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#ENewsYouCanUse
Giving Thanks - The Safe Way
Greetings District 6 Residents,
The holidays are approaching and our need for human interaction and contact is understandably heightened. We long to participate in those traditions and pastimes, congregating with family and friends to make long lasting memories and give thanks for life's many blessings. Unfortunately, this year has also provided us with the harsh reality of COVID-19 and the restrictions surrounding it.
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We continue to see the rates of COVID-19 cases increase throughout the County and statewide. It is strongly encouraged that all residents make plans to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19 in preparation for the upcoming holiday celebrations.
In this week's Weekly eblast/ newsletter, it is my hope that the information provided will give you guidance in making this year's festivities enjoyable yet safe.
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This pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation, so it’s even more important to keep yourselves and your communities informed about COVID-19 and the latest updates by visiting the Prince George's COVID-19 Dashboard, designed to providing the latest information on COVID-19 data trends to the public. The Prince George's Health Department is working closely with state and federal partners and is committed to keeping all residents, employees, and visitors to Prince George’s County safe and healthy. Additional guidance can be found on the County's official Coronavirus web portal including fact sheets and various infographics to assist in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Effective hygiene practices and social distancing is imperative to prevent the spread of the virus. As always, remember to:
- Wear face coverings to assist in preventing the spread of the virus, as it is now a requirement in outdoor and public spaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Prince George’s County Health Department Coronavirus hotline at (301) 883-6627 to receive updated information about the coronavirus disease.
Please be assured that as further developments are made available, the District 6 team will inform our residents through our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and our electronic newsletter.
Wishing all District 6 residents and Prince Georgians a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.
Committed to Service, Committed to YOU!
 Derrick Leon Davis
Council Member, District 6
Prince George's County Council
Update on the County's Efforts to Address the COVID-19 Crisis
As anticipated, the holiday season will look vastly different than what we are familiar with. The County Health Department has important guidance for the upcoming holiday season and encourages everyone to plan for the upcoming holidays including, but not limited to: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve.
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If you must travel this holiday season, consider taking your own vehicle rather than public transportation, if you can. On a plane, train, or bus? Remember to use hand sanitizer and wipe down any surface you come in contact with.
Expecting a special guest this holiday season? Plan ahead to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The Health Department strongly recommends NOT holding large gatherings.
Any type of celebration must include everyone wearing masks, distancing at least six feet from each other, regular hand sanitizing and disinfection of high-tough surfaces.
November and December bring many meaningful meals – whether you gather for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas, follow these guidelines to keep yourself and your loved ones as safe as possible.
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Please take into consideration these guidelines to protect yourself, your family and our community from COVID-19. To learn more, visit the County's official COVID-19 web portal at health.mypgc.us/coronavirus.
Please click on all of the infographics to the left to view larger versions and access additional details.
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Prince George's County Implements Modified Phase 2 Guidelines; Juvenile Curfew is Imposed
As a result of the increasing rate of COVID-19 rates throughout the County, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced on Thursday, November 12, 2020 that effective, Sunday, November 15, 2020 at 5:00pm, the County would implement updated phase 2 guidelines for businesses and large gatherings in response to recent increases in key COVID-19 metrics. On November 18, 2020, the Prince George’s County Council passed Council Resolution, CR-125-2020, that extended the more restrictive prohibition on large indoor and outdoor gatherings and events until January 15, 2021.
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* - All indoor public businesses or establishments that are already open under the County’s phase 2 of reopening, with the exception of essential businesses and retail stores, must reduce capacity limits to a maximum of 25% capacity.
* - Restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors.
* - Essential businesses (grocery stores, specialty food stores, big box stores) and retail stores may operate at 50% capacity but with all safety protocols adhered to.
* - Additionally, large gatherings indoors are limited to one person/family unit per 200 square feet or a maximum of 10 persons, whichever is lower.
