Friends and neighbors,

I hope this email finds you safe and healthy. As you know, over the last several weeks, COVID-19 has continued to spread across our county, state, and country. As of this update, there are 580 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, at least 49 of which are in Howard County. We expect that the number of cases will continue to rise as our state and county continues to address the coronavirus threat and implement measures to slow the spread.

Last Friday, March 20th, I voted with my colleagues to unanimously extend Howard County's State of Emergency indefinitely, providing County Executive Ball with the authority to take necessary public health actions to keep our community safe.

This week, Governor Hogan issued an executive order closing all non-essential businesses in the State of Maryland, and State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced that public schools would remain closed for another 4 weeks, through April 24th. Additionally, the Department of Education announced today that all childcare facilities will be closed by 5:00pm this Friday, March 24th, with the exception of those serving essential personnel.

These actions are unprecedented, but they are absolutely essential to our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. Most importantly, our ability to slow the spread of coronavirus also depends on YOU. I encourage each and every one of you, regardless of your age and health situation, to stay home whenever possible and follow guidance from our health professionals.

During this pandemic, my staff and I are teleworking and are always available by email. If you would like to get in touch with our office during this time, please email crigby@howardcountymd.gov . Below, I have included a list of the latest resources for families, workers, and businesses that our office has received. For a complete list of County actions and efforts, please visit the County's COVID-19 website here . Thank you for doing your part to keep our community and our residents safe and healthy.

