Howard County:
Coronavirus Response
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Greetings everyone. As we continue to abide by the Governor's stay-at-home order during week three of the COVID-19 outbreak, I see more and more people posting about ways to help the community. The many suggestions I read about inspired me to focus this newsletter on the myriad of ways that we can contribute to help our community. April is National Volunteer Month and we all know how satisfying it feels to volunteer.
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." -- Unknown
If ever there was a time to volunteer your time and money, this is it. Listed below are lots of ways to help: we are in this together, we are the community!
Stay Safe, Stay Engaged
Deb
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Fundraising During Social Distancing
Nonprofits that rely on financial donations from the community have had to cancel their annual fundraising campaigns in compliance with the Governor's social distancing orders. Without these sources of income, the County's non-profits face uncertain economic conditions as well as increased demand. Check in with the non-profits of your choosing and make an online donation so that they may continue to serve our community. A few non-profits who have recently had to cancel their major fundraising events include:
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Access to Learning
HCPSS will start distance learning on April 20. This requires every public school child to have a personal computing device in order to participate.
The Bright Minds Foundation is raising money for ChromeBooks for kids who do not have electronic devices that enable them to do schoolwork.
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Charities Helping Each Other
Howard County charities are working together to raise funds for local nonprofits that need increased resources for emergency food and basic supplies; rent, mortgage, and utilities assistance; and nonprofit safety and operations
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Grocery Shopping Tips
Please don’t take everything off the shelves or hoard.
If you are older, have chronic health conditions or otherwise at higher risk for complications from the virus, consider having someone else shop for you or getting groceries delivered.
Stay six feet away from other customers and wipe your cart when you are done with it.
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How to Help Alleviate Food Insecurity
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Nonprofits serving vulnerable communities are facing a huge increase in demand in addition to ever-tightening health and safety directives that inhibit daily operations. Here are a list of local nonprofits who are helping to feed our residents and deliver meals.
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Howard County Food Bank
Within one week, the number of individuals requesting food assistance through the Food Bank increased threefold. Additionally the Food Bank supplied community requests for door-to-door food delivery service and food distribution for Head Start families. On average the Food Bank was getting 3,000 pounds of food per day and now they are receiving 1,800 pounds per week. The need for donations of non-perishable supplies is critical. Click
here
for more information.
Columbia Community Care
Columbia Community Care is providing food and household items to people who need immediate assistance. They are present at a handful of school sites in Columbia. The group is in need of donations and volunteers. Click
here
for volunteer opportunities and donation needs.
Grocery Delivery for Elderly Residents
Howard County REACT
is assisting elderly residents and those who need assistance with grocery and medication deliveries. If you need assistance, click
here
or call 410-782-0432.
Volunteers deliver prepared meals to the county’s most vulnerable seniors. Donations will replenish food supplies, subsidize additional transportation and personnel, and enable tech-based efforts to check in on isolated elderly recipients. Click
here
for more.
Under normal times, Neighbor Ride provides transportation services for Howard County's older adult population. During this national emergency, Neighbor Ride is providing food delivery from the Howard County Food Bank to seniors in need.
Grassroots Day Resource Center (DRC)
Help Howard County's homeless population by donating canned items to Grassroots, which will then distribute ready-to-eat food to those without permanent shelter. Requested non-perishable items include canned hearty soups, chili, ravioli, spaghetti-o, fruits, meats, or fish; individual juice packs; and bottled water. Drop off items at DRC (
10390 Guildford Road, Suite A, Jessup)
on Monday, Wednesday, or Saturdays 10am to 1pm in the cart outside of the main door.
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Keep Our Kids Fed
Don't forget about food pick ups for our students.
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How to Help Our Front Line Workers
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Feed the Front Lines
You can donate meals for the staff at
Howard County General.
Click
here
for more.
Essential personnel with the
Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services
are kindly asking for donations of restaurant meals. Contact Jeff Shilling at 443-690-8873 or
email
to coordinate.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is facing a severe shortage of donated blood supplies. Click
here
to schedule an appointment.
