County Executive Elrich addresses the historic and horrific
mob attack on the U.S. Capitol—and how Montgomery County emergency
employees were deployed to help restore order and preserve our nation’s
democracy. He also discusses how the County is distributing its first
doses of COVID-19 vaccines and the availability of updated information
on the County’s response.
County
Administering COVID-19 Vaccines at One of the Highest Rates in the
State
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has taken on various
dimensions around the nation over the past few weeks as the first steps
to combat the health crisis created by the virus are moving forward.
Although Montgomery County is anxiously awaiting allocation of more
vaccines, it has taken swift steps to administer the first vaccines it
has received. Details on the County’s distribution of COVID-19
vaccines, including the list of priority groups, can be found at the County's Vaccine page.
Montgomery
County Designated ‘SolSmart Gold’ for Advancing Solar Energy Growth
Montgomery County has received a “Gold” designation from
the national SolSmart
program—the highest designation awarded to communities by the
program—for making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes
and businesses to go solar. Montgomery is the first Maryland
jurisdiction to achieve the SolSmart Gold designation.
County Launches
Virtual Information Room to Review and Respond to Draft Climate Action
Plan
Montgomery County has launched a virtual information room
to facilitate public review of the Draft Climate Action Plan. The
County’s strategic plan focuses on cutting greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035. The 87 climate
actions outlined in the plan lay the path to achieving the County’s
ambitious climate goals while building a healthy, equitable and
resilient community.
County Biotech
Companies Secured Nearly $8 Billion in 2020 Funding for COVID-19 and
Other Life-Saving Vaccines, Therapeutics and Advances
The COVID-19 health crisis dominated world news in 2020.
In Montgomery County, which is home to one of the world’s largest
life sciences communities, numerous companies have played major roles
in the development of lifesaving vaccines and treatments for COVID-19
and other diseases that impact public health.
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’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a
variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The
statistics are regularly updated to reflect the most recent reports
during the health crisis.
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 operated
testing programs.
JCA and County
to Hold Virtual Employment Expo for Job Seekers 50 and Over on Tuesday,
Jan. 12
The Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA), which
traditionally holds a single, huge employment expo in Montgomery County
each year, instead will hold several free virtual events this year. The
next County Virtual Employment Expo for Job-seekers Age 50 and Over
will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12. It will be
held via Zoom.
Maryland Health
Benefit Exchange to Have New Special Enrollment Period
The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange will have a new
special enrollment period in which uninsured Maryland residents have
the opportunity to enroll in health coverage due to the ongoing
COVID-19 health crisis and the recent rise in the positivity rate
throughout the state. The enrollment period begins immediately and
will run until March 15.
County’s Ride
On, Ride On Extra and Flash Buses Continue Temporary Free Rides
Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
has announced that the buses it operates, including Ride On, Ride On
Extra and Flash, will maintain temporary, rear-door boarding and
suspended fare collection while Metrobus has resumed front-door
boarding and collecting fares.
County’s MLK Day
of Service Event Moves to Virtual Platform, Expands to a Week
Every January for more than a decade, the Montgomery
County Volunteer Center has brought together thousands of area
residents for an afternoon
of activities featured as part of its Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service. This year, the event will go
virtual and will be expanded to a week, Jan. 16-24, with a variety
of home-based and safely distanced service opportunities available
online at http://bit.ly/MoCoMLKDay.
Two Virtual
Community Meetings Planned on How to Improve Wheaton Regional Park
Montgomery Parks will hold two virtual community
meetings—one in English and the other in Spanish—to discuss plans to
update the Wheaton Regional Park master plan. Residents are invited to
learn more about the project, provide comments and ask questions.
County Executive
Elrich Selects Six for Induction into County Human Rights Hall of Fame
Six individuals selected by Montgomery County Executive
Marc Elrich were inducted into the 2020 class of the County Human
Rights Hall of Fame. The 11th biennial event, which was held
virtually on Dec. 27, honored individuals who have made great
personal sacrifices in contributing to human and civil rights in
Montgomery County, either as trailblazers of the past or as current
light bearers in the struggle.
2021 Wheaton
Arts Parade and Festival Poster Contest Seeks Entries for September
Event
The fifth annual Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival is
eight months away, and although COVID-19 continues to
create uncertainty, the planning is in motion for the event that
grows in stature each year. Entries are now being accepted from
Montgomery County college and high school students for the poster
design contest that will add to the enthusiasm for this year’s event.
Be Sure to
Properly Recycle Used Electronics and Dispose of Old Batteries
A lot of electronic items were purchased as gifts during
the holiday season. And holidays also provided down time that led to
using battery-operated items. Those scenarios meant that many older
or no longer usable electronics will be on their way out. It also
means many batteries have worn out. In each case, the Montgomery
County Department of Environment Protection (DEP) wants consumers to
know how to properly recycle electronics and how to dispose of
batteries.
