Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, in his weekly
message, provides an update on how COVID-19 is impacting the County and
its businesses; explains why he vetoed legislation approved by the
County Council that would reduce revenues available for
infrastructure—schools and transportation—that are needed to accompany
development; and urges everyone to join him in supporting the County’s
small businesses.
Amended Health
Directive Includes Guidance on Wearing Face Coverings
Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles has issued
an Amended Health Directive that
limits indoor gatherings to 10 people and updates the County’s face
coverings guidelines. The directive states that when residents leave
their homes, they are required to wear a face covering if
they are likely to come in contact with others who are not members of
their household. Residents are advised to always carry a face covering
with them in case they unexpectedly come in close contact with others.
County Executive
Elrich Vetoes Bill 38-20 Regarding Development Impact Taxes for
Transportation and Public School Improvements
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has notified the
County Council that he has vetoed Bill 38-20 that
amends the newly renamed “Growth and Infrastructure Policy” (formerly
the County Growth Policy). The amendment would reduce the funding
available to provide necessary County infrastructure.
County to
Distribute Thousands of COVID Kits to Disproportionately Impacted
Neighborhoods
Nearly 4,000 COVID-19 kits packed with personal protective
equipment (PPE) to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus will be
distributed in several sections of Montgomery County that have been
hardest hit by the virus. The kits will be distributed in areas of zip
codes 20902, 20904 and 20906.
COVID-19
Information Portal Has Statistics on How the Virus Has Impacted the
County, Including Infections by Zip Codes
COVID-19 Deaths by Zip Code,
Montgomery County, MD
Montgomery County officials are urging residents to plan
for upcoming holiday celebrations with consideration for family and
friends as positive cases of COVID-19 continue to increase around
Maryland and throughout the nation.
There are numerous ways to get tested for COVID-19 in
Montgomery County. The County operates dozens of clinics most weeks and
rotates the locations to make testing easily accessible for residents
in all parts of the County. In addition, there are many privately
operating testing programs.
City of
Gaithersburg’s ‘Winter Lights Festival’ Now Open at Seneca Creek State
Park
In 2020, a year like no other in our lifetimes because
the COVID-19 health crisis has changed or cancelled so many programs
and traditions, one sign of the holiday season is continuing. The 25th
annual City of Gaithersburg’s “Winter Lights Festival” is now open
nightly at Seneca Creek State Park and will continue through Dec. 31.
Before Sending a
Check as a Donation Around the Holidays, County’s Office of Consumer
Protection Advises Residents to Check on the Charity
The holiday season sees an increase in charitable
donation drives. It also sees an increase in scammers pretending to
be charities. This year, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer
Protection (OCP) advises residents to follow warnings issued by the
Maryland Secretary of State and the State Attorney General that the
COVID-19 health crisis is adding an extra layer of complexity.
Mental and
Physical Wellness Services for County Veterans is Focus of County Cable
Montgomery Show ‘Homefront’
Mental and physical wellness services available for
Montgomery County veterans are the focus of the most recent edition of
the County Cable Montgomery (CCM) show “Homefront,” which is now
available for viewing. The show featured four experts whose organizations
offer a variety of services for veterans.
County Session
on Transportation Options for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities
Now Viewable Online
An online public session about the many transportation
options and resources available in Montgomery County for older
residents and adults with disabilities is now viewable online. The
virtual public forum was held in November by the County’s Department of
Transportation (MCDOT) and the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS).
County to Hold
Virtual ‘Procurement Fair’ on Wednesday, Dec. 9, to Assist Those Who
Want to Do Business with the County
Montgomery County will hold a virtual “Procurement Fair”
on Wednesday, Dec. 9, to assist those who want to do business with
the County. The fair will be hosted by the
County’s Office of Procurement from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. via Microsoft
Team.
County’s
Department of Environmental Protection Encourages Greener Gifting This
Holiday Season with a ‘Gift Outside the Box’
Much of the holiday season will be different this year,
including gift giving. Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) and partners are encouraging people to gift greener
this holiday season by supporting local businesses and reducing their
carbon footprint with the annual “Gift Outside the Box” campaign.
Local Sikh
Community Dedicates Day of Service to Help Those in Need
In celebration of the 551st anniversary of the birth of
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, members from the Guru Gobind
Singh Foundation (GGSF) and Sikh Spiritual Center in Rockville had
something special in mind. They dedicated many hours over the past few
weeks to collecting blankets, donations and food, culminating with a
special day of service.
Scouts from a variety of local boys and girls troops
recently added a boost of energy to the Montgomery County #MaskUpMoCo
campaign that is urging residents to wear masks whenever possible. Two
troops of Boy Scouts, one Cub Scout troop, four Girl Scout troops and
one Daisy troop helped install lawn signs in area parks to spread
word of the campaign.
