Summer

I hope you are well and safe during these very strange and turbulent times. It seems that every day there is important news, whether it is from the street, from the Supreme Court, or from within our own community.

COVID-19 

It is certainly good news that the rate of hospitalizations and deaths are decreasing while testing and contact tracing are increasing, but we must all be extremely cautious as community workplaces and institutions open. We’ve already begun to see increases in infections in states where residents have not been diligent in following public health protocols. Please remember to wear a mask, wash your hands, and physically distance from other people.

Since I last wrote, the Governor has announced a series of re-openings, and Baltimore County has rescinded all local orders and is following the state’s reopening schedule. The Governor’s Executive Order changes, with details, can be found here. If you’re interested in seeing the Department of Health’s guidelines with regard to restaurants that are now open for inside dining, you can find them here. Today, gyms, dance and martial arts studios, casinos, arcades and malls may also open at 5:00 pm. You can find additional COVID-19 related resources at my website here.

Black Lives Matter

The tragic murder of George Floyd has been the impetus for millions of people to take to the streets in America and beyond. In waves not seen before, white, black, young and old, have come together in our community to peacefully protest the injustices that black people face on a daily basis and the structural racism that enables it to exist. I support racial equity and the right of citizens to express their views on any topic. That’s why my 11th District colleagues and I were appalled when a homeowner in our district who had posted a Black Lives Matter sign on their front yard woke up to find a hateful sign beside it. Imagine the time and energy it took for someone to write this hateful message and to install it on a property that was not their own. This is a reminder (as if we needed one!) that racism exists everywhere – and in our own community. As a white person, I live with a great deal of privilege and power denied to our black neighbors, constituents, colleagues, and friends. Personally and as an elected leader, I am committed to learning about the history of systemic racism and working to eradicate it. My colleagues and I are committed to creating a world where privilege is available to everyone, regardless of skin color. In solidarity with our neighbor who was wronged, we will post Black Lives Matter signs in our yards and we encourage you to join us.