 During the week that brings about Black History Month and the start of the Lunar New Year, County Executive Marc Elrich urges cautious optimism as he notes that we appear to be on the other side of the most recent COVID-19 surge in the 23 months we have been dealing with it. He notes that while about half of our eligible population has received boosters, we’re seeing a slowdown in the number of eligible people getting boosters along with COVID-19 testing and reminds us that both components are necessary to control this pandemic. He praises Montgomery County companies like Novavax and Maxim, which are doing their part as immunology companies with groundbreaking vaccine, cell, and gene therapy work and are thriving here in the County. County Executive Elrich highlights the urgency of combating climate change and our work to do just that, and, in light of National Library Lovers Month, he praises MCPL and the crucial role they continue to play in the distribution of N95 masks and COVID-19 take-home self-test kits.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries will host free programs in observance of Black History Month throughout February. All programs will be offered virtually.
 Montgomery County residents can pick up free, adult-sized N95 masks and COVID-19 test kits at 19 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) branches. Along with getting COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, wearing a well-fitting mask in indoor public settings or in crowds is important protection from the virus.
Metro has announced that Metrobus will return to regular weekday service on Monday, Feb. 7. Metrobus has been operating on a modified Saturday schedule, offering approximately 75 percent of normal weekday service, since Jan. 10 due to covid-related staffing shortages. In addition, Metro will require riders to have newer farecards starting March 1.
 The Public Health Services’ Chronic Disease Working Group of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public health professionals, health care providers, social service providers and other professionals to join the recently launched “Unite 2 Integrate Diabetes Coalition.” The group will aim to learn from each other about strategies to improve Type 2 diabetes outcomes for underserved and vulnerable community residents.
 Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are updated to reflect the most recent reports from the State of Maryland during the health crisis. Among the information available is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the County.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is seeking applicants to serve on two separate Corridor Advisory Committees that will provide feedback on the North Bethesda and New Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) planning studies.
Montgomery History Black History Month Online Event on Tuesday, Feb. 8, Will Feature ‘An Illustrated Talk on the Life of Portia Washington Pittman’
Montgomery History’s Celebration of Black History Month will continue at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, with the online presentation An Illustrated Talk on the Life of Portia Washington Pittman.
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 “Library Lovers Month 2022” will kick off with a free virtual event at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, featuring an ocean-themed STEM program for elementary school aged youth presented by the “Hip Hop M.D.” Maynard Okereke
Valentine’s Day will be celebrated with an afternoon filled with free outdoor fun and activities from noon-4 p.m. during the “I Love Wheaton” event on Sunday, Feb. 13, at Marian Fryer Town Plaza.
 Residents who plan to run for office in Montgomery County elections and participate in the 2022 primaries must meet the filing deadline of Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Rockville Little Theatre presents ‘Bad Seed’ on Feb. 4, 5 and 6
Christine Penmark seems to have it all, but when a child drowns under suspicious circumstances, the whole town starts to speculate about what really happened. Was it truly an accident? Was it a classmate? Who knows more than they are telling? The plot will unravel in the presentation of Bad Seed at the Rockville Little Theatre on Feb. 4, 5 and 6 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.
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The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) can point to many examples of why the world-impacting drug and medical science developments being advanced here make Montgomery the “Immunology Capital Next to the Nation’s Capital.” Several companies supported by MCEDC have recently taken significant strides.
County Executive Marc Elrich is encouraging residents to “Get All Your Tax Credits.” Residents with household incomes of $58,000 or less may be eligible for the Federal, State and County Earned Income Tax Credits and could get free tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries is inviting residents to tell and record their stories about how the COVID-19 health has impacted their lives. The project “Living and Dying with COVID-19: The Maryland Stories” is part of a statewide initiative to record residents’ stories, which will become part of the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Digital Maryland and Maryland State Archives collections.
 The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has released its 2021 Year in Review video with department highlights from the past year.
 The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights has launched “Second Chance,” a comprehensive public education campaign to educate the public and improve the understanding of the revised “Ban the Box” law (Montgomery County Code Section 27-72) and the revised “Housing Justice Act” law (Montgomery County Code Section 27-15A). Rights protected under the law cover employment, public accommodations, housing, and commercial real estate. In partnership with community-based organizations and advocates, the campaign centers on informing individuals with past criminal history and providers of employment and housing.
Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting renters, job seekers and entrepreneurs will be offered throughout February. The programs are sponsored by Montgomery County Public Libraries.
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