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The supply of single-use face masks at front-line facilities cannot keep up with the daily health precautions needed during this emergency. Future guidance from health officials may also recommend that all residents begin using face masks for essential outings. If you're looking to protect yourself or others, the University of Maryland Medical System has provided current recommendations, donation guidance, and sewing resources for homemade face masks. Click
here
for more.
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How to Help Local Businesses
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Gift Cards
Restaurants, nail salons, shops, and other small businesses will struggle to pay their employees and other overhead costs when income is non-existent. Purchasing a gift card or placing online orders, if available, provides short-term funds that could help fill the income gap
.
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Dinner Delivery
Support our local businesses through delivery food services. Click
here
for a list of restaurants that are open and waiting for business. Thanks to Jeremy Dommu at
The Merriweather Post
blog for his comprehensive list.
Councilmember Christiana Rigby's District 3 office put together a list of area grocery stores and delivery services. Click
here
for more.
HoCo Food Go is an interactive map listing Howard County restaurants and bars and their delivery and carryout options. Click
here
for more.
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Senior Shopping Hours
In an effort to reduce seniors' exposure to infected people, many local grocery stores now have dedicated shopping times.
Senior Socials
The Village in Howard
is continuing much of its outreach and socializing activities among the older population during these emergency times thanks to technology. Virtual programs and virtual coffees are still scheduled. Click
here
for more.
Pen Pals Needed
Calling all students: the senior residents at Winter Growth are looking for virtual pen pals. Write notes about a vacation or about an all-time favorite toy. Send your notes to the following Winter Growth facilities:
Keep Your Distance
The elderly are the most vulnerable members of our society when it comes to this virus. Stay in touch with your older friends and relatives,
ask if you can help shop and deliver groceries on their behalf but don't get too close.
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How to Help Pay the Bills
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Keeping the Utilities On
Click
here
for Comcast's disaster support services.
Click
here
for BGE's customer hardship services.
When You Can't Pay the Rent
The Maryland Multi-Housing Association put out the following recommendations for those who are unable to pay the rent due to pandemic-related layoffs.
- Communicate with your property owner or manager about your employment status.
- Collect documentation of your financial hardship, including pay stubs, letters, and emails.
- Request a payment plan in writing.
- Ask for a payment grace period or waiver of late fees.
- Remember that evictions have been halted by the Governor but it does not rescind leases or eliminate your responsibility to pay rent.
- Take advantage of financial assistance from nonprofits, including the Community Action Council.
- Apply for unemployment insurance.
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Looking at the same four walls every day can take its toll. Check out these online resources for keeping busy, happy, fit, and sane.
Self-Care Resources
: A list of all the creative, fun, and smart websites you read about on friends' Facebook pages in one handy place. Thanks to Peggy Hyland for compiling this list.
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How to Help Animal Centers
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Animal shelters are currently closed for adoptions but these centers are requesting donations of food and supplies.
Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue
has set up an Amazon wish list. The top requested item is AvoDerm cat food. Click
here
for more. T
he shipping address for Small Miracles is
10236 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center
is closed to the public and animal adoptions are suspended. Call 410-313-2200 i
f you have an animal-related emergency (cruelty in-progress, animal bite or sick or injured animal). You can also make monetary donations
here.
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Open & Closed Businesses & Services
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Be Counted: 2020 Census
The U.S. Census is underway. Make sure that Howard County maintains its above average participation rate by filling out and returning the Census survey mailed to each residence. Or c
omplete your Census survey online
here
.
The data collected by the decennial census determines the number of seats Maryland has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to its local communities.
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Hearings & Legislative Sessions:
For pending legislation, the County Council encourages the public to submit testimony by
email
or letter. The public can view legislative sessions
here
.
April 6
will be both a public hearing and legislative voting session. The public hearing will be virtual; sign-up can be done
here
. Testimony sign-up will close at 8am on April 6. You will receive instructions for online participation afterwards. Click
here
for current legislation.
March and April hearings are postponed for
- Zoning Board
- Board of Appeals
- Hearing Examiners
- Board of License Commissioner
- Alcohol Beverages Hearing Board.
