 The status of how many COVID-19 vaccines are available is constantly changing across the nation—and in Montgomery County. The best way to get an appointment to get a vaccine also is changing as the distribution system becomes more refined. County Executive Marc Elrich provides some answers to the current availability in the County.
 Montgomery County restaurants would be allowed to operate with indoor dining at 25 percent capacity if County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed Executive Order 19-21 is approved by the County Council. The number of COVID-19 vaccines being supplied by the State to the County health department, County hospitals and health care services and some private pharmacies is gradually increasing each week. However, County Executive Elrich said that the number of people in COVID priority groups eligible to receive vaccines right now still greatly outnumbers the supply.
 COVID-19 Deaths by Zip Code, Montgomery County, MD
Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are regularly updated to reflect the most recent reports during the health crisis. Among the information available is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the County. That information can be found at website.
 There are numerous ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Montgomery County. The County operates dozens of clinics most weeks and rotates the locations to make testing easily accessible for residents in all parts of the County. In addition, there are many privately operated testing programs.
The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs wants area veterans to know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is currently making COVID-19 appointments available to specific groups of veterans at its Washington, D.C., and its Martinsburg, W. Va., medical centers.
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 “Helping Businesses Prepare for Spring and Summer” will be the theme from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, when Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Economic Revitalization and Recovery program continues its series of broadcast town hall meetings to keep businesses informed on programs and strategies for doing business as the health crisis continues.
 A new round of restaurant relief funding is now available to Montgomery County restaurants, food trucks, caterers, breweries and wineries. First-time applicants may be eligible for grants of up to $10,000, while previous MoCo Restaurant Relief grant recipients will be automatically eligible for a $5,000 grant. The funding source is a second $4.9 million aid package Maryland Governor Larry Hogan made available for restaurants severely impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis.
 Students in Montgomery County public and private schools and at Montgomery College who are interested in how the County plans to combat the climate emergency can participate in a virtual Climate Youth Town Hall that will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11. The conversation, via Zoom, about climate action and the County’s Draft Climate Action Plan will be co-hosted by Montgomery County, Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College.
 The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring 29 County military service members and veterans with detailed virtual tributes displayed on the County’s website to mark Black History Month in February.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will celebrate Black History Month with special virtual programs during February.
Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs will be available throughout February. Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering the workshops, which will be presented virtually.
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Nominations are now open for the Montgomery Serves Awards, the County's highest honors for volunteer service. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 12.
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The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, will hold a virtual information meeting about its upcoming project that will lead to road improvements at the intersection of MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) at Jones Bridge Road and Kensington Parkway in Chevy Chase.
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Montgomery County residents can learn more about the programs, events and people in their County through the podcast “What’s Happening MoCo.” In past episodes, the podcast, which is hosted by Derrick Kenny, has addressed important subjects while introducing residents to County government leaders, employees and resources. New podcasts are released twice a month. The featured guest on the latest episode is Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker.
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 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is no longer charging overdue fines. In addition, MCPL will waive all existing overdue fines from customer accounts. The new policy ensures that all residents have equitable access to MCPL resources and services, while eliminating the financial barrier of overdue fines.
Montgomery County’s Office of Community Partnerships’ Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAGG) and Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) are joining to offer a free series of virtual programs on select Tuesday evenings focusing on Middle Eastern American authors and illustrators. The first program, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16, will feature Lebanese-born Helen Zughaib, an internationally acclaimed artist who will talk about “Stories My Father Told Me” that addresses her paintings accompanying her father’s stories of growing up in Syria.
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A free online event for a conversation about grieving what we have lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and finding ways to move forward will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The session is part of a series, “Wellness Community Events: Healing and Holding On—One Conversation at a Time for the Community,” which is focused on mental health and wellness issues affecting the community as the COVID-19 health crisis continues.
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