Saturday Baltimore COVID-19 Update

Dear Baltimore, 

I commend you on the efforts you have made to adjust to our new normal. Your compliance to the difficult mandates set forth has undoubtedly saved countless lives in Baltimore City. 

As we all begin to get more comfortable in our new realities, I want to be clear that this pandemic is far from over. This virus is still extremely serious. Even if you don’t have symptoms—fever, tiredness, dry cough, shortness of breath—you can still pass the virus on to others. That's what I mean when I say staying inside could save someone's life.

Remember that my office is a resource during this time. Since mid-March, I have held daily live briefings for Baltimore residents to share the ever-changing information coming out in response to the coronavirus and answer your questions. Councilman Zeke Cohen (District 1) joined me this week to talk about the Baltimore Neighbors Network to support the mental health needs of our seniors. Yesterday, Ricarra Jones of SEIU 1199 joined me to discuss the hard work of our healthcare workers during this time. Follow me on social media to be alerted about my next briefing.

Monday at 5PM, I will preside over the very first virtual Baltimore City Council meeting. This City Council will pick up the important work of ensuring Baltimore residents and businesses—especially our most vulnerable—are protected and supported during this global public health emergency and after it ends. You can watch Monday's meeting live on CharmTV from your computer or device. You can also go here for details about how to call in to the meeting.

Please remember that my office is here to help and answer your questions: 410-396-4804 and councilpresident@baltimorecity.gov. I will continue to share updated information about food distribution, senior services, City Schools, and more on my social media @CouncilPresBMS. 

As always, continue looking out for your neighbors and supporting one another.

In service,

 

 

Brandon Scott
Baltimore City Council President

 

See information and updates on the Baltimore City Council's website: bit.ly/cpbms-covid

Confirmed Coronavirus Cases in Maryland: 3,125

As of this morning, there are 3,125 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, with a total of 53 deaths statewide. Baltimore City has a total of 343 confirmed cases and 6 out of the 53 COVID-related deaths. Again, these numbers will continue to grow as more people in the city and state are tested. 

The current breakdown of COVID-19 cases in by county in Maryland is as follows:

Montgomery County: 653
Prince George's County: 640
Baltimore County: 491
Baltimore City: 343
Anne Arundel County: 289
Howard County: 180
Carroll County: 134
Charles County: 95
Frederick County: 73
Harford County: 44
St. Mary's County: 34
Cecil County: 33
Calvert County: 33
Washington County: 29
Queen Anne's County: 13
Wicomico County: 8
Worcester County: 7
Talbot County: 6
Kent County: 5
Caroline County: 4
Somerset County: 4
Garrett County: 3
Allegany County: 3
Dorchester County: 1

 

Monday: Baltimore's First Virtual City Council Meeting 

The first virtual meeting of the City Council will take place on Monday, April 6 at 5pm. Members of the City Council will attend the meeting virtually using the WebEx platform. The meeting will be broadcasted live on CharmTV, where members of the public and press can watch the meeting. Please note that the Clarence “Du” Burns Council Chambers at City Hall will be closed to the public.

Watch the meeting Monday at 5PM on CharmTV’s cable channel (Channel 25/1085HD) or online. As an additional expansion of access and transparency to Council Meetings, people without access to television or the internet can join the meeting for the first time by phone by dialing (443) 984-1696 and entering code 0245337.

Access an archive of public meetings, including City Council meetings, hearings, and Board of Estimates meetings, on CharmTV’s YouTube page and my Facebook page.

Find information about Monday’s council meeting here.

 

Baltimore COVID-19 Asset Map

Information is coming out fast from multiple sources and ever-changing. I've compiled essential Baltimore COVID-19 resources into a user-friendly asset map. The map has been updated to include youth food sites from today through April 26. 

Use the map to find youth & senior food sites, health care clinics, and shopping options for seniors and people with compromised immune systems. 

