 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is encouraged that the County is making good progress in lowering the rate of COVID-19 infections and that it is gradually getting vaccines to residents. However, he thinks safety precautions must continue to be followed and is concerned by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s surprising announcement that he will end most State restrictions starting Friday.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will present his recommended 2022 County Operating Budget in a live broadcast at noon on Monday, March 15. The event will be broadcast and streamed on County Cable Montgomery and through the County’s Facebook page.
 Maryland State statistics on COVID-19 as of this morning, Thursday, March 11, show that 207,500 Montgomery County residents have received their first vaccine dose and more than 105,200 residents are fully vaccinated. The County is now offering vaccinations at County health department clinics to residents in Priority Groups 1B and 1C—which includes those ages 65-74.
 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.
 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 African American Health Program (AAHP) has moved its targeted COVID-19 testing efforts indoors to partner with Black faith organizations and Black Greek letter organizations. To encourage COVID-19 testing, AAHP is providing participants with free on-site services such as vaccine preregistration, groceries, other wrap around services and a pandemic “swag” box containing masks, gloves, a digital thermometer and hand sanitizer.
 Although certain restrictions are easing as the COVID-19 health crisis moves to its next steps, Montgomery County Police and the County’s Vision Zero Initiative are reminding residents that safe behavior on St. Patrick’s Day remains a priority. With that in mind, they recommend residents celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at home, perhaps ordering takeout or delivery for food to help with a safe celebration.
 Montgomery County Recreation (MCR) and Montgomery Parks this summer will be hosting safe, fun and exciting camps that promote active and healthy lifestyles for children. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 15, via ActiveMONTGOMERY.org, the registration and facility reservation system shared by Montgomery Parks, Montgomery County Recreation and the County’s Department of Community Use of Public Facilities.
 The Montgomery County Commercial Food Scraps Recycling Partnership Program of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently reached a major milestone as it surpassed 200,000 pounds of food scraps collected and recycled into a beneficial soil amendment. The program’s success is due largely to the participation of commercial partners who, despite the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, started the program in 2020.
 Registration is now open for the eighth annual Montgomery County Energy Summit, which will be held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. The Summit is scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday, May 4-6. Event hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.
 Users of Montgomery County’s Ride On bus service are being sought by the Division of Transit Services of the County’s Department of Transportation to fill positions on the Ride On Transit Advisory Group (TAG). TAG acts as a consumer advisory panel, serves as a sounding board for Transit Services and provides feedback on Ride On policies, services and programs.
 Two significant roads in Bethesda will experience traffic disruptions through April due to unrelated projects.
 Technology and biology entrepreneurs who want to learn more about funding opportunities to help them commercialize their technology from major institutions and local government can participate in a free, three-day SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research} virtual workshop produced by BioHealth Innovation (BHI). The workshop, which will begin on Wednesday, March 17, and run through Friday, March 19, is co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and BHI.
Medicare enrollment options will be the focus in a virtual forum from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, as the Montgomery County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) presents expert, unbiased information about enrollment in Medicare.
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Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout March.
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 Women seeking to strengthen their financial knowledge and understanding can take advantage of free online financial seminars being offered in March by the Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery County Public Libraries. The sessions are geared toward assisting women, but are open to everyone.
Women's History Month will be celebrated by Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) with free online events throughout the month of March with the series “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced." The programs—suitable for all ages—will feature lectures, discussions and story times.
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