* - Outdoor gatherings are limited to one person/family unit per 200 square feet or a maximum of 25 persons, whichever is lower, unless otherwise specified in the Health Order.
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* -Face coverings are now required outdoors in any public location in Prince George’s County. Residents and visitors must continue to wear face coverings inside all businesses and on public transportation, and businesses must continue to enforce social distancing.
Data that County health officials have obtained from contact tracing show that some of the highest risk activities for the spread of COVID-19 transmission include family gatherings, indoor dining, gyms and bowling alleys. Additionally, the County has opted to impose a restriction on the movement, by way of a curfew, on juveniles at National Harbor on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as of the date of this order to reduce or prevent the spread of COVID-19. No juvenile or person seventeen (17) years of age or younger may be or remain in or upon a public street, avenue, boulevard, alley, walkway, right-of-way, or publicly accessible parking garage, place or street at the National Harbor during the period beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and ending 6:00 am on Saturday and at 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and ending 6:00 am on Sunday and at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and ending 6:00 am on Monday, effective Friday, November 20, at 5:00pm. More information can be found by reviewing the official health order and reviewing the Directive and Order Imposing the Juvenile Order at National Harbor and accompanying infographic.
More information on the measures being implemented can be found the in the press release provided by the office of Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Residents are also encouraged to view last week's press conference on YouTube: http://ow.ly/DZrQ30rjYLt.
Council Corner
Residents,
Have you signed up to receive Council Connection, the weekly wrap up of Council activity?
To subscribe and to read the latest edition of Council Connection in its entirety, please visit the following weblink: http://ow.ly/o2pV30reil9.
 COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES FINAL SESSION OF LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2020
Supports Continued Declaration of Emergency; Authorizes COVID19-Related Public Safety Hazard Pay; Adopts “Healthy Kids Meals” Legislation; Enacts Several Zoning Bills
The Prince George’s County Council convened virtually for its final session of Legislative Year 2020 on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. The Council will meet on December 1, 2020, for the Exchange of the Gavel, and schedule a December date to convene in response to COVID-19.
Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, commended the Council’s work over the past year to pass legislation addressing the needs and concerns of residents, especially during the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“This has been a challenging Legislative Year for the Council and the residents we are privileged to represent. I commend my Council colleagues, and the Legislative Branch staff, for a very successful year of work on behalf of Prince Georgians. In collaboration with County Executive Alsobrooks and her administration, we were able to enact legislation that improves quality of life for County residents, and addresses the issues that concern us all, especially during this time of crisis.”
To review this press release in its entirety, please visit the following weblink: http://ow.ly/nNmZ30rkBVa.
Constituent Resources
Food Resources
Stand Up & Deliver
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 62% of our County’s public school children received free and reduced lunch. Since this pandemic began, more than 90,000 residents have been laid off from work.
This has further compounded challenges and increased the limitations for many families to provide meals daily. Additionally, our first responders and medical professionals who are fighting on the front lines of this pandemic rarely have an opportunity to stop serving and purchase a meal.
With numerous goodwill inquiries, calls, and emails from the community-at-large to lend a helping hand and safely assist where needed, the “Stand Up & Deliver” program was been established. It is an innovative and targeted solution to build capacity for community-based organizations and small businesses to address the food insecurity and basic needs of our fellow Prince Georgians.
Through the County’s Stand Up & Deliver program, Prince George’s County will distribute groceries and meals to go on Tuesday, November 24 at various locations throughout the County.
Please click on the flier to the left to review, download and review additional information.
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Community Forums
Bowie-Mitchellville & Vicinity Master Plan
Attention Residents,
If you missed Prince George’s County Planning Department's Playbook of Strategies Event for the Bowie-Mitchellville & Vicinity Master Plan, be sure to sign up for updates, future event notifications and access to virtual presentations/information through the official Bowie-Mitchellville Vicinity Master Plan's web portal: https://www.mncppc.org/3390/BowiePlan.
The Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan will be a guiding document formulated through public engagement to address future development in the City of Bowie and surrounding communities. This plan will replace the 2010 Approved Bowie State MARC Station Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment, and the 2006 Approved Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment for Bowie and Vicinity, and will be based on Plan Prince George’s 2035. The document will carefully examine existing conditions and issues, and revisit the vision for the area. The plan will also consider new strategies for future development and any associated land use and transportation issues.
Participate In the Prince George's County Cultural Arts Study
Residents,
Did you miss the virtual community-wide meeting to launch the Prince George’s County Cultural Art Study (PGCCAS)? No worries! The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation and the Prince George's Arts & Humanities Council seek your input and feedback in creating a report to help guide county leaders, in developing policy decisions that best support Prince George’s County’s cultural landscape, and creative economy for the benefit of all.
With the input of artists, residents, community leaders and stakeholders, the Prince George's County Cultural Arts Study (PGCCAS) is the first comprehensive inventory and assessment of the diverse arts and culture ecology in Prince George’s County and to explore the important role ARTS play across sectors in our community. Additionally, the study will align and energize the arts and cultural sector, residents, and leaders to strengthen partnerships, community participation, and county government.
Community participation is integral to how the study will gather data, raise awareness, and better integrate arts and culture with the needs of Prince George’s County.
Please visit the Cultural Arts Study webpage to take the PGCCAS survey, view/download the PGCCAS Community Meeting Presentation and to sign up to receive future updates.
Constituent/Agency Resources
 Thanksgiving Day Waste Management Schedule
Due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday next week, regular trash and recycling collections for Thursday, November 26 will be moved to Friday, November 27, and regular trash and recycling collections for Friday, November 27 will be moved to Saturday, November 28. All other collections remain on schedule.
DoE's The Sprout Newsletter - November, 2020
New to The Sprout, the Department of Environment's (DoE) monthly newsletter? Click on the logo above to access this month newsletter, complete with information regarding the County's holiday waste collection schedule, the Annual 2020 Waste Diversion and Recycling Awards Virtual Ceremony, pumpkin composting and other helpful tips to keep Prince George's County clean.
DPIE's Under Construction Newsletter - November, 2020
Looking for helpful information and resources on winterizing your property? The Department of Permitting, Inspection & Enforcement (DPIE) has you covered! Check on the latest edition of "Under Construction", DPIE's monthly newsletter for those tips and other agency information: http://ow.ly/a12Q30rjYMX.
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REVIEW: Prince George’s County Department of Public
Works and Transportation's 2019-2020 Annual Report
The Prince George’s County DPW&T 2019-2020 Annual Report is now available!
The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation's 2019-2020 Annual Report highlight the strides the agency has made in current operations and provides an outlook on the direction the department is heading. To view the Annual Report, please click on the graphic to the left or visit the following weblink: http://ow.ly/eadw50BruYX.
The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) is responsible for nearly 2,000 miles of County-maintained roadways that range from rural to urban classifications. The transportation infrastructure includes 900 bridges, as well as shoulders, sidewalks, curbs/gutters, stormwater management facilities, driveway aprons and nearly 3,000 acres of grassy area -- all of which are maintained by staff of the Department. DPW&T’s workforce keeps the County’s various services moving by performing a myriad of activities among which include removing snow and ice from County-maintained roadways, upgrading traffic signals, installing street lights, clearing fallen trees, unclogging drainage inlets and maintaining stormwater management facilities, as well as performing roadway repairs ranging from potholes and sidewalk trip hazards to bridge repairs and resurfacing projects, as well as everything else in between.
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Fall 2020 Community Partners' Presentation
The Fall 2020 Community Presentation is now available online for review. Every quarter, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), Department of the Environment (DoE) and Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) host a Community Partners' Meeting to provide citizens with news about current projects, upcoming programs and concludes with a question & answer segment with residents.
