Maryland's 'rock star' first lady delivers on virus tests

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Brian Witte, Associated Press
Updated 3:59 pm CDT, Wednesday, April 22, 2020



Photo: Brian Witte, AP
IMAGE 1 OF 3

Maryland first lady Yumi Hogan stands at a news conference at the governor's residence on Monday, April 20, 2020 in Annapolis, Md., where her husband, Gov. Larry Hogan announced she helped negotiations that led to a company in South Korea to send a shipment to boost the state's ability to conduct tests for COVID-19 by 500,000.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland's first lady Yumi Hogan is already hugely popular in the state's Asian-American community. Now, her instrumental role in Maryland's response to the coronavirus pandemic — helping to secure 500,000 test kits from South Korea — has emphatically shown that there's much more behind her gracious demeanor and artistic talent.

As Gov. Larry Hogan praised his wife for championing the confidential negotiations, the first lady stood quietly by his side, wearing a mask and a pin with the U.S. and South Korean flags. She added not a word to his surprise announcement that she engineered the arrival of $9 million in critical testing supplies.

It was characteristic of the Korean-born artist, who has generally avoided the spotlight during the Republican governor's tenure. But those who know Yumi Hogan say they aren't surprised that she accomplished what most governors — and even the White House — have struggled to do.

“She is a celebrity and a rock star, really, in the Korean American community in the region, and so her being in the governor’s mansion with Mr. Hogan, it’s a really big deal for folks — back home in Korea as well as here,” said Del. David Moon, a Democrat whose parents immigrated from Korea.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Maryland-s-rock-star-first-lady-delivers-on-15218768.php

[weissmam]

1. From what I hear its sounds like Gov Hogan is a

RINO, not that I am complaining

[qwlauren35]

7. No, he's not a RINO.

He said when he first ran that he is socially conservative, but he promised not to "inflict" (my word) his views on the state. He actually has tried a few times - we have a majority Democratic legislature, and they have overriden his veto a few times. I think he finally got a clue. He also won a second term, despite the fact that our schools have slipped in the ranks.

He is also a cancer survivor, so he has pre-existing conditions, and that might be why he took this so seriously.

He has been friendly with Betsey DeVos, and when Trump did some of his dumbest shit before COVID-19, Hogan was silent. This time, he is standing up for his people, and I am very glad that he is our governor.

We have had escalating responses. Schools closing, non-essential businesses closing, wearing masks mandatory. A lot of stores won't let you in if you don't have a mask. Big signs on the front doors. Almost every store has put face shields in place to protect cashiers.

I think our state has done all of the right things, but our numbers are inching up. ~600 deaths.

He is speaking now, and I'll get a synopsis later. I see us opening up the state around May 1st, but with a lot of controls.

[honest.abe]

2. Im from Maryland but I didnt know anything about her until this story came out.

Clearly she avoids the spotlight but is indeed a "rock star".

[elleng]

3. Ditto, that is, I now live in Maryland,

have for almost 10 years, and knew nothing about her.

[onetexan]

4. Impressive. Hope she can help other states negotiate as well.

[iluvtennis]

5. +++ agree.

[Lonestarblue]

6. If the Republican Party were filled with people like Governor Hogan, we might respect it again.

Today’s Republican Party is not a political organization, it is an anti-government wrecking crew. It deserves to be reduced until it fades into the woodwork. It will take generations for the rabid right-wingers to die off and hopefully be replaced by people of greater intelligence who aren’t fooled by Fox News and hate radio.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

8. Never before

I have never voted for a Republican in 67+ years, but Larry Hogan has actually acted in the case of covid-19 in the interest of the citizens of Maryland. That's more than I can say about most Republican Governors or most Republicans in general. Credit due where credit is deserved.

[Sneederbunk]

9. Give this lady a medal.

[soryang]

10. 대한민국 감사합니다!

Thanks to our South Korean allies. When a reporter brought up the shipment of hundreds of thousands of test kits by South Korea to the United States at press conference on April 14, Sec of Defense Esper was dismissive and said, we receive help from all of our allies or words to that effect, and reasserted the absurd US demand for five times last years contribution to US defense costs in South Korea.

[Hekate]

11. Impressive!