Jolene Ivey Coronas News Update

Dear Friends,

These past two months have been a trying time for everyone, and it is sad to know that Prince George's County has been struck particularly hard by the coronavirus. Over 6,300 Prince Georgians have contracted COVID-19 so far, and at least 225 members of our community have died from it.

I have been moved by the dedication with which the essential workers in our community have continued to do their jobs, and of the countless acts of kindness by so many of you I have learned about. Many people who have been confined to their homes have been volunteering and helping in whatever remote way they can, such as the network of volunteers who have been sewing thousands of masks for the hospital workers in the County.

We are all anxious and impatient for the virus to recede and the restrictions to ease so we can return to a more normal way of life, but we need -- both collectively and individually – to be wise and careful as we do so. If not, the virus will resurge and set us back even further. Continue to stay strong.

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The County Government

The County government is still at work, with many parts of it adapting to the new reality of operating with remote video conferencing. The County Council meetings, even before the shut-down, have been live-streamed for any citizen who wants to watch, but now the Council Members are staying home and are attending the meetings via video conferencing, remotely. The streaming County Council meetings and agendas can be found at https://www.pgccouncil.us/303/County-Council-Video .

As an example of the current shelter-in-place reality, I hosted a successful and well-attended Tele-Town Hall Meeting along with Delegate Julian Ivey this past Tuesday, and heard presentations from various County agencies. Some attendees were still able to ask questions.

Someday we will all return to in-person meetings, but in the meantime our government continues to function remotely.

The Budget

The pandemic has created a new reality for everyone, and abrupt changes have occurred in many places and in many ways for all of us. The upcoming County budget was originally drafted prior to the onset of the pandemic, and its economic assumptions and the projected needs and programs are going to be different than originally assumed. The unexpected wide-spread hardships and needs are now larger, and the resources and money coming to the County will be less. The budget decisions are going to be very difficult for the next few years, because the growing needs will far exceed the resources available, and the ability of the County to do everything it wants to do will be limited. Important programs and efforts will not have the money they need and deserve. I am afraid difficult and painful choices are ahead.

Adapting to our new reality, the County Council will hold Budget Hearings by remote video streaming on May 4^th and May 11^th at 5:00 pm to discuss next year's budget. The agendas and a portal for the public to testify are available at: https://www.pgccouncil.us/303/County-Council-Video .

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Evictions Are Temporarily Suspended

Now that it is the beginning of the month, it is important for everyone to know that all evictions have been suspended during the current state-of-emergency. Renters still owe their rent, but if they have lost their income because of the shut-down and cannot pay, they are temporarily protected from eviction. But it is important to pay rent if at all possible; a temporary suspension of evictions does not mean that the rent isn’t owed. All owed rent will have to be paid eventually.

 

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Caring For Our Seniors

The Senior Call Check program is free to residents over 65. It is designed to help keep older adults safe while aging in their homes. Participants receive an automated call every other day at a time of their choosing. If a call goes unanswered, a designated loved one is notified in case help might be needed. The Call Check Program also offers FREE daily calls with messages regarding COVID-19 support and updates. For more information, click HERE. To register, call 1-866-50-CHECK.

Also, do you or someone you know miss going to the senior center for social activities because of the stay-at-home order? If so, the Well-Connected program is a great way to bring engaging activities to your home, and a fun way to stay involved. Well-Connected is an award-winning program offering FREE interactive activities, education, support groups, and friendly conversations with other seniors over the phone or online. To learn more, click HERE or call 877-797-7299.

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To find food assistance click HERE.

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There's Still Time to Respond to Census 2020 !

The more people who are counted in Prince George's, the more federal money that will come to the county to help pay for much-needed programs and services. If you haven’t completed the Census questionnaire, it takes only 10 minutes and can be done by phone by calling 1-844-330-2020 or by visiting  https://my2020census.gov/. If you haven’t yet been counted, please do so.

 

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Free Career Assistance and Educational Opportunities Available

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Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland's statewide primary election has been rescheduled to June 2. The election will now be conducted mostly by mail, with ballots mailed to all active registered voters. Make sure your voter registration is up to date so you receive your mailed ballot! People who are not registered or have not updated their address will not receive ballots. If you need to register to vote or update your address, visit here. Mailed ballots cannot be forwarded, so if you have moved, change your address.  If you need your ballot mailed to a different address, apply for an absentee ballot online here. 

 

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Concern for People With Developmental Disabilities During the Coronavirus Shut-Down

The Arc of Prince George's County is a leader in special education programs and developing opportunities for the advancement and inclusion in the community for all the County’s residents.

Those with disabilities over the age of 18 can call 301-925-7050, ext. 267 and The ARC will provide a screening to help find what benefits they may be eligible for during this time of social distancing and sheltering-in-place.

More information on The ARC of Prince George's can be found HERE.

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County Executive Alsobrooks will host a Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 PM to give an update of the Government’s COVID-19 response. To register, or to submit your questions or concerns, please click here. If you do not want to listen over the phone, you can tune into CTV Channel 76 (Verizon Fios 42) at 6:30 PM on May 7 to listen to the live broadcast of the Tele-Town Hall.

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