
COVID-19: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Current Information On Actions States/Territories Have Taken To Address The COVID-19 Pandemic; As Well As Advocacy, Policy, And Guidance Documents For Protecting Public Health And The Economy.
Resources By Topic
Communications Critical Infrastructure Economic Development And Employers Elections Funding Health Insurance Housing Human Services Legal Long Term Care Operational Coordination Pathway to Reopening Planning & Preparedness Postsecondary Education Public Safety Schools and Childcare Special Considerations For Vulnerable Populations Supply Chain And Health System Readiness Testing Vaccines Workforce And LaborLast Updated: Apr 16, 2021, 12:51 PM ET
Since the beginning of the pandemic, and the resulting economic slump, Governors have been directing their states’ resources where they are needed most and where they will achieve the greatest impact. As practical problem solvers, Governors are effectively delivering state services to protect public health and to stimulate economic recovery and growth.
The National Governors Association has provided platforms for Governors to communicate with each other and to easily follow what’s happening in other states across the country on a daily basis. We connect Governors and their key staff members with policy experts and thought leaders to help forge practical solutions to the challenges they face. Through our programs, we develop and share guidance so that Governors might find what works best to address the unique situations that arise in their states.
By accessing the best information, communicating with federal and local levels of government, and learning from each another, Governors are successfully meeting today’s pressing challenges.
Coronavirus in the U.S.
127,743,096 People Receiving 1 or More Vaccine Doses
31,306,928 TOTAL CASES
562,296 TOTAL DEATHS
Source: CDC
Featured Resources

State COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Governors of states and territories, working in close collaboration with local partners, have responsibility for a wide array of activities to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are effectively and equitably distributed and administered.

Phased Allocation Of COVID-19 Vaccines: State And Territorial Approaches
This table provides information on state and territorial plans for phased allocation of COVID-19 vaccines. As initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines is limited, Governors are focused on prioritizing certain high-risk populations for vaccine allocation through a transparent and equitable process.

COVID-19 Vaccines And Emerging Viral Variants
This issue brief provides an overview of current evidence about the safety and efficacy of Johnson & Johnson’s recently authorized vaccine and additional vaccine candidates anticipated to receive near-term emergency authorization from the FDA. The brief also addresses the effectiveness of existing and upcoming vaccines against emerging COVID-19 viral variants.
NGA State Coronavirus Action Network (SCAN) Calls
NGA is holding regular calls for states to hear from subject-matter experts, learn from their peers in other states, and discuss common challenges related to the coronavirus. These calls are only open to state personnel. For information on the next upcoming call, contact Brittney Roy or Carl Amritt.
Advocacy
- Putting CARES Act Funds To Work: Getting Main Street Back On Its Feet
- National Governors Association Leadership Calls On Congress To Deliver A COVID Relief Bill And Support States Before Recessing
- Putting CARES Act Funds To Work: Prioritizing Testing And PPE To Protect Americans
- Putting CARES Act Funds To Work: Investing In Education, Investing In Recovery
- Working Together For Vaccine Distribution
- Letter Requesting White House Meeting On Vaccine Distribution
- Letter Urging Congress To Extend Waiver Authorities For The COVID-19 School Nutrition Rules
- Recent Treasury Report Fails To Account For Allocated Coronavirus Relief Funds As The Country Faces Historic Drop In GDP And Record Unemployment
- Governors Urge President To Extend Title 32 Today
- Four Ways Congress Can Partner With States And Territories To Combat COVID-19
- National Governors Association Leadership Statement On Congressional Coronavirus Relief Negotiations
Needs and Resource Matching
Many local, state and federal offices are working to fill supply gaps in health care resources, personal protective equipment, and other needs. Manufacturers across the United States are racing to fill those gaps and, in some cases, are re-engineering their processes to make items in short supply. The National Governors Association and the nation’s governors are working together to provide an online hub for businesses and other organizations with supplies or services to connect with states officials regarding critical needs.
NGA COVID-19 Policy and Guidance Documents

Phased Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccines: State and Territorial Approaches
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COVID-19 Impacts on Justice-Involved Kids: Lessons Learned from States
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State-Driven Initiatives to Support Moving to Value-Based Care in the Era of COVID-19
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Prioritizing Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations
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BALANCING MEDICAID BUDGETS AND SERVING STATE RESIDENTS DURING A PANDEMIC
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Governors’ Role in Promoting Disability Employment in COVID-19 Recovery Strategies
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Increasing Utilization of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies: Considerations and Promising Practices for States
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COVID-19 Vaccines and Emerging Viral Variants
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Case Study: Building Strong Brains Tennessee
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The Road Ahead: A Summary of State Economic Recovery Agendas
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COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Resources
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Supporting A Trained Direct Care Workforce In Facility Settings During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic
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Policy and Guidance Resources by Topic
External Tracker Resources
- State-by-state tracking of approved Medicaid emergency authorities - Kaiser Family Foundation
- State-by-state tracking of guidance related to public health policies - Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- Coronavirus-related state legislation - National Conference of State Legislatures
- State actions related to child care - Hunt Institute
- State-by-state tracking of school closures - Education Week
Contact Us
- Timothy Blute, Director, NGA Center For Best Practices (tblute@nga.org; 202-624-7854)
- Maribel Ramos, Government Relations (mramos@nga.org; 202-624-5378)
Webpage Notification and Waiver of Liability
This page includes memoranda, resources, trackers, and other materials developed by the National Governors Association (NGA) to assist governors and state governments with COVID-19 response efforts. These materials are intended to provide information that is currently in the public domain and is not intended to be used as a source for legal or professional advice. NGA and its governing bodies, officers, and employees assume no responsibility for information contained on this webpage and disclaim all civil or criminal liability in respect of such information. NGA makes no endorsements or recommendations of information provided, and visitors to this website should always seek the advice of an appropriately qualified professional pertaining to specific material references. Information contained in such materials is not exhaustive and may be changed or updated at any time. Specific disclaimers may apply in addition to certain content or parts of this webpage.