51 House Democrats have asked Governor Larry Hogan to provide rent and mortgage relief to Marylanders that have been effected by COVID-19. Read the letter below:
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Governor Hogan Orders Stay at Home
On March 30th, 2020 Governor Larry Hogan announced a new “Stay at Home” order. This is not a shelter in place. Below are some the guidelines.
General Guidelines
- Effective at 8PM on 3/30, everyone must stay in their homes except for essential activities, travel to work, performing services related to work
- Businesses can remain open if they are considered an essential service
- Businesses can deliver goods still
- Businesses that are non-essential can remain open for minimal operations (more info below)
- Fitness centers, theaters, golf courses, senior centers, and other recreational establishments must remain closed
- Tattoo parlors, barber shops, salons, etc should be closed
- If you are a victim of domestic violence or your living situation is unsafe you are allowed to seek a safe space
- If you are experiencing homelessness you are allowed to seek a safe space
- If you violate this order you can be charged with a misdemeanor and/or receive a $5,000 fine
What is considered essential?
- Obtaining supplies (food, medicine, other groceries) for you, your family, and pets
- Going outside for activity (walking, walking pets, jogging, riding bikes, hiking)
- Caring for a family member, friend, pet in another household or location (this includes providing transport to an essential service like medical care)
- Travel required by law enforcement or court order
- Travel to a federal, State, or local government building for a necessary purpose
Non-Essential Business Guidance
- You must close to the general public
- Staff and owners can work but only on minimal operations
- Minimal operations include: facilitating remote work, maintaining property, preventing loss or damage to property (including ensuring perishables do not spoil)
- Caring for live animals
- FOR RETAIL: you can continue to sell products on a delivery basis
Restaurant and Bar Guidance
- Restaurants and bars will remain closed to the general public except for pickup, carryout, drive-through, delivery
- Must follow social-distancing recommendations
Social distancing guidelines have been extended through the end of April, according to Pres. Trump. However, Maryland is following guidelines that lean more towards shelter in place. Governor Hogan has been reluctant to call the actions he and his administration have taken shelter-in-place.
How will this impact MoCo? Most existing Maryland guidelines from the governor have also extended to the end of April so this won’t change what we are doing.
Governor Hogan stated state officials expect an increase of cases in Maryland in 2-3 weeks. Models for Maryland suggest similar results using the restrictions and closures that Hogan implemented.
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.