Yours in service,
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3



March 26, 2020
Resources for Residents & Businesses
County Executive Ball's
Virtual Town Hall
  • County Executive Ball will be hosting a virtual town hall TONIGHT, March 26th, at 6:30pm to provide updates, discuss Howard County's coronavirus response, and answer residents' questions about COVID-19 in our community and other related topics.
  • I strongly encourage you to participate and watch tonight's Town Hall. You can register for the Town Hall online here. You can also tune in via County Executive Ball's Facebook page this evening.
State & County Updates
  • As news about coronavirus is front and center, there are many different sources of information available to residents. For accurate and reliable updates, we encourage residents to get their information and news from County & State officials and health professionals.
  • The State of Maryland has a COVID-19 landing page, which you can visit here. The reporting is updated daily at 10:00am.
  • Howard County Government has a COVID-19 landing page, which you can visit here. Information is updated daily.
  • Howard County Health Department has a COVID-19 landing page, which you can visit here. Information is updated daily. You can also call the Health Department's COVID-19 telephone information line 7 days/week at 410-313-6284.
HCPSS Update
  • This week, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced that MD Public Schools will remain closed for an additional 4 weeks, through April 24.
  • Yesterday, the Howard County Public School System shared its Continuity of Learning implementation plan, which may be read here.
  • HCPSS has provided age-specific guides online for students learning at home, which can be found here.
  • HCPSS is also conducting a Student Technology Survey to learn more about families' technology resources and needs. The survey can be found & completed by HCPSS families here.
Federal Coronavirus Response Act
  • Last week, the United States Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act into law.
  • This legislation, while imperfect, takes significant steps to expand paid sick leave, paid family leave, and unemployment insurance to those impacted by COVID-19 across the United States, while also increasing federal funding for food assistance programs and Medicaid.
  • You can learn more about this bill from these articles here and here.
  • The United States Congress is also working this week to pass a federal stimulus package to provide additional COVID-19 relief measures.
Grocery Store Info
& Delivery Options!
  • If you need to buy groceries, please consider planning ahead and purchasing them online or for pickup whenever possible.
  • My office has compiled a list of Howard County grocery stores, including pickup and delivery options, which you can find here. If you have information that you would like for us to include, please share it with us, and we will include it on the list.
  • Additionally, Howard County REACT and COAD are offering a grocery and medication delivery service for Howard County residents unable to leave their homes. You can learn more about this service here.
HCPSS Free School Meals
  • HCPSS is offering free breakfast, lunch, AND dinner to anyone age 18 & under and/or any HCPSS student while schools are closed.
  • Participants will be given a Grab-N-Go lunch and dinner for that day, as well as a Grab-N-Go breakfast for the following day. Stop by any one of the four school sites or five mobile sites between 11:30am and 1:30pm to pick up meals. More info here.
  • There is no application, enrollment, or fee for this program, so please share this information widely with our HCPSS community.
Mental Health Care and Resources
  • We understand that many families and individuals are under a lot of stress and pressure right now, especially given the social circumstances of COVID-19.
  • The CDC has several resources and recommendations for managing anxiety & stress during this difficult time, which can be found here.
  • NAMI has also published a resource guide for mental health services and information related to COVID-19, which I encourage you to visit here.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Find more information here, or call 1-800-273-8255.
Resources for Seniors
  • Maryland is the first state to offer a free, opt-in "Senior Call Check" service for residents age 65+.
  • MD Department of Aging recommends that all seniors use the program as a resource during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
  • Senior Call Check phone lines are open M-F from 8am - 5pm and Saturday from 9am - 3pm. During these hours, seniors can call toll-free at 1-866-502-0560 to register. You can also register online here.
Healthcare Enrollment
  • Access to healthcare is crucial during this time of heightened concerns due to COVID-19.
  • Marylanders can now enroll in quality, affordable health plans from Maryland Health Connection, the state's official health insurance marketplace, by visiting their website here.
  • Maryland Health Connection has extended their enrollment deadline to April 15, 2020.
Unemployment Insurance
  • If you or a loved one recently lost a job due to COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment insurance from the state of Maryland.
  • The Maryland Department of Labor has put together an FAQ regarding unemployment insurance, which you can read here. If you would like to apply for unemployment insurance, please visit this website for more information.
Business Resources
and Assistance
  • Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) has published a resource page for local businesses and employers looking for relief and assistance.
  • Governor Hogan announced $175 million in state funding for business assistance grants, loans, and assistance. You can find the full info regarding state & federal resources for businesses here.
  • Maryland has received a federal designation as a Small Business Disaster Loan Area. Small businesses can learn more and apply here.
What Can You Do?
Telework from Home
  • The CDC has provided resources and guidance to businesses and employees regarding teleworking and a COVID-19 response plan. You can read the CDC's guidance here.
  • All Howard County residents who have to ability to telework are strongly encouraged to do so.
  • If you are in need of food or services, please contact our office, and we will work to connect you with the available resources.
Donate to Community
Service Organizations
  • Our community service organizations will be working through this crisis to ensure that Howard County residents have access to food, shelter, and services when needed.
  • Several philanthropic organizations have joined together to form HoCoRespond, which aims to raise $100,000 for urgent needs in Howard County. You can learn more and donate here.
  • Please consider donating to the Community Action Council, which runs Howard County's Food Bank and provides food to thousands of our neighbors-in-need. Donate here.
  • Please consider donating to Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, which provides assistance with a personal, mental health, family, or shelter crisis in Howard County. Donate here.
Donate Blood
  • The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.
  • You can make an appointment to donate blood here.
Request an
Absentee Ballot
  • Maryland's Primary Election has been postponed to Tuesday, June 2nd, and the State Board of Elections is preparing for a vote-by-mail election.
  • The Special Election for Maryland's 7th Congressional District Representative will still proceed on April 28th through vote-by-mail only.
  • Absentee ballots are easy to request and fill out. Visit the Maryland State Board of Election's website here to request an absentee ballot.
Support Local Restaurants with Take-Out & Delivery!
  • All restaurants, breweries, and bars are currently closed to the public, BUT you can still order take-out or delivery and support our local restaurants.
  • Visit Howard County has assembled a list of Howard County restaurants currently offering take-out and delivery, which you can find here.
  • Restaurants not on the list can email membership@howardcountytourism.com and be included on the list.
Fill Out the 2020 Census
  • As Marylanders stay home over the next several weeks, now is a great time to fill out the 2020 Census, which is incredibly important for receiving federal resources.
  • From March 12 - March 20, every household should have received a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions on how to complete the Census. You can learn more here and complete the Census online.
Want to Get in Touch?
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3

crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant

cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
Felix Facchine
District Aide

ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
Please feel free to contact us by email or phone. Plus, you can stay up-to-date with Christiana by following us on social media, where we post daily updates on events, county news, legislative priorities, and Christiana's activity! Don't miss out on any District 3 news!