DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, April 08, 2020
Governor Hogan Activates Statewide Strike Teams for Nursing Homes, Enacts Order to Shut Down Unsafe Facilities
Tours Field Hospital Site at Baltimore Convention CenterDirects Health Department to Provide Racial and Ethnic Breakdowns on COVID-19 CasesAnnounces Designation of Baltimore-Washington Corridor as Emerging Hotspot by Federal Administration
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today toured the state’s field hospital site at the Baltimore Convention Center, where he announced additional actions to slow the spread of COVID-19. Actions the governor announced today in Baltimore City include:
- New strike teams to help nursing home facilities in need of additional support
- A new executive order empowering local health departments to shut down any business, establishment, or construction site it deems unsafe
- The release of additional demographic breakdowns of Maryland case data, including hospitalization rates and mortality
The governor also announced that the White House and federal officials have now designated the Baltimore-Washington corridor as an emerging hotspot.
“This virus continues to spread in every single jurisdiction in the state, but the concentration of Maryland cases has rapidly intensified particularly in the Baltimore-Washington corridor,” said Governor Hogan. “Over the past two weeks I have been sounding the alarm with the president, the vice president, members of the president’s task force, and other top administration officials, and I’m pleased to report that we have succeeded in convincing the Trump administration to designate the greater Baltimore-Washington corridor as a priority.”
Below is a comprehensive list of actions and updates the governor announced today:
STRIKE TEAMS FOR NURSING HOMES: Governor Hogan announced the formation of statewide strike teams, the first such effort in the nation, to provide support to nursing home facilities. The teams will be composed of members of the National Guard, representatives of local and state health departments, and EMS clinicians, as well as doctors and nurses from local hospital systems. These strike teams will be activated in response to requests from nursing homes, local health departments, and Maryland Department of Health (MDH) infectious disease experts. There will be three types of teams:
SHUTTING DOWN UNSAFE FACILITIES: Governor Hogan has issued a new executive order empowering local health departments to take action against any businesses, establishments, and construction sites they deem unsafe. The local health department, working with local law enforcement, can modify operations, limit movements to and from the facilities, or shut them down altogether. Read the governor’s order.
BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON CORRIDOR: After weeks of pressing for action, Governor Hogan announced that top federal officials have agreed to designate the greater Baltimore-Washington corridor as a priority and emerging hotspot. This includes Baltimore City and Baltimore County, as well as Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Queen Anne’s counties.
RELEASE OF ADDITIONAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA: Governor Hogan has directed MDH—through the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities—to immediately take all actions necessary in order to provide further demographic breakdowns on race and ethnicity for all case data, including hospitalization rates and mortality. This week, MDH’s coronavirus resource page, coronavirus.maryland.gov, will begin displaying available data on racial and ethnic breakdown of COVID-19 cases, with updates as new data becomes available.
BALTIMORE CITY EFFORTS: Governor Hogan announced that the state will continue to support Baltimore City’s efforts to fight COVID-19, including the field hospital site, where COVID-19 patients who no longer require hospitalization will be able to complete their care and fully recover. The state will continue to provide support to the Baltimore Police Department as needed, and help stand up the community-based screening site at the Pimlico race course.
HOSPITAL SURGE UPDATE: Governor Hogan provided an update on the state’s hospital surge plan, announcing that the state has—on an emergency basis—approved 27 newly licensed assisting living programs, 42 residential sites for individuals with developmental disabilities, six newly licensed residential service agencies to provide home-based services, and 14 newly licensed clinical laboratories.
MARYLAND UNITES: Governor Hogan also encouraged Marylanders to donate and volunteer through the Maryland Unites initiative, saying, “While social distancing keeps us physically isolated from one another, there are so many examples of how in many ways this crisis is bringing Marylanders closer together with compassion and generosity.” Thousands of Marylanders have already answered the governor’s calls to action by registering for the Maryland Responds Reserve Medical Corps, making appointments to give blood, and donating to the Maryland Food Bank and other critical organizations.
All of Governor Hogan’s emergency orders and proclamations are available here. For COVID-19 resources, including case counts and clinician guidance, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov.
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Harris Announces Additional Coronavirus Grants to Eastern Shore
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of $3,123,465 in federal grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Funding was provided by the recently enacted CARES Act, also known as the “Phase III” Congressional emergency legislation.
Specifically, three health centers serving the Eastern Shore have been awarded funding:
West Cecil Health Center, Inc - $749,885
Choptank Community Health System, Inc. - $1,068,110
Three Lower Counties Community Services, Inc. - $1,305,470
Congressman Harris made the following statement:
“While I had grave concerns about the hundreds of millions of dollars of unrelated spending included in the Phase III Coronavirus emergency response bill, getting this relevant funding to the states and local agencies is critical, and as a physician, I am pleased our local front line rural health centers will soon receive significant financial assistance.”
Specifically, three health centers serving the Eastern Shore have been awarded funding:
West Cecil Health Center, Inc - $749,885
Choptank Community Health System, Inc. - $1,068,110
Three Lower Counties Community Services, Inc. - $1,305,470
Congressman Harris made the following statement:
“While I had grave concerns about the hundreds of millions of dollars of unrelated spending included in the Phase III Coronavirus emergency response bill, getting this relevant funding to the states and local agencies is critical, and as a physician, I am pleased our local front line rural health centers will soon receive significant financial assistance.”
Manipulation Through Racial Hoaxes
We black people are so convenient and useful to America’s leftists. Whenever there’s a bit of silencing to be done, just accuse a detractor or critic of racism.
A recent, particularly stupid, example is CNN’s Brandon Tensley’s complaint that the “coronavirus task force is another example of Trump administration’s lack of diversity.”
