEIR CLASSES.

AND PILLAR FOUR IS ABOUT GETTING RESOURCES TO THE CHILDREN THAT NEED IT THE MOST THAT IS AN INDEX PLACED IF YOU ARE A MULTILINGUAL LEARNER OR A STUDY IN POVERTY SCHOOLS GET EXTRA MONEY FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO HELP BUILD THEIR INTERVENTION PAM ARES OR WHATEVER THE PROGRAMS CHILDREN MIGHT NEED INSIDE THE SCHOOL AND PILLAR FIVE IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING AND ALL THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OPENED WHICH IS HUGE.

WE'VE HAD 720 SOME ODD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND THOSE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES, THEY GET PERSONNEL GRANT WHICH GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO HIRE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COORDINATOR AND A NURSE.

AND THEN THEY GET A PER PUPIL GRANT THAT GIVES THEM THE EXTRA MONEY TO PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES OR ACADEMIC SERVICES.

>> Jeff: IN A MINUTE WE WILL BE SPEAKING WITH THE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER IN AN AREA AFFECTED BY MEASLES OUTBREAKS.

I'M CURIOUS FROM THE SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE ARE YOU SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF KIDS WITH AN EXEMPTION FROM VACCINATION?

>> I KNOW NATIONALLY WE ARE.

AND I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH I KNOW THEY CAPTURE THAT DATA.

I'VE NOT COLLECTED THAT DATA FROM THE SUPERINTENDENTS TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT NATIONALLY THAT IS THE CASE.

AND THAT DOES CONCERN ME.

BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN CHILDREN THAT DIED IN THIS NATION.

FOR LACK OF VACCINATION AND HAVE COME DOWN WITH MEASLES.

SO IT'S MY HOPE THAT WE CAN GET ALL OF OUR CHILDREN VACCINATED AND KEEP THEM HEALTHY AND UNVACCINATED CHILDREN ALSO CAN BE YOU PUT OTHER CHILDREN AT RISK WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS HEALTHY IN SCHOOL EVERYDAY.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO Dr.

WRIGHT.

FALLING VACCINATION RATES OPENED THE DOOR TO MEASLES AND OTHER DISEASES.

OUTBREAKS HAVE BEEN CREE LAYERED IN ST.

MARY'S COUNTY, CARROLL AND CECIL COUNTIES.

WE SPOKE WITH ST.

MARY'S COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER Dr.

MEENAKSHI BREWSTER.

>> WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AS WE SHOULD BE.

MEASLES IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

AND IN SOME PEOPLE CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS ILLNESS ESPECIALLY IN THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE OR YOUNG CHILDREN.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS AS PROTECTED AS THEY CAN BE.

YES, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS EMERGING OUTBREAK.

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEW CASES IDENTIFIED IN THE PAST HANDFUL OF WEEKS.

AND WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD WITH OUR PARTNERS TO TRY AND PROTECT AS MANY AS WE CAN.

>> Jeff: FOR ANY OLDTIMERS WATCHING US WHO REMEMBER HAVING MEASLES AS A KID, AT A TIME WHEN EVERYBODY GOT MEASLES AS A KID, BASICALLY, WHY IS THIS A CONCERNING ILLNESS?

>> YES.

WELL, YOU SAY IT RIGHT THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD MEASLES BEFORE.

AND SOME INDIVIDUALS THE ILLNESS WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CAUSE COMPLICATIONS, POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH.

AND THAT'S LARGELY WHY WE LAUNCHED A PUBLIC HEALTH VACCINATION CAMPAIGN WORLDWIDE.

AND FORTUNATELY IN THE UNITED STATES WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO A POINT OF DECADES OF THAT OF WHAT THEY CALL A MEASLES ELIMINATION STATUS WHERE WE'VE PREVENTED THE ONGOING TRANSMISSION OF MEASLES BECAUSE OF PEOPLE'S IMMUNITY FROM THE VACCINE.

BUT IT IS IT CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS IN SOME INDIVIDUALS SO WE CAN HAVE COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS DEAFNESS OR BRAIN SWELL, PNEUMONIA AND UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ILLNESS.

>> Jeff: JUST HAD TWO IN PENNSYLVANIA, OF COURSE.

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A HEALTH OFFICE TO TRY TO IMPROVE VACCINATION RATES AND DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE MAYBE ANECDOTALLY FROM PEDIATRICIANS THAT THERE'S BEEN A DECLINE IN THE UPTAKE OF THE VACCINE?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T THINK OUR STORY IS UNIQUE WE HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN A DECLINE IN VACCINE UPTAKE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND WE'VE BEEN SEEING THAT TREND OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

UNFORTUNATELY WHAT THAT DOES WHEN PEOPLE ARE DECLINING VACCINATION, WE START TO SEE LESS PERCENTAGE OF OUR POPULATION THAT ARE IMMUNE TO MEASLES.

