April 30, 2021

Friends,

As you may know, the Council approved a phased reopening plan this week tied to vaccination rates. The first two phases of reopening are based on 50% and 60% of the population getting a first dose of vaccination. The third phase is based on 50% of the population being fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose). So, please encourage your friends and neighbors to get vaccinated!!

The first phase took effect this week since over 50% of County residents received their first vaccine dose. Some immediate changes include gathering limits increased to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors (up from 25 indoors and 50 outdoors); businesses moving to 50% capacity (up from 25% capacity); and camps moving to gathering limits of 50 indoors and 100 outdoors (up from 25 indoors and 50 outdoors). See Press Release.

I want to clarify that our Board of Health Regulation, which was developed with our public health team, remains in place and is unaffected by Governor Hogan's latest Executive Order to lift the outdoor mask mandate. County residents should continue to follow face-covering guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Council's response to the Governor's Order can be viewed here.

COUNCIL NEWS

At the County Council this week -

PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEES

I am proud to be the Chair of the Public Safety (PS) Committee and a member of the Government Operations (GO) Committee. 

• The PS committee reviewed the County Executive Recommended FY22 Operating Budget and FY21-26 CIP Amendments for the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service; and Collective Bargaining Agreements with Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. 
• The GO committee reviewed the County Executive Recommended FY22 Operating Budget and FY21-26 CIP Amendments for the County's Debt Service; Leases; Working Family Income Supplement; and the Office of the Inspector General. 
  • The Go committee will meet this afternoon to review the FY22 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments for the Office of Intergovernmental Relations; Public Election Fund; and Municipal Property Tax Duplication.  

*All committee worksessions are available to view on YouTube -  https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 Vaccine: By the Numbers  As of Tuesday, April 27, there are 543,696 Montgomery County residents (51.7) who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 365,861 residents (34.8) who are fully vaccinated. See the Montgomery County COVID-19 Data Dashboard for key indicators and more details. For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please click here.

FOR SENIORS

The George Washington University’s Center for Aging, Health and Humanities is organizing an Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit on May 4th and 5th from 9 am-12 pm. In partnership with Age-Friendly DC, Montgomery County, Hyattsville, Arlington and Alexandria, this inaugural, live, virtual summit aims to convene regional leaders and other multisector parties who are interested in advancing age-friendly initiatives. For more info - click here.

The Commission on Aging is hosting a public forum on May 18, 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Countering Social Isolationism and Loneliness of Older Adults. Presenters will share best practices, innovations, and policy solutions. This virtual forum will also provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. For more info - click here.

DISTRICT 3 HISTORICAL NOTE

Bingham-Brewer House 307 Great Falls Road (MD 189), Rockville, MD  This two-story Federal structure is significant for its architecture and for its personal associations. The house is one of only two pre-1830 brick structures still intact in Rockville. The house is three bays across and one bay deep with a small porch sheltering the front door. Several additions were built in the 19th century. Outbuildings include a smokehouse, chicken house, a garage, and privy.  The house has been owned by several other prominent leaders of Rockville, including William McClenahan, organizer of the Rockville Christian Church and teacher at the Rockville Academy; the Veirs family, local landowners; and the Brewer family, members of which were influential in local government, legal, commercial, and educational affairs.

THINGS TO ZOOM!!

Job Search Strategies (in a Pandemic Job Market) Monday, May 3, from 1:00-3:00 pm Learn about best practices for conducting a job search in the current (pandemic) job market. This workshop is offered in collaboration with Melissa Fireman, CEO of Washington Career Services. Must register! Night Train Memories: Sounds of the Cities - Virtual Tuesday, May 4, from 3:00-4:30 pm Join MCPL for an introduction to Urban Vocal Group Harmony (including Doo-Wop) from the 1950s to mid-1960s.  Gentle Hatha Yoga at Noon- Virtual Wednesday, May 5, from 12:00-1:00 pm Gentle Hatha Yoga is perfect for those who are just starting out with yoga, are less mobile, or simply want a more relaxed yoga experience. Supported by the Friends of the Library Chevy Chase Chapter. COVID19 Vaccine Discussion - virtual Thursday, May 6, from 1:00-2:00 pm Join Drs. Andrew Pekosz and Rupali J. Limaye, scientists of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, for a discussion about the COVID19 vaccines. Streaming and Smart TVs - Virtual Thursday, May 6, from 4:00-5:00 pm This presentation will introduce you to streaming: what it is, how to use it, and the variety of content available. You’ll also learn how to watch live TV without cable and how smart TVs and streaming devices can let you watch videos from the Internet on your television.

FOR ALL COVID-19 UPDATES 

VISIT THE COUNTY'S COVID-19 website.

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