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Responding to the novel coronavirus requires action from the local, state, and federal levels.
Montgomery County is working with our hospital partners to meet their needs for beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment (PPE), including a delivery of 5,500 masks and 200 face shields and gowns to healthcare facilities on Monday. Soon, the County will deliver additional PPE secured through the State from the Strategic National Stockpile to those on the frontlines.
Over the weekend, Governor Hogan enacted an emergency order to require nursing home facilities provide PPE to staff and create separate observation areas for residents who are sick to ensure proper monitoring and to try to stop the spread of the virus in some of our most vulnerable populations.
On Monday, I joined other local leaders to discuss some of the much-needed federal aid coming our way with Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen, and we participated in a separate call with Congressman Trone later in the day. Thanks to the effectiveness and leadership of our Congressional delegation, the federal government will send more than $180 million in direct aid to Montgomery County for our response, $39 million to the Montgomery County Public School system, $2.3 billion in direct aid to the state, and $800 million in support for Metro, which is losing more than $50 million a month and must be in a position to return to full service when safe to do so. This funding will be critical to manage the crisis in the near-term, but we also recognize that far more must be done and will continue working with our federal partners on the next phase of relief.
In Maryland there are 4,371 confimed cases and 103 deaths, 12 over the last 24 hours.
Following the Council’s swift passage of the Public Health Emergency Grant program on March 31st, we have been pushing for the program to be implemented as quickly as possible to ensure that local businesses and nonprofits can receive the funding they desperately need to keep the lights on.
Please contact our office directly to be notified once the PHEG program applications are available. You can also email peter.fosselman@montgomerycountymd.gov and include “PHEG” in the subject line for a notification and check the ”Resources for Businesses” on the County’s webpage for more guidance.
We know how important it is that this assistance gets to the businesses that need it. We will continue to do everything within our power as a legislative body to ensure the County Executive moves as quickly as possible to get it done.
Residents can now submit audio or video testimony (in mp4 format) as an alternative to a written statement. Please click the link here to provide your input as you see topics of importance to you on the agenda for upcoming Council sessions.
The deadline to submit testimony is two business days before Council action. We need your participation and look forward to receiving your feedback.
Discussion with Montgomery College President Dr. Pollard this Wednesday at 8:00 PM. Watch by clicking the Montgomery College facebook page or by clicking this image.
Friday April 10th at 11:30AM, we will be discussing wellness with fantastic speakers from EveryMind, Kaiser Permanente, and Montgomery Parks. To join by video or audio, click this image or dial in by calling (443) 692-5768 and inputting 946 260 872# when prompted.
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