Due to social distancing guidelines, the three agencies that co-sponsor Community Partners’ Meeting– DPIE, DoE and Department of Public Works and Transportation public works – hosted their quarterly meeting via an online presentation. To view the online presentation, please click on the graphic to left.
Visit our website to view news, updates to programs, Q & A and more at environment.mypgc.us.
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UPDATE: COVID-19 Resources
Restaurant Resiliency Fund
The COVID-19 Restaurant Resiliency Fund provides grants up to $25,000 for County restaurants and food service establishments to support COVID-related costs such as PPE, winterization for outdoor seating, and more. Applications open November 13 and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more and apply at: https://www.pgcedc.com/restaurantfund. Click on the graphic to the left to view additional details and to download the flier.
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County Businesses Encouraged to Apply for Employ Prince George's COVID-19 Workforce Development Recovery Rapid Re-Employment Grant Program
Due to COVID-19, thousands of Prince George's County businesses have closed and over 100,000 residents have become unemployed. Employ Prince George's (EPG) has established COVID-19 Workforce Development Recovery Program Rapid Re-Employment Grants to help businesses reopen and build their capacity.
Businesses that hire County residents are able to receive grants through the new Rapid Re-Employment Grant program. Businesses are eligible for up to $50,000 in grants to cover salaries for new employees. Learn more and apply at: http://www.employpg.org/covid-19-workforce-development-recovery-program/. Click on the graphic to the left to view additional details and to download the flier.
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REMINDER:
Face Covering Required in Prince George's County
COVID is not over. Wear a mask. Stay 6 ft apart. Get tested. Save a life. It is that simple.
As a friendly reminder, face coverings are required in all indoor retail stores and business establishments including gyms and large chain retail establishments.
Please click on the above flier to view additional details.
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REMINDER:
COVID Testing
The Prince George’s County Health Department offers FREE COVID-19 tests for individuals with or without symptoms that have been exposed to or suspected to have been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person. All County-run testing sites accommodate testing for those in a car or on foot.
Patients do not need an appointment, a doctor’s prescription, or insurance to get tested, however, you must present identification. There will be no questions about immigration status at any of our testing sites. If you have health insurance, you must present your insurance card. Testing is provided free of charge (no out-of-pocket cost or co-payment regardless of insurance).
For more information about testing, residents can also
call our COVID-19 hotline at 301-883-6627 for questions about testing or other
COVID-19 concerns. Stay updated at: health.mypgc.us/coronavirus.
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Retesting Policy
Retests are available at our Health Department’s COVID-19 testing sites.
Currently, to get more than
one test at a County-operated site, residents must fall into
one of the categories in the attached infographic which details the following:
• have a known/suspected exposure to a positive case
• have symptoms
• are part of a County
contact tracing case investigation and were
directed to be tested.
For more information about testing, residents can also call our COVID-19 hotline at 301-883-6627 for questions about testing or other COVID-19 concerns. Stay updated at: health.mypgc.us/coronavirus.
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Business Compliance – Resident Reporting
Residents that see a COVID-19 safety protocol violation in a County business can report that violation via phone or email.
The County’s COVID-19 Ambassador Compliance Team will then perform a site visit to follow-up on that concern. Click on the flier above for additional information.
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Employ Prince George's COVID-19 Hourly Employee Relief Fund
According to the American Payroll Association, nearly 3 in 4 American workers would have difficulty paying their bills. Employ Prince George's wants to help those hourly workers meet immediate needs, such as utilities, gas, and food through its Prince George's County COVID-19 HOURLY Employee Relief Fund.
The COVID-19 Hourly Employee Relief Fund is now distributing $300 visa cash cards to County residents whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19. Residents who previously received a cash card but remain unemployed can now apply again. Apply online today at: https://employpgedge.com/.
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Contact Us!
Derrick Leon Davis
Prince George's County Council
Council District 6
Council District 6 Email: councildistrict6@co.pg.md.us
District 6 Office: (301) 952-3426
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