Montgomery County will maintain its current pandemic restrictions despite Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announcing yesterday, April 28, that he would lift the state’s outdoor mask mandate and restrictions on outdoor dining as of Saturday, May 1.
The parameters for the next stages of reopening the county have been set now that the County Council has passed an amended health regulation tying loosening restrictions to the percentage of vaccinated residents.
The County Council is planning an introduction, public hearing and vote next week on a revised Board of Health regulation that would add automatic triggers for reopening the county based on the percentage of residents receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The proposal would amend the current regulation to add three phases of reopening based on the percentages reported by the county’s health officer to the Board of Health.
The African American Health Program has released two additional videos, each featuring a local media personality, in its campaign to urge the African American community to get tested for COVID-19. Comedian and WPGC 95.5-FM host Joe Clair along with Fox 5 Morning News anchor (and county resident) Wisdom Martin both talk about the need to “Don’t Stress, Take the Test,” the campaign’s tagline.
The African American Health Program has released a new video in its campaign to urge the African American community to get tested for COVID-19. The new video features county resident and Vietnam War veteran Dr. Raphael Gray, who sees a parallel between that war and the current pandemic.
All Maryland residents aged 16 and older are eligible as of today (April 6) for a COVID-19 vaccination at the state’s mass vaccination sites, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced yesterday. In addition, the governor said that all residents 16 and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine from all providers, such as pharmacies and hospitals, as of Monday, April 12.
Adventist HealthCare has formed a partnership with CASA and the Latino Health Initiative to vaccinate 600 Montgomery and Prince George’s county Latinos per week at its Takoma Park facility, officials with the groups announced. CASA will sign up 300 Prince George’s County residents, while “Our Health and Wellness” initiative (“Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar,”) will include 300 from Montgomery County.
Maryland’s governor delivered some good news and some dismaying news to the county regarding the COVID–19 vaccine this week. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) yesterday announced that Montgomery County would be getting one of six new mass vaccination sites around the state. However, the governor also issued an order that forbade other jurisdictions, such as the county, to make vaccine priority rules that were different from the state’s rules.
The county’s Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for the FY22 Community Services Grants Program, officials announced. The one-time grants of up to $10,000 are available “to support health and human service projects that promote a safe, healthy, and self-sufficient community.”