The Council today approved a $20 million Public Health Emergency Grant Fund to help local businesses and nonprofits pay employees and operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis.
Over the last week, we worked collaboratively with the County Executive and his staff throughout the process and have every expectation that they will be able to implement the Grant Program as quickly as possible, so our local employers can get the support they desperately need.
This is a time when we all need to put aside any philosophical differences and work together to support each other. I am proud of how closely we have worked with the County’s Alcohol Beverage Services to allow local restaurants to sell liquor and cocktails as part of their to-go or delivery options. In addition, our office helped the weekly farmer’s market at Bethesda Elementary School stay open despite the school’s closure and are constantly communicating with business owners and nonprofit leaders about their immediate concerns and what the County can do to help.
Make no mistake about it: The stay at home order that Governor Hogan has put in place is absolutely necessary to protect more people from being infected and for ensuring our hard-working healthcare professionals can adequately care for those suffering severe symptoms.
Please follow these instructions. Stay at home, except for essential trips. Wash your hands. If you do leave your home, don’t gather in groups and stay at least six feet away from those not in your household.
We will get through this together. We’re doing everything we can to help vulnerable residents and local employers and to get the message out about how to best protect ourselves and loved ones. We need everyone to do their part.
As shown in the graphic below, the Council today also approved a $6 Million Special Appropriation to support the increased need for existing County safety-net programs and direct aid for families in crisis, $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. We also passed a $10 million appropriation to assist our county hospitals as they increase beds we know we need for surge capacity.
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Census day is April 1st. When you receive your Census invitation in the mail, please be sure to go online and fill out the survey. It only takes 5-10 minutes, but it is key in ensuring federal resources trickle down to our communities.
If you care about improving our streets, schools, healthcare resources, and other infrastructure and programs for our community, it is critical that you fill out the census on behalf of your household. If you do not respond in April, Census takers will reach out directly later this summer to ensure as many residents are counted as possible. For more information on the Census, please see the Census website.
State Announcements This Week
- The Governor issued a stay at home directive for all Maryland residents effective at 8:00 PM Monday night. This means staying at home, unless you have an essential errand such as picking up groceries or medications, going to the doctor, or taking care of a family member or friend. If a resident is found to be in violation, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. Residents can still go outside for walks and exercise.
- Our County Department of Police has released a statement that, "We will not randomly stop community members for compliance checks of the Governor’s orders. If we encounter people via a traffic stop, police call for service, investigations or a gathering of individuals, we will inquire if individuals are in compliance with the Governor’s Order."
- Residents should not travel outside of Maryland. However, if you do, you should self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return.
Special Grocery Store Hours
- The County has compiled a list of stores with dedicated shopping hours for seniors and those at-risk.
MCPS
Closures
Coping with Stress and Anxiety
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Practices to Consider: This link provides helpful strategies to reduce anxiety and cultivate resilience.
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Talk to Someone: EveryMind has a free call or text line 301-738-2255. You can also chat with someone online.
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 for specialized volunteers.
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Making or Donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Frontline staff need additional supplies and so you can make a mask for them or donate new items you may have in your possession.
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Donation site for new or handmade PPE.
- For companies interested in selling PPE to the County, please use this email procure@montgomerycountymd.gov
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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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Restaurant Employee Relief Fund: Guy Fieri and the National Restaurant Association have launched a Relief Fund to give $500 checks to restaurant employees experiencing hardship in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
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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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Healthcare: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace now, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period so that residents can enroll by April 15th. You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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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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Federal Relief: This guide on federal programs outlines the benefits recently passed by Congress.
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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.
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Keep 6 feet distance between you and others and do not use shared equipment like playgrounds.
While residents can still visit parks or enjoy our many great trails, please be sure to follow social distancing practices at all County Parks and Recreation sites. Do not use shared equipment or gather in groups at this time.
Please note that all programming, classes, and events scheduled in parks and at park facilities through April 30th are cancelled.
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