Alcoholic Beverages Regulations:
Alcoholic beverage delivery and carry-out services are now temporarily allowed from restaurants, bars, and other entities holding a local license to sell alcoholic beverages. Click
here
for more.
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Maryland State of Emergency
Stay-at-Home Order:
The Governor of Maryland has issued a stay-at-home order, further limiting social and business activities. Violations are punishable by up to one year in prison or a $5,000 fine.
- State residents should leave their homes only for groceries, medicine, urgent medical care, or other essential activities. Short outdoor walks for people and pets are also allowed.
- Out of state travel is restricted and one must self-quarantine for 14 days afterwards.
- Curbside pickup at non-essential businesses is no longer allowed. Delivery services must be used.
- Four new drive-thru testing sites are available with a medical referral and an appointment.
- The State continues to increase medical bed capacity.
- Premiums to Maryland Children’s Health Program have been suspended.
- Remote notarizations are now allowed.
Public School Closures:
On March 25, Governor Hogan held a press conference announcing the following:
- Anyone in Maryland who has recently visited New York State must self-quarantine for 14 days.
- Students in health fields can apply to work in COVID-19 field hospitals. Click here for more.
- $4 million will be provided for at-home meals for older adults.
- Telephone check-in services are available for seniors. Click here for more.
- All public K-12 schools will be closed for an additional four weeks through April 24.
- Referrals for child care for essential workers is available. Click here for more.
Closure of Non-Essential Businesses:
On March 23, Governor Hogan held a press conference announcing the closure of all non-essential businesses, facilities, and organizations. Click
here
for more.
Essential businesses include those in the federally defined "essential critical infrastructure industries." A full list can be found
here
.
Liquor stores and day cares also remain open.
Previous press conferences and Executive Orders
can be found
here
. On March 19, the Governor limited gatherings to 10 people or fewer.
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County State of Emergency
On March 19, the Howard County Executive announced the following:
- County parks are closed to vehicle traffic due to over-congregation of people and to discourage the use of playground equipment, as their cleanliness cannot be guaranteed.
- Businesses impacted by closures should contact the Howard County Economic Development Authority. Click here for more.
Click
here
for the press conference. The County Council extended the County's State of Emergency on March 20. Click
here
for more.
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Howard County Government Recap
County offices and facilities are closed to the public and employees are teleworking when possible. Click
here
for updates on essential and non-essential services.
Howard County is asking residents not to dispose of their used gloves in toilets or drains. The gloves will form blockages in the sewer system and lead to overflows of sewage.
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As of March 30, Howard County reported its first two deaths associated with the virus. The State of Maryland has 1,660 confirmed cases and 18 deaths. Click
here
for the State's disease tracker.
Here are helpful health resources:
The County has a special phone line (410-313-6284), which is staffed by an infectious disease nurse if you have virus-related questions.
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Reduce Your Risk of Infection
- Stay home, except for essential business
- Use good cough etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; or cough/sneeze into your elbow.
- Wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Use social distancing when an outing is necessary. Observe a six-foot buffer between individuals.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces daily. Use soap and water or disinfectant with a label that says "EPA approved" for killing bacteria and viruses.
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Resources for Businesses & Employees
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Employee Matters
Unemployment Insurance:
The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance is inundated with claims. Expect delays when calling their centers and consider completing an online application instead.
Click
here
for more.
- Claim Center: 410-949-0022; call hours have been extended from 7:30am to 3:30pm.
- Online application: Click here.
Work Sharing:
This voluntary State program is an alternative to layoffs for employers faced with a temporary decline in business due to lower economic activity. Click
here
for more.
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Business Matters
Business Express:
The State of Maryland now has a one-stop site for business-related issues during the State of Emergency. Click
here
for more.
The State's economic efforts include:
COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund
Click
here
for more.
Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund
Click
here
for more.
Other resources:
Howard County Economic Development Authority (EDA)
Click
here
for more.
Howard County Chamber of Commerce:
Click
here
for more.
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