The past few days have been a jumble. I’m not sure what time it is and I keep checking the calendar to make sure I have the right day. It’s stressful, but I’ve seen the community come together and that gives me hope.
There was a lot of news to digest yesterday so here is a condensed version. New updates will be posted on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
How to help MoCo during the state of emergency
We are all in a tough spot, but none are getting hit as hard as small businesses and folks that work in the service industry. We’ve put together some ways that you can help them.
- Montgomery County Food Council has a list of ways you can volunteer to help the community if you aren’t high risk
News Roundup
Coronavirus
- As of 10AM EST on Monday there were 37 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maryland. I stated on Sunday night that these numbers weren’t going to be reliable because not everyone is going to get tested and testing isn’t widely available. A new study was released that shows most transmissions of the virus are “stealth transmissions” meaning most people had no idea they had the virus and showed little to no symptoms when they transmitted it to other people.
- A Metro Transit Police Officer has tested positive for coronavirus
- You may see tents going up near hospitals. It’s expected so don’t be alarmed if you come across them. Holy Cross in Silver Spring has started putting some up.
County
- The County Executive released his operating budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021. It calls for an increase in property taxes. You can play around with the proposal here.
- Some members of the County Council released a joint statement about the proposal.
- Councilmember Will Jawando released an additional statement on Twitter to further explain his position.
- Councilmember Gabe Albornoz released a statement with additional information
State
- Late last night HB 1300 – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, aka the Kirwan bill, passed the Senate 37-9
State of Emergency
Governor Hogan issued new orders for the State of Emergency:
- ordered bars, restaurants, gyms, and theaters to close as of 5PM on 3/16. Restaurants can still offer drive-thru, carryout, pickup, and delivery.
- prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people but the CDC now recommends that gatherings be kept to fewer than 10 people
- the Maryland Department of Health is working on adding an additional 6,000 beds
- the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps have been activated
- health practitioners with licenses in other states are now allowed to practice in Maryland
- utilities are prohibited from being shut off and providers cannot charge late fees: this includes gas, electric, water, sewer, phone, cable, and internet
- evictions are halted during the state of emergency
- schools can now provide three meals and a snack to each student per day
- the National Guard has been moved to a higher state of readiness
During the State of Emergency you can request a 30-day refill on your prescriptions. Health insurers are required to cover them and have to waive restrictions on time-limits.
Maryland Business Express released a list of resources for business
A special enrollment period has been opened for the Maryland Health Connection so if you need health insurance, sign up now
Business
- Restaurants Are Fucked — Unless They Get a Bailout
- Business plunges as restaurants cope with Maryland shutdown
- Small business owner Julie Veratti, who co-founded Denizen’s, is posting a series of tweets that outlines why small businesses need help
I don’t have words to describe this chart showing how dramatic the change in U.S. restaurant customers is.
The data doesn’t look better when you add some color to it.
Reminders
It’s important to take time for ourselves so we can reset. Delegate Eric Luedtke shared his experience with anxiety disorder and it was a reminder, to me, to take a few deep breaths.
