The primary objective of local, state, and federal response to COVID-19 is to minimize mortality and mitigate explosive demand for acute health-care services related to COVID-19 complications, especially those that require care in intensive care units. 

Governmental responses have varied from statewide stay-at-home orders to more incremental approaches targeting restrictions in specific industries and locations. Certainly, many of these restrictions are warranted and necessary to achieve the desired public health outcomes. 

Public health agencies, in conjunction with Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs, monitor the results of newborn screening outcomes, newborns with risk factors for the late onset of hearing loss, the prevalence of confirmed hearing loss, the type and degree of these losses, and the number of babies enrolled in services. A public health system is the best way for all of the parties providing hearing care to a child to have access to the results of the provided care.