 

Keeping Up with the State of Emergency Mandates

On Monday, March 30, Governor Hogan issued an executive stay-at-home order, confining all Marylanders to stay home unless they are conducting “essential” activities, including:

• Grocery shopping
• Obtaining medical care
• Going to the pharmacy
• Taking your pet to the veterinarian
• Essential employees traveling to and from work
• Traveling to and from an educational institution for instructional materials for distance learning
• Going to a meal distribution site
• Exercising
• Caring for a family member or friend

Earlier last month, the Governor put in place a number of state mandates to help stop the spread of the virus. Any resident who does not abide by the mandates set forth is breaking the law and subject to penalty.

Reporting Suspected Price Gouging

I am discouraged by reports I’ve received from residents across the city of price gouging, including in neighborhoods with limited food access. Many of our neighbors are struggling to obtain essential resources and make ends meet during this public health crisis. We must ensure that Baltimore residents are protected from unfair price gouging, and ensure our small businesses can access the resources available to them during this emergency.

I ask anyone who believes a store is price gouging in response to the COVID-19 emergency, please:

• Photograph the product and price
• Provide details (store name, location)
• Contact the Attorney General's Office at 410-528-8662, or email consumer@oag.state.md.us

This week, I spoke with Attorney General Frosh. He has assured me that his office is taking claims of price gouging for essential food and supplies extremely seriously.

Senior Centers Closed - Will Provide Boxed Lunches

All City-operated senior centers are closed. The Health Department will provide boxed lunches at the senior centers. If there are factors that prevent participants from picking up a meal, meals can be delivered as an option by calling the Maryland Access Point at 410-396-CARE (2273), for eligibility into the home-delivered meal program. Click here for more information.

Grocery Shopping for Seniors & People with Compromised Immune Systems

• Giant Food of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware will offer dedicated shopping hours for senior citizens 60-and-older and individuals with compromised immune systems. Every store in their operating areas will reserve 6-7AM, every day of the week for this vulnerable population to shop and practice social distancing. The stores will operate on regular hours of operation during all other times.

• Klein Family ShopRite stores have waived the ShopRite From Home fee and delivery fees for seniors 65 and older, and healthcare workers. If you fall into one of these categories, please make a note in the provided notes section when you place your order.
• SafeWay will have special hours for Seniors to shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9AM.
• Aldi will have special hours for Seniors to shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9AM.
• WholeFoods will allow shoppers over 60 to come to the store at 7AM, which is one hour before opening to the general public.
• Walmart will have special hours for Seniors to shop on Tuesdays from 6AM-7AM.
• Redner’s Market will be open daily to Seniors from 6AM-7:30AM.

• BJ’s Wholesale Club will be open daily to Seniors from 8AM-9AM. 

Meal Distribution Sites

Starting Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 24, Baltimore City is providing grab-n-go meals to all Baltimore children and youth (18 and under) at 18 meal sites. The meals will be available from 10am-2pm and children and adults can each receive 4 meals/person. 

PLEASE NOTE: The city’s grab-n-go meals for youth will not be available on these holidays:

April 5: Palm Sunday
April 10: Good Friday/Passover*
April 12: Easter Sunday

*Baltimore City Public Schools will still be serving meals on this day. Visit www.bmorechildren.com for more information on daily meal sites and times. 

City Neighbors Hamilton
5609 Sefton Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21214
443-642-2052

Maree G. Farring Elementary/Middle School
300 Pontiac Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21225
410-396-1404

Holabird Elementary/Middle School
1500 Imla Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-396-9086

Lakeland Elementary/Middle School
2921 Stranden Road
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-396-1406

Pimlico Elementary/Middle School
4849 Pimlico Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-396-0876

Gwynns Falls Elementary School
2700 Gwynns Falls Parkway
Baltimore, MD 21216
410-396-0638

Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School
1400 W Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21223
410-396-0795

Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy
701 Gold Street
Baltimore, MD 21217
410-396-0800

Dorothy I. Height Elementary School
2011 Linden Avenue 21217
410-396-0837

Alexander Hamilton Elementary School
800 Poplar Grove Street
Baltimore, MD 21216
410-396-0520

The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School
801 Bridgeview Road
Baltimore, MD 21225
410-396-1392

Yorkwood Elementary School
5931 Yorkwood Road
Baltimore, MD 21239
410-396-6364

John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School
701 Rappolla Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-396-9125

Matthew A. Henson Elementary School
1600 N Payson Street
Baltimore, MD 21217
410-396-0776

