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Group 1A: Health care workers, long-term care facilities, and first responders. 1B) People at significant higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness 2) People in critical, essential infrastructure roles and people at moderately high risk of severe COVID-19 illness. 3) General population
The vaccine is arriving in the County this week for critical health care workers and long-term care facilities. By the end of the month, the State expects to receive a total of 300,000 doses and so there should be enough for first responders as well. Unfortunately, we still have some time before we will have enough for broader distribution.
With cases and hospitalization rates spiking to all-time highs, the County joined other jurisdictions around the State in implementing additional public health measures. The County Executive proposed Executive Order 139-20 and the Council approved the order yesterday, which our public health experts said is "the best and only real chance we have of having kids in school in February." A summary of the order is below.
One of the changes is to temporarily halt indoor dining. Contact tracing data has shown that 23 percent of COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County are related to indoor dining. In mid-September, this was 16 percent. Predictive models for hospitalizations show an overburdening of our health care system in mid-January and closing indoor dining could reduce hospitalizations by 20 to 30 percent
We fully understand the devastating impacts these changes will have on the lives and livelihoods of our residents, and there are no easy answers. But our current numbers are alarming and place our entire community at significant risk, especially our health care workers who are on the front lines making sacrifices to fight this virus for all of us. Eighty-four percent of our hospital beds were full in the last week and we have experienced days recently where five of our six hospitals had no vacancies in their ICU beds. Without additional action, we risk overwhelming our health care system. By holding the line together and taking these additional measures, we hope to stem the tide and better protect our loved ones and community members as the vaccine is gradually disseminated.
With the arrival of the vaccine, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But public health experts like Dr. Peter Hill of Johns Hopkins have expressed concerns that without further public health measures, the proverbial tunnel could collapse before we get out of it. The State has set the priority groups for this vaccine and you can see the list in the image above. You can also take a look at the State's press release, slide presentation, and FAQs. We expect additional details to be forthcoming as the situation continues to evolve. As you can imagine, our local supplies come from the federal level, and it has recently been reported that the federal government passed up the opportunity to buy twice as many doses from Pfizer so while we expect to receive additional vaccine deliveries over the next few months, the exact timing and amounts are not yet known. We appreciate your patience as the County works with the State to manage our way through these challenging issues.
The Executive Order (Effective 5:00 PM on 12/15):
- Restricts restaurant service to outdoor dining. (Outdoor dining will be prohibited between 10 PM and 6 AM, per an existing Executive Order from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.)
- Carry-out, delivery and drive-through service will be allowed to continue.
- Reduces the maximum capacity for retail establishments to one person per 200 square feet of retail space.
- Requires sports played inside adhere to the indoor gathering guidelines and so the total number of people present is limited to 10. This includes staff, coaches, players, and any parents, guardians, or immediate family.
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Through the County's Holiday Giving Project, the County partners with local organizations that step up to serve families in designated areas of the County. We have two organizations this year that have volunteered to cover the Bethesda area and they would really appreciate your help, especially as they are currently not able to meet the needs of all the families. We don't want to have disappointed children this holiday season so please consider assisting our community members. Community Reach's first distribution is this Thursday and Nourishing Bethesda's deadline is this Friday.
- Nourishing Bethesda has a sign up list and they are asking for donations to help them purchase giant foods gift cards for families.
- Community Reach covers families in Bethesda, Rockville, and the Potomac area. For Bethesda, they plan to provide meals, gifts, or gift cards to 57 families that include 129 children (a total of 238 people), and would appreciate any help.
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December Holiday basket, toy, and gift certificate suggestions are here. Toys should not be wrapped and are requested to be dropped off before the 17th.
- They also need a few extra hands to volunteer for distributions that will take place on the 17th in Rockville and the 19th in Potomac.
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Please contact the Reach office at 301-637-0172 or AndreaKWink@CMRocks.org to arrange to drop off your donations, or to discuss a pick-up for very large donations.
You can now explore over 100 shops, restaurants and makers within the county for your holiday shopping. You can click here or go directly to the gift guide.
Retailers and restaurateurs, you can join the MoCo Marketplace by using this link. At no cost to you, this is a great way to get the word out about your holiday specials and unique gift offerings.
How You Can Help
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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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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has 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. In particular, the County is looking for private matching funds for food security under the Food Security Fund.
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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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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.
If You Need Support
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Domestic Violence: There is support available during this time and all services are free of charge. If you know someone that may need help, the County has a guide on how best to assist them.
- Contact the Family Justice Center by calling 240-773-0444 or emailing safe@montgomerycountymd.gov
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 hours) can be reached at 800-799-7233
- There are many organizations available to assist including:
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Internet: Low income families and older adults can get Home Internet Access for as little as $9.95 per month. Click here for additional information.
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Food Assistance: Call 311 and you will be connected to our new food call center or you can look at 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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Taxi Delivery: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced that it has partnered with local taxi companies during the COVID-19 health crisis to initiate a new program available to participants in the Call-n-Ride program to use taxis for delivery of essential goods from grocery stores, food banks and restaurants. This program is for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
- For Individuals with Disabilities: The State and other partners are collaborating to supplement existing programs for people with disabilities who may be experiencing food insecurity during this pandemic. To connect with these feeding opportunities, constituents should call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 call specialist will connect the caller to a variety of statewide program options.
- My Groceries To Go! for Seniors: Montgomery County applicants are required to provide supporting documentation to prove income eligibility. Participants receive get eight pounds of free, fresh produce every month. Please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471 or email mg2g@capitalareafoodbank.org for more information. The Capital Area Food Bank's website on this program is here.
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Senior Nutrition Program: Frozen meal packs are available to seniors through the County’s Senior Nutrition Program. Partners and volunteers are operating “grab and go” locations and are making a limited number of home deliveries to the County’s senior population. To be eligible, most people must be 60 years of age or older. Spouses of participants or a person with a disability living with a participant, are also eligible. To register for the meal program contact the Senior Center closest to you. D1 Locations:
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Health Care: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period if you have recently lost your job. You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage. Apply by December 15th.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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Housing Issues: If you are behind on your rent, please click here. You can also apply for county rent relief if you are below certain income limits. If you are facing eviction, please 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.
*Additional resources listed at InfoMontgomery
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