Jolene Ivey; the Stay-at-Home Order

 

Friends,

 

Today I’m grateful to count my blessings — my family and I are healthy, we have a comfortable (although still messy) home to ride out this pandemic, and we have enough food. I’m sad, though, for people who have not been so fortunate. Some of us know people who have died to this insidious illness or who are seriously ill with it. Children among us may be suffering with neglect or violence, without their usual school supports. Indeed, domestic abuse and violence has increased. I’m aware that the challenges most of us face pale in comparison, and I’m doing all I can from my position to help. I’m sure we all are pitching in however we can!

 

Stay-at-Home Order

 

The stay-at-home order by Governor Hogan is needed and the right thing to do, but it has caused some confusion about what it means, and what it includes. The new order from the Governor means that no one should leave their home for any reason other than essential work, to get food, to get needed medical care, or for other limited, essential reasons (such as walking the dog or getting exercise while maintaining social distance). He said no one should travel outside of the state or ride public transportation unless it is absolutely necessary. The Governor said this stay-at-home order was no longer a request as before, but is now an order.

The Governor said the state will enforce the directive. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the order is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

 

Restaurants can still continue selling food “on a carry-out or drive-through basis.” Child care and other types of “residential services” are considered essential, meaning that a nanny, babysitter, or other type of caretaker is still allowed to travel from one house to another and from one jurisdiction to another to reach the job. To clarify the order, Maryland’s Office of Legal Counsel stated that people taking care of children, seniors, or those with special needs can continue their important work.

 

This order will remain effective until after the state of emergency is rescinded or until another order is introduced to supersede it.

 

The entire order can be found HERE. A video of the Governor announcing the order is HERE.

 

FED EX Field Testing and Screening Site

Prince George's County in conjunction with the Maryland National Guard and the Maryland Health Department has established a screening and testing site in the parking lot at Fed Ex Field. This is by appointment only, and people must call ahead to set up an appointment by calling the Coronavirus Hotline first at 301-883-6627.

This site will take people without health insurance or without primary care physicians. Initially the site will be able to see up to 100 people per day, with the expectation that the capability will be expanded as more testing kits finally become available.

 

Schools Update

Breakfast, lunch, and a snack for students are available weekdays from 10 am to 1 pm. School system staff will be on hand to distribute meals in the cafeteria or parking lot, depending on the weather. Students may pick up all three meals, which may include cold cereal, a sack lunch, fruit, and milk in one visit. Under relaxed federal guidelines, parents may now pick up the “grab and go” meals. Parents must bring a student ID or report card with them if the student is unable to come to the site.

The expanded list of sites can be found HERE.

 

The schools are going to continue with distance learning, and will provide Chromebooks and internet access for those students who need it. More and detailed information on this can be found at the PGCPS website HERE.

_________________________________________________________________________________