We must continue to make protecting public health the highest priority to stem the spread of COVID-19 and so those who have symptoms or might be infected can get the testing and medical care they need.
We also understand the severe impact the necessary measures Montgomery County and Maryland are taking to implement social distancing are having on local employers. Small businesses and nonprofits not only employ our friends, family, and neighbors. They are our friends, family, and neighbors. They and their employees need our help, and they need it urgently.
Working closely with Council colleagues and collaboratively with the County Executive, and leaders of businesses and nonprofit organizations, the Council introduced an emergency relief package as a body yesterday.
The $25 million relief package was introduced as emergency legislation with accompanying appropriations and is expected to be adopted next Tuesday so that the funds can be deployed as quickly as possible to support local employers and vulnerable residents. The $20 Million Public Health Emergency Grant Fund will provide grants up to $75,000 for business and nonprofits with 100 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees that can demonstrate financial losses caused by the public health emergency. Grant funding must be used for employee wages and benefits, taxes, debt, rent or other operating losses during the public health emergency. It will also provide teleworking micro grants up to $2,500 for local businesses and nonprofits to purchase equipment and technology to support teleworking capabilities during the COVID-19 emergency.
Additionally, the Council introduced a $5 Million Special Appropriation to support the increased need for existing County safety-net programs serving vulnerable populations, especially related to healthcare, food insecurity, housing and homelessness. The Council also proposed related measures including $260,000 for Manna Food Center to reach food insecure MCPS students and $250,000 to help provide hotel and motel lodging for frontline health care staff.
This is only the beginning of what we must do in order to protect the health of county residents and rebuild our local economy. We’re in an unprecedented time that requires unprecedented action – at the county, state, and federal levels.
Our efforts at the county level complement Governor Hogan’s announcement of a state relief package totaling $175 million to assist small businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic. Please see more details on the State’s programs and how the Departments of Commerce and Labor can help here.
As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our public health resources and economy, it’s clear we must respond first to the immediate needs of residents and businesses.
Yesterday during Council session, I co-sponsored a resolution introduced by Councilmember Nancy Navarro to set the stage for a budget process that reflects the sobering new reality we face. The resolution directs Council staff to develop a streamlined budget for Fiscal Year 2021 – which begins July 1st – focused on a continuity of core county services while maintaining flexibility for future appropriations necessary to assist residents and businesses as we recover from this pandemic.
We must meet the moment before us, but also be prepared to meet the social and economic challenges that follow beyond this health crisis. As County leaders, we stand ready to provide the fiscal leadership that our residents deserve during these trying times.
While we must limit presence to fewer than 10 people in the Council chambers in light of public health directives, we need your participation as we make the tough decisions ahead. Therefore, we want to encourage residents to submit testimony here and watch Council sessions online.
State Announcements Today
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School Closed Until April 24th: State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon announced this morning she and the State Board of Education have ordered the closure of all public school systems for an additional four weeks through April 24, 2020, after many discussions with health experts. State and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) officials will be working together to determine continuity of learning options and MCPS will provide further details for our communities.
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Childcare for Essential Personnel: Dr. Salmon also announced the State has been working with local YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Recreation Centers, and other facilities to provide capacity for more than 1,200 children of essential safety and healthcare personnel to receive childcare. The State is hoping to increase this capacity to 2,500 children. Essential personnel can call the State's LOCATE Hotline to register for childcare at 1-877-261-0060.
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Residents With Recent Travel to New York City: Governor Hogan announced that the State is following CDC guidance and asking anybody who recently traveled to the New York City guidance to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Special Grocery Store Hours
- The County has compiled a list of stores with dedicated shopping hours for seniors and those at-risk.
MCPS
Closures
Voting Dates
- The State's primary election has been postponed until June 2nd. Visit this site for the information on candidates and other important details.
How You Can Help
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Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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Volunteer Opportunities: The County has compiled a list on how you can to help. If you are a medical or public health professional willing to assist, the state has a site specifically for specialized volunteers.
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Donate Blood: American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for an appointment now.
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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has started a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to bolster nonprofits working to help low-income hourly workers, gig workers, small business owners, families in need of childcare services, homeless individuals and many more who will continue to be severely impacted during this public health emergency.
If You Need Support
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Food Assistance: See the Montgomery County Food Council's Resource Directory, which includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines of more than 100 sites where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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Stress and Anxiety: EveryMind has a free call or text line 301-738-2255. You can also chat with someone online.
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Housing Issues: Evictions related to this public health emergency are prohibited at this time, if you face housing or eviction issues, please don't hesitate to contact our office at 240-777-7828 or dial 311.
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Seniors: You can sign up now for a new free program called Senior Call Check by calling toll-free to 866-502-0560 or by registering online. Under the program, participants receive an automated call every day. If the participant does not answer, they will be called two additional times in the same day. If those calls go unanswered, an alternate person, selected by the participant, will be notified in order for them to check in on the participant.
Let's look out for one another during this difficult time. We are in this together, and we'll get through this together.
State and federal taxes are now due on July 15th. If an extension is filed then individuals have until October 15th.
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