March 31, 2020
I hope that you are sheltering in place and are safe and healthy with your loved ones! It’s been about 2 weeks since I last sent an update, and a lot has happened in our state and across the nation in that short period of time. Since the Maryland General Assembly recessed, I’ve been hunkered down with my family (we are very fortunate to be together), staying home, venturing outside to get exercise and groceries and spending a LOT of time online and on the phone, working with my amazing staff — Maura Dunnigan and Janet Eckman — to address the many constituent issues that the community is facing right now. I want to make this email as useful, but as succinct, as possible. So, here’s what we’re going to do:
- Provide you with helpful links where you can pore over LOTS of information if you’re so inclined (these are some of the best I’ve found)
- Share some of the best local info on where you can get food, assistance, etc.
- Highlight some incredible efforts that folks in our community are doing right here and now to help
COVID – 19 data
This is a great source of information from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation out of the University of Washington. You can click through to different states to learn about what efforts have been put in place to #flattenthecurve and what the projections are with regard to bed, ICU bed, and ventilator needs. Warning: Be sure you really want to visit this site; if you’re anxiety level is high, I don’t recommend it.
At 10:00 am each day, the Maryland Department of Health updates data by jurisdiction. You can access that information here.
State & Federal Resources
Yesterday, Governor Hogan put in place a Stay at Home Order. If you’d like to read it directly, you can here, but these two documents provide Interpretive Guidance that may be more helpful in deciphering exactly what it means to you.
Governor Hogan has shown real leadership in this time of crisis and our state agencies have pulled together some excellent resources. For information about how your business is affected by the Executive Orders and to access resources available to you, please click here if you need information about:
- Business Closures & Restrictions
- Financial Assistance Programs
- Taxes
- Employer & Worker Assistance
- Licensing & Permitting
- Donor & Volunteer Resources
- Enforcement
If you’d like to learn about the federal Cares Act passed by Congress last week, and want a section-by-section analysis, you can check it out here.
For a Q&A sheet on the Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Cares Act from Sen. Ben Cardin’s office, you can click here.
If you need health insurance or know someone who does, the Maryland Health Connection has opened a special enrollment period until April 15. Please click here to learn more.
If you’re an essential employee and need child care, you can click here to find it.
Baltimore County Resources
For regular coronavirus updates, check here.
If you need to find out about Baltimore County Public School resources, click here.
Baltimore County has a number of sites where you can get food if you need it, including schools, PAL centers and recreation sites. Here is a map where you can find them.
If you’d like to find a restaurant in the county that’s providing delivery or carry-out, you can click here for a map.
If you need help getting groceries or medication, the District 11 Team has pulled together our Need a Hand/Lend a Hand effort. I think we’re good on the volunteer side for now, but if you need a hand, you can fill this out.
AMAZING Things Happening in our Community
Watch out for scams!! John Singer, a retired Senior Attorney with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, created this powerpoint presentation to raise awareness about scams that unscrupulous folks may be using to prey on people’s fears during the pandemic. Check it this incredibly helpful information.
Lynn Kahn, Founder of Baltimore Hunger Project, continues to collect, package, and distribute food to those who need it, reaching deep into the community. Check out her work here.
Alejandra Ivanovich is coordinating an effort directed to the immigrant community through Amigos of Baltimore County. If you’d like to help, check out their efforts here.
The Student Support Network also continues to collect and distribute needed goods. Susan Siegel Katz and Laurie Taylor Mitchell continue their work for Baltimore County students & families in need and you can support them here.
If you hear of AMAZING things happening, please share them, so that we can highlight the good works happening in our community.
I know it’s not so easy to be at home, but my daughter was literally climbing the walls….
If you’re looking for a family project, check out this homespun parody of One Day More from Les Miserables, it will make you smile.
Please stay home, stay safe & stay healthy, and as always, let us know if we can help you in any way.
Sincerely,
Shelly Hettleman
Senator, District 11
P.S. Please like my Facebook Page, where you will find regular postings and follow me on twitter @shellyhettleman
P.S.S. We’re keeping a running compilation of COVID-19 resources that you can access in one spot, right here.