Delegate Susan Krebs, District 5
Please forward this email to your family and friends.
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Governor Hogan announced yesterday that the state will enter Phase 2 of his reopening plan at 5pm Friday. Local governments will still have the ability to put tighter restrictions in place if they choose.
The District 5 Delegation team, Senator Ready and Delegates, Rose, Shoemaker and myself, have been fully supportive of our County Commissioners and their position of reopening Carroll County to the fullest extent allowed under the Governor’s orders.
Below are the details of the Governor’s orders, sometimes they are confusing to try to interpret for every situation, but we encourage you to use common sense as we navigate this horrific pandemic and the impact on our lives, livelihoods, and personal freedoms.
Many of your have written me with your concerns, frustrations and questions on what to expect as we move forward. I try to answer them to the best of my ability, but I am also directed to the guidance from the Governor’s Office that we have attached below. We have been in constant contact with the Hogan administration and encouraging them to allow for the reopening of our economy and to ease the restrictions based on the science and data that are constantly changing. We cannot allow fear to guide our decisions.
Many of you have written concerning the rules directing the opening of child care centers so you can return to work. We have attached the information available below. I am equally as frustrated as many of you at the lack of clear guidance and the onerous regulations that are hindering the reopening of our child care centers. We must base these regulations on facts and not fears.
Carroll County citizens have done a very good job of adhering to common sense precautions and the positive trend to contain this virus is a result of that. We are definitely moving in the right direction.
Susan
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In This Issue:
- Encouraging Trends with COVID-19
- Governor Hogan Announces Stage Two of the Reopening
- More Flexibility Approved for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- Carroll County Awarded Grants from the MD Department of Environment
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Encouraging Trends with COVID-19
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We are not out of the woods yet, but there is a downward trend. Up-to-date information about testing and case counts in Maryland are available at
coronavirus.maryland.gov.
The page is updated daily.
Positivity Rate Continues to Decline in Key Jurisdictions.
Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped to 9.5%—below 10% for the first time since late March—and
Carroll County's positivity rate is 8.4%!
What does positivity rate mean?
With more Marylanders being tested for COVID, it is the percentage of people who test positive to the total amount of people being tested.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations at Lowest Levels Since Mid-April.
Total current hospitalizations have fallen to their lowest level since April 14!
More Than 100 Major Testing Sites in Maryland.
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Maryland Continues with Reopening
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Governor Hogan Announces Beginning of Stage Two of Maryland’s
COVID-19 Recovery,
Safe and Gradual Reopening of Workplaces and Businesses
STAGE TWO BEGINS FRIDAY, JUNE 5 AT 5:00 PM
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What To Expect in Stage Two
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- At 5 p.m. Friday, the state will lift the order requiring the closure of non-essential businesses.
- ADDITIONAL PERSONAL SERVICES: including nail salons, massage therapists, tanning salons, and tattoo parlors may resume operations at up to 50 percent capacity, by appointment only, and with appropriate health and safety guidelines.
- Retailers, offices, financial institutions, car dealerships and insurance agencies will also be able to re-open with public health guidelines in place.
- Manufacturing facilities, construction, specialty vendors, warehouses and technology firms are also included.
- Employees who can telework should continue to do so whenever possible.
As mentioned above, we are contacting the Governor to clarify the
guidance recommendations.
- REOPENING OF STATE GOVERNMENT. Maryland state government will also begin returning to more normal operations on Monday, June 8. The Motor Vehicle Administration and other customer-facing agencies will begin reopening select branches to customers on a limited basis by appointment only.
- Transit schedules will also begin to return to normal.
- Indoor dining at restaurants and bars, as well as gyms, though, are not included in the plan.
- REOPENING GUIDANCE. As additional industries and activities begin to resume, the Maryland Department of Commerce continues to develop and issue guidance and best practices to help businesses reopen safely. These resources are available at open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness.
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New Updates to the
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
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The U.S. Senate cleared changes to the popular Paycheck Protection Program on Wednesday that will allow small businesses more flexibility in using the rescue loan funds. The bill includes extending the time that the proceeds must be spent, longer repayment time, and the ability to use a greater percentage on rent and other approved non-payroll expenses. The bill is headed to President Trump to sign.
Read More.
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What Can I Do To Protect Myself and Others?
Take everyday preventive steps to slow the spread of COVID-19:
● Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
● Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available
● Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve or your elbow
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
● Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices
● Practice social distancing — keep distance between yourself and others and avoid crowds
● Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
● Avoid close contact with people who are sick
● If you are sick, stay home, except when seeking medical care
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The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a grant request from the Maryland
Department of the Environment
from the Bay Restoration Fund to upgrade Onsite Sewage Disposal (septic) Systems (OSDS) with Best Available Technology for nitrogen removal. Carroll County will receive
$286,000!
Carroll County was also awarded new grant funding up to
$347,340
from the Bay Restoration Fund to the County's Stormwater Management Restoration project. This particular project, the
Greens of Westminster
sub-project, consists of retrofitting existing stormwater management facilities, the creation of stormwater management facilities, and stream restoration.
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