AND THEN OUR POPULATIONS BECOME SUSCEPTIBLE.

IF MEASLES DOES COME INTO A COMMUNITY WHERE THERE ARE POCKETS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT IMMUNE, THEN IT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD.

AND THAT'S WHAT SETS UP A RECIPE FOR OUTBREAKS.

>> Jeff: THERE IS A CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY IMMUNITY.

WHERE YOU GET TO 90 SOME PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS IMMUNE TO SOMETHING THEN IT CAN'T SPREAD IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE CONCERNED WE ARE SLIPPING BELOW?

>> YES.

TYPICALLY PEOPLE SAY 95% THEREABOUTS BECAUSE MEASLES IS SO CONTAGIOUS.

AND WE HAVE IN MARYLAND WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE FAIRLY GOOD INDICATORS OF VACCINATION STATUS OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY REVIEW THOSE REPORTS AND BASED ON THOSE THAT INDICATOR WE KNOW WE'VE HAD A FAIRLY LIE VACCINATION STATUS IN MODERN OVER MANY YEARS.

BUT WE HAVE STARTED TO SEE THAT STEP BACKWARDS AND AS IT STEPS BACK, OF COURSE, WE ARE LOSING THAT HERD IMMUNITY PROTECTION THAT THAT 95% CONFERS IN A COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: IN TALKING PEOPLE TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT VACCINATIONS WHETHER IT'S YOUNG POPULATION OR OLDER POPULATION, WHAT MESSAGING IS EFFECTIVE?

I MEAN THE MMR SHOT CAN HURT MAKE YOUR ARM SORE.

ARE THERE OTHER SIDE EFFECTS SPECIFIC THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT YOU HAVE A READY ANSWER FOR?

>> YES.

I THINK MOST, OF COURSE, THERE'S THERE IS THE RECIPROCAL SORENESS OF THE ARM SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE A LOW-GRADE FEVER IN THE COUPLE DAYS AFTER THE VACCINE.

THERE ARE CASES FEW CASES WHERE PEOPLE MAY ACTUALLY HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOME KIND OF RASH AFTER HAVING THE VACCINE.

BUT THIS ISN'T MEASLES ILLNESS.

THIS IS THE RESPONSE TO THE VACCINE AND IT IS A TEMPORARY THING IT IS NOT LASTING ON A PERMANENT BASIS.

THERE ARE YOU KNOW, PERCEPTIONS AND REALLY INACCURATE INFORMATION THAT THE MEASLES VACCINE WAS LINKED TO AUTISM FROM A DEBUNKED STUDY DECADES AGO.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAS IMPACTED PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION OF THE MMR VACCINE AND THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AND THAT MIGHT BE A REASON WHY THEY MAY NOT DHUS TO GET VACCINATION FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR CHILDREN.

BUT EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT REASONS FOR DECLINING VACCINATION.

SO I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT THAT'S THE ONLY REASON.

I MEAN CERTAINLY THAT IS SOMETHING WE'VE DEALT WITH OVER SOME YEARS NOW RECOGNIZING THAT THAT SEEMS TO PERSIST AS A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE MMR VACCINE.

>> Jeff: THIS MAY NOT BE YOUR DEPARTMENT BUT WHAT IS THE LAW WITH RESPECT TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE?

IS THERE A CRITICAL GROUP OF VACCINATIONS THAT KIDS HAVE TO HAVE?

>> YES.

ACTUALLY IN MARYLAND WE HAVE MANDATORY SCHOOL VACCINATION POLICY.

THAT DOES ALLOW FOR BOTH MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

IT JUST MEANS IF SOMEBODY HAS A MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION TO THE REQUIRED VACCINATIONS, FOR SCHOOL ENTRY, THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DOCUMENT THAT.

>> Jeff: GIVEN THAT THE VACCINE ITSELF IS 97% EFFECTIVE IF YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND MAYBE YOU'RE OLDER FULLY VACCINATED IS THERE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT?

IS THERE ANY REASON TO GO TO THE DOCTOR PREVENTATIVELY?

>> YES, IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE HAVE SUCH A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINE TO PREVENT MEASLES.

AS YOU SAID, IT'S WITH TWO DOSES OF THE MEASLES VACCINE, WE TYPICALLY SEE ABOUT 97% EFFECTIVENESS IN PREVENTING ILLNESS.

WE DO SEE VERY INFREQUENTLY BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS.

BUT, AGAIN, THOSE ARE RARE.

BECAUSE THE VACCINE IS SO EFFECTIVE.

IF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SOME EXPOSURE TO MEASLES FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY'VE SOMETIMES HEALTH DEPARTMENTS PUT OUT PUBLIC EXPOSURE TIMES AND DATES AND THEY MAYBE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT IF THEY'VE HAD THAT EXPOSURE THEY SHOULD MONITOR THEMSELVES FOR SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES AND IF THEY DEVELOP THOSE SYMPTOMS TO CALL AHEAD TO THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR HEALTHCARE FACILITY COMMUNICATE WHAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AND THEN FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS SO THEY CAN ARRANGE FOR TESTING.

