News You Can Use

July 17, 2020

Montgomery County Announcements

Expanding Testing in Montgomery County Montgomery County released its COVID-19 testing plan on Monday to expand the availability of on-demand testing for residents. Here's how you can get a test. The plan will emphasize increasing testing in communities throughout the county that have experienced higher numbers of positive cases of COVID-19, specifically communities of color, which have some of the highest positive case rates in the county.                      The testing plan focuses on increased testing availability in three specific areas:  community-based testing, testing in clinical and congregate settings, and testing of government and essential services employees. Congregant settings include independent living and older adult communities, group homes for developmentally disabled children and adults, large assisted living facilities with more than 50 residents, nursing homes and hospitals. The county plan calls for increasing the number of county testing sites from three to five. The new sites would open at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring and the Lakeforest Mall parking lot in Gaithersburg. They would provide 400 appointments daily. Read more in the press release. The County Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 21, 1:30 pm, on its resolution to adopt a Board of Health regulation requiring an enhanced COVID-19 testing strategy, with "free, no appointment, no referral walk-up testing County-wide." Wednesday Media Briefing Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, and the County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Dr. Earl Stoddard hosted their weekly virtual media briefing on Wednesday, July 15 at 12:30 p.m.  Click here to watch the briefing. .

Reporting Phase 2 Violations

COVID-19 Free Testing Available

Montgomery County has three sites where residents can get tested for COVID-19. Testing requires an advance appointment, but doctor’s orders are not required and the tests are free. The test sites are in Germantown, Wheaton and White Oak. Appointments can be made by calling the Testing Helpline at 240-777-1755. The line is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The test sites will use oral swab tests so the tests are easier and quicker. Results will be issued in approximately 72 hours.  The test site operation hours are: Germantown. Parking garage behind the Regal Theaters at 20010 Century Blvd. Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wheaton. Montgomery County Parking Garage No. 45 at 11304 Amhurst Ave. Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. White Oak. Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program site at 2121 Industrial Parkway. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

County Resources

This website provides a listing of all county food resources.  It is regularly updated, so be sure to check back often.

Volunteering

Want to give back?  Learn how to here.

Employment

Montgomery County Public Schools

On July 15, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) hosted a live virtual conversation on the district’s draft recovery plan. MCPS senior leadership staff provided members of the community with a deeper look at the initial recommendations for reopening and answered questions from staff, parents and students. Additional online conversations will be held in the coming weeks. MCPS will continue to collect feedback through their online portal.

Read more about reopening plans here.

COVID-19 and Family Violence

Health and Wellness

Caring For a Child With COVID-19

Though COVID-19 impacts mostly adults, children can also contract the virus.  How do you care for a child with COVID-19 while keeping yourself healthy and well?  Here's a story from the The Washington Post about a mother and her experience. 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a full section on their website dedicated to COVID-19 and children.  It includes information about stopping the spread, playing sports, and keeping children healthy.

Mental Health and COVID-19

Montgomery County remains in Phase 2 of reopening, which allows for restaurants, pools, and other establishments to open under certain conditions.  Though a variety of establishments are open, the pandemic has not gone away.  This means that we need to continue to monitor our physical and mental health. The CDC provides a national list of helplines for those in need.  EveryMind,a Montgomery County based nonprofit, has a great list of local resources. 

Sunflowers!

The Mckee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area sunflower fields are now open. It's a wonderful way to spend the day safely outside. McKee-Beshers WMA may be accessed any time of day with no overnight camping allowed. There is no fee or permit required to access the property. The area also includes hiking trails.  The area has no public restrooms, benches or picnic tables, so be sure to plan accordingly.  Bring sunscreen and bug spray along with your camera!

Friday Nights at the Farm

Calleva Farm in Dickerson, MD offers individuals and families the opportunity to relax on a farm every Friday night from 5-8 p.m. Offerings includes fresh lemonade, appetizers and pizza.  Do you like ice cream?  They have that too! Registration is required.

Glenstone Museum

Glenstone Museum is a modern and contemporary art museum in Montgomery County that, "seamlessly integrates art, architecture, and nature into a serene and contemplative environment." This is a wonderful place to go to release stress and connect with art and nature. Glenstone Museum is operating at a limited capacity: Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with scheduled visits every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Maximum group size is 5. Admission to Glenstone is always free. Schedule your visit here.

Get Ready to go Swimming!

Montgomery County residents will be able to use County pools using daily admission rates starting on Monday, July 20. Entrance to Montgomery County Recreation pools has been limited due to County Phase 2 reopening guidelines relating to the COVID-19 health crisis. Daily admission rates for County residents will be $7 for adults, $6 for seniors 55 and over and $5 for children 17 and under.  

Read more about pool hours, reservations, and pool passes here. Questions can be emailed to recreation.customerservice@montgomerycountymd.gov.

CFW Status of Women Report

The Commission for Women is highlighting key findings from the 2018 Status of Women Report. In describing women’s experiences through quantitative data,  the report measures observable progress and trends among women over the past decade and identifies specific obstacles, gaps, and disparities that continue to create challenges for women in the County. 

CFW Programming

Save the Date!

Join us on August 19 as we commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage. Our event will now be online, so be sure to keep checking our website and this newsletter for details. 

National Park Service 19th Amendment Ranger Patch Program Launched

The National Park Service 19th Amendment Ranger Patch program, which helps girls learn about the removal of the gender restriction to voting in 1920 and why civic participation is important, launched June 30 and is available to girls and troops through March 31, 2021. Unlike the regular Ranger Patch program, this program can be done completely online, including in cases where local NPS parks/sites are closed to the public due to COVID-19. Learn more about the program here.

We are looking forward to receiving your entries by September 1, 2020.  Questions about the contest?  You can call us at 240-777-8300 or email us at: cfwinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov

Submit your entry here.

2020 Census

The 2020 Census is a count of everyone who lives in the United States and determines resources and representation. Montgomery County will lose $18,250 for every person not counted over the next 10 years. This money goes towards hospitals, schools, school meals, senior programs and much more. Census data also determines representation and helps us decide where we put grocery stores, affordable housing and how to expand public transportation. It affects almost every aspect of our daily lives! We need to ensure EVERYONE in Montgomery County is counted. The U.S. Census Bureau must keep all information confidential. Take 10 minutes to be counted for the next 10 years and remember that the 2020 Census is Safe & Confidential, Easy and Important. For additional information and resources, visit the County’s website.