This group of governors represent 1 in 3 Americans. They're putting politics aside to defeat COVID-19 across state lines.

This group of governors represent 1 in 3 Americans. They're putting politics aside to defeat COVID-19 across state lines. For the first time since the COVID-19 crisis began, a bipartisan group of governors issued a comprehensive plan to defeat COVID-19 across state lines. Adrianna Rodriguez USA TODAY

For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, a bipartisan group of governors has vowed to put politics aside to issue a comprehensive plan to defeat COVID-19 across state lines.

The plan focuses on five key pillars as part of an effective response to the pandemic: testing, contact tracing, public health and social measures, vaccines and treatments, and common measures of success.

The call to action was developed and released by the COVID Collaborative, a national assembly that has brought together leading experts and institutions across health, education and the economy to support state and local leaders.

It’s co-chaired by Dirk Kempthorne, a former Republican U.S. senator and governor of Idaho, and former Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who was assistant attorney general during the Clinton administration and is now a potential choice to lead the Justice Department in the upcoming Biden administration.

Governors who support the call of action include Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH); Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI); Gov. Mark Gordon (R-WY); Gov. Gary Herbert (R-UT); Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD); Gove. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR); Gov. Laura Kelly (D-KS); Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ); Gov.Gavin Newsom (D-CA); Gov.Ralph Northam (D-VA); Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO); and Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA).

"The COVID-19 pandemic doesn't respect state or regional borders and requires a consistent, coherent, cross-state approach since viral spread in one state threatens all states,” Gove.Gary Herbert (R-UT) said in a press release. “At a time of national crisis, our country needs to bind together so we can defeat this virus and safely reopen schools, businesses and places where Americans gather." ...

As part of the comprehensive plan, the National Governors Association and Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy released a review of state vaccine distribution plans that highlight challenges and strategies to help states refine their efforts. ...

Also see: The American virus?: It may not have started here, but the novel coronavirus became a US tragedy

As part of the comprehensive plan, the National Governors Association and Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy released a review of state vaccine distribution plans that highlight challenges and strategies to help states refine their efforts.