>> Jeff: BECAUSE IT'S SO CONTAGIOUS YOU DON'T WANT SOMEBODY SITTING AROUND THE URGENT CARE WAITING ROOM FOR A COUPLE HOURS?

>> YES.

AND WE EMPHASIZE THISTH ALL OF OUR MESSAGING.

IF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED, THAT THEY MAY HAVE MEASLES, PARTICULARLY IF THEY'VE KNOWN THEY HAD AN EXPOSURE TO MEASLES AND ALSO PARTICULARLY IF THEY ARE NOT IMMUNE, THEN WE WANT THEM TO MAKE SURE TO CALL THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR THE URGENT CARE, THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, BEFORE THEY GO IN TO SEEK EVALUATION AND TESTING.

>> Jeff: SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR ESPECIALLY IN INFANTS, PEOPLE WITH MAYBE IMMUNE COMPROMISED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER?

>> SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNE AND HAVE HAD EXPOSURE BUT OF COURSE, BECAUSE THE VACCINE IS SO EFFECTIVE WE'RE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SEE MEASLES DEVELOP AFTER EXPOSURE IN THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT IMMUNE.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO Dr.

BREWSTER.

WHAT IS THE PRESCRIPTION SON FOR KEEPING LOCAL INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES IN BUSINESS?

NANCY YAMADA HAS THE STORY.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A SHAME BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS ANYTIME A SMALL BUSINESS GOES OUT, YOU KIND OF FEEL IT.

>> FOR OVER TWO DECADES RESIDENTS IN HANCOCK, A SMALL DOWN IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, WERE ABLE TO FILL THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS NEXT DOOR TO WHERE THEY GROCERY SHOP AT THE FOOD LION.

BUT THAT ENDED WHEN THE OWNER OF REEDS PHARMACY CLOSED THE DOORS THIS SUMMER.

>> I WAS SAD.

BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIVED UP THE ROAD AND DIDN'T HAVE TO TRAVEL VERY FAR.

AND THEY ALWAYS HAD YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS READY.

>> THAT MEANS THEY ARE TRAVELING FURTHER TO GET THEIR MEDICATIONS WHICH MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A BIG DEAL, EXCEPT.

>> PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

THERE'S NO BUSES TO GET THEM THERE.

>> I DON'T SEE IN THE FUTURE THE WAY THIS IS GOING A BUSINESS YOU HAVE TO MAKE A PROFIT.

>> AT ONE POINT KEN REED HAD SEVEN PHARMACIES.

NOW HE IS DOWN TO FOUR WITH THREE IN WEST VIRGINIA AND ONE IN VIRGINIA.

HE SAYS THE ISSUE IS LOW REIMBURSEMENT RATES FROM PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.

>> THERE'S THREE THAT CONTROL 80% OF THE MARKET THEY DICTATE THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND THEY LIKE TO REIMBURSE US BELOW COSTS AND WE CANNOT KEEP DOING THAT.

I SEE NO WAY FORWARD HERE IN MARYLAND.

>> SOME STATES PASSED LAWS TO SET MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT RATES WHICH ALLOW PHARMACIES TO GET BY BUT MARYLAND HAS YET TO DO THAT.

>> SOME AND SEE THE EMPTY PHARMACY.

>> REED EXPECTS MORE PHARMACIES WILL BE FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS EMPTYING CHEFS AND ENDING DECADES LONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS TO TURNED TO THEM FOREMORE THAN MEDICATION.

>> WHEN WE COME TO THE SMALL TOWNS WE DID THIS WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE.

AND GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE COME FROM.

AND WE KNOW WHEN WE GO TO FOOD LION ORED GROCERY STORE PEOPLE ASK US QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH.

I'M FEELING THIS.

I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE I'VE SENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OVER THE YEARS.

>> REED WAS HOPING HE COULD PASS ON HIS PHARMACIES TO HIS SON, BUT AFTER WATCHING HIS FATHER'S STRUGGLES AND THE CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY, HE SAID HE'S DONE AND MOVING ON TO A DIFFERENT CAREER.

>> HE TAPPED OUT.

AND NOW I'M LOOKING TO FIND SOMEBODY TO TAKEOVER ME.

I'M 59.

AND LIKE I SAID ONCE ALL THESE LITTLE STORES GO, THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE PATIENTS WILL DO.

>> SOME SAY THEY ARE NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO BECOMING A NAMELESS, FACELESS CUSTOMER AT A CHAIN.

>> WE HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS GUY.

HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR US FOR EVERYTHING WE NEEDED.

AND IT REALLY SUCKS TO HEAR ABOUT JUST SMALL PHARMACIES FEELING THE PRESSURE AND THE PINCH FINANCIALLY AND NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE IT.

>> I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" STATE FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

[♪♪]