Arlington Elementary School
3705 W Rogers Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-396-0567

Beechfield Elementary/Middle School
301 S Beechfield Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21229
410-396-0525

Sinclair Lane Elementary School
3880 Sinclair Lane
Baltimore, MD 21213
410-396-9117

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
1400 Orleans Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
443-642-4478

Public Transportation Limited to Essential Workers

Governor Hogan has announced that the use of MARC, Metro, Light Rail and bus service is limited to first responders and essential workers only. All non-disabled passengers will be directed to board through the rear doors of MTA buses and the Charm City Circulator to limit close contact between passengers and drivers. Non-disabled passengers are asked to exit the vehicle from the rear doors.

As always, please allow passengers to de-board before boarding the bus. Disabled passengers will be allowed to board at the front doors.

 

Maryland Health Benefit Enrollment Extended to June 15

A new special enrollment period is now open to all Marylanders in need of health insurance during the State of Emergency for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Uninsured Marylanders may enroll through the Maryland Health Connection, the State’s health insurance marketplace, until June 15. 

 

Department of Transportation Ticketing Guidelines 

Baltimore’s Traffic Enforcement Officers have stopped: 

• Booting vehicles
• Towing for unpaid tickets
• Ticketing for 48 hour parking violations, street sweeping restrictions, abandoned vehicles, and residential parking permits.

Please be advised that DOT is still ticketing for meter, peak restriction, bus lane, bus stop, crosswalk, fire hydrant, no parking no stopping, and alley blocking violations.

 

Small Business Support 

Our small businesses are important to us and I know how tough a time this is for them. The Baltimore Development Corporation is coordinating with city and state agencies & the federal government to identify resources available for businesses. Let them know how you are being affected by taking their business impact survey: bit.ly/2wc7hXG

BDC launched baltimoretogether.com to serve as a repository of information and a resource for residents and businesses. The website will be continuously updated, so if you would like to suggest a resource, please email info@BaltimoreDevelopment.com.

Small businesses can now apply for SBA emergency loans with 30-year terms, for up to $2 million (depending on your circumstance/collateral). If you prepaid sales and use taxes for March you can also qualify for a refund. For more information, email taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov or call 410-260-4020.

 

National Guard

For those who have asked, the National Guard is in Baltimore at the request of the Mayor to help distribute meals at schools across the city. They will also be providing logistical assistance to hospitals and medical teams.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office 410-396-4804 or councilpresident@baltimorecity.gov

 

Federal Stimulus Package

Last week, President Donald Trump signed a historic $2 trillion economic rescue plan. This historic stimulus package will offer assistance to tens of millions of American households affected by the coronavirus. It includes stimulus payments to individuals, expanded unemployment coverage, student loan changes, different retirement account rules, and more. 

I sent a letter to the members of Congress who represent Baltimore, including Maryland’s U.S. Senators, encouraging them to pass a fiscal stimulus that is adequate to meet the grave public health and economic needs created by the global COVID-19 pandemic. I will continue to provide updates as the effects of this legislation begins to manifest within our communities.

 

Upcoming Elections:

The Special Primary Election for the 7th Congressional District will take place on April 28, 2020 by mail. 

The Primary Election for citywide offices and the Presidency, originally scheduled for April 28, will now take place on June 2, 2020. More details can be found at boe.baltimorecity.gov/

To request an absentee ballot, visit this website. 

Handwashing Guidelines

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

 

Multilingual COVID-19 Resources & Fact Sheets

English
Español (Spanish)
Français (French)
한국어 (Korean)
中文 (Chinese)
عربى (Arabic)
 

Latest Updates on the Coronavirus

Baltimore City Health Department Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
Baltimore City Schools Health Updates
 

Get Insured

Information about the Special Healthcare Enrollment Period
Find a Primary Health Clinic (For Uninsured Residents)
 

Follow for Direct Updates

Baltimore City Health Department
health.baltimorecity.gov
Twitter: @BMore_Healthy

Baltimore City Public Schools
www.baltimorecityschools.org/health-updates
Twitter: @BaltCitySchools

Office of Emergency Management
emergency.baltimorecity.gov
Twitter: @BaltimoreOEM

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