Tensley said the virus experts are “largely the same sorts of white men (and a couple women on the sidelines) who’ve dominated the Trump administration from the very beginning.”
I’d like for Tensley to tell us just what racial or sex diversity contribute to finding a cure or treatment for the coronavirus.
More
A recent, particularly stupid, example is CNN’s Brandon Tensley’s complaint that the “coronavirus task force is another example of Trump administration’s lack of diversity.”
Tensley said the virus experts are “largely the same sorts of white men (and a couple women on the sidelines) who’ve dominated the Trump administration from the very beginning.”
I’d like for Tensley to tell us just what racial or sex diversity contribute to finding a cure or treatment for the coronavirus.
More
Kennedy Center Strikes Deal to Pay Orchestra
Culture org attempted to cut pay after receiving $25 million bailout
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has struck a deal with members of the National Symphony Orchestra after attempting to halt salary payments to the musicians.
The organization's decision ignited a furor because it came just hours after President Donald Trump signed a stimulus package that sent the Kennedy Center $25 million. Tuesday's move is an attempt to quell the anger.
The District of Columbia Federation of Musicians, the union that represents the orchestra members, announced to its 96 members on Tuesday morning that it had reached a deal to avoid unpaid furloughs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Under the terms of the new agreement, musicians will take a partial pay cut as long as the Kennedy Center remains closed. They will also accept a wage freeze for the remainder of the calendar year.
In exchange for continued pay, the musicians agreed to drop a grievance filed against the Kennedy Center. Orchestra leaders welcomed the development but maintained that the center's actions were illegal.
More
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has struck a deal with members of the National Symphony Orchestra after attempting to halt salary payments to the musicians.
The organization's decision ignited a furor because it came just hours after President Donald Trump signed a stimulus package that sent the Kennedy Center $25 million. Tuesday's move is an attempt to quell the anger.
The District of Columbia Federation of Musicians, the union that represents the orchestra members, announced to its 96 members on Tuesday morning that it had reached a deal to avoid unpaid furloughs stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Under the terms of the new agreement, musicians will take a partial pay cut as long as the Kennedy Center remains closed. They will also accept a wage freeze for the remainder of the calendar year.
In exchange for continued pay, the musicians agreed to drop a grievance filed against the Kennedy Center. Orchestra leaders welcomed the development but maintained that the center's actions were illegal.
More
Chicago Mayor Flouts Stay-At-Home Order to Get Haircut
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot (D.) is on defense after she was spotted getting a haircut, flouting Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order that also shut down nonessential businesses like hair salons.
Photos emerged Sunday of Lightfoot getting a trim after the mayor made public service announcements encouraging social distancing and saying activities like "getting your roots done" were not essential.
Lightfoot was flustered Monday when reporters confronted her about the mixed messaging.
"I'm the public face of this city," she said. "I'm on national media and I'm out in the public eye. I take my personal hygiene very seriously. I felt like I needed to have a haircut. I'm not able to do that myself, and so, I got a haircut. You want to talk more about that?"
She said if she did her hair herself, it would be a "disaster" and the media's focus should be on people dying of the virus.
Even amid coronavirus, Democrats keep up their partisan games
America was stirring with opportunity at the beginning of 2017. Disrupter, energizer, and businessman Donald Trump had just been elected president.
After years of Obama-Biden economic malaise, businesses small and large were eager for the Trump economy to restore America to its best, richest self. Markets responded, gaining hundreds of points within days amid record-high trading volume, and a marked uptick in optimism — the knowledge that America’s best days were still to come.
Those heady days were an opportunity to rally together, under the leadership of a non-ideological president who was eager to make deals with our allies, better deals with our adversaries, and honest deals with dishonest politicians in both parties. After all, who could reasonably oppose policies that put America and the American people first?
More
After years of Obama-Biden economic malaise, businesses small and large were eager for the Trump economy to restore America to its best, richest self. Markets responded, gaining hundreds of points within days amid record-high trading volume, and a marked uptick in optimism — the knowledge that America’s best days were still to come.
Those heady days were an opportunity to rally together, under the leadership of a non-ideological president who was eager to make deals with our allies, better deals with our adversaries, and honest deals with dishonest politicians in both parties. After all, who could reasonably oppose policies that put America and the American people first?
More
Jared Kushner sped set up of drive-in virus testing, say officials
With a trademark shrug, Jared Kushner, President Trump’s fixer, has flicked off a wave of criticism for his involvement in the coronavirus war to help speed up the opening of drugstore virus drive-in tests and the collection of millions of N95 masks and ventilators, according to senior administration officials.
Rapped in the media for causing disruption in the multiagency effort, several senior officials involved with the fight on Tuesday gave Kushner credit for clearing a path for government and private industry to team up and solve critical issues.
One key area is the drive-up virus testing long promised but unfulfilled. This week, officials said that Kushner’s push for drive-ups succeeded when CVS opened three and several other drugstore giants followed suit.
More
Rapped in the media for causing disruption in the multiagency effort, several senior officials involved with the fight on Tuesday gave Kushner credit for clearing a path for government and private industry to team up and solve critical issues.
One key area is the drive-up virus testing long promised but unfulfilled. This week, officials said that Kushner’s push for drive-ups succeeded when CVS opened three and several other drugstore giants followed suit.
More
Amazon To Suspend Delivery Service Competing With UPS, FedEx
Amazon.com Inc will suspend a delivery service that aims to compete with UPS and FedEx in the United States.
The online retailer told customers that the service, Amazon Shipping, will be paused starting in June, according to the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report the change.
Amazon is suspending the service because it needs people and capacity to handle a surge in its own customers’ orders, the Journal reported, citing sources.
“We regularly look at a variety of factors across Amazon to make sure we’re set up in the right way to best serve our customers,” an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters in an email confirming the halt in service.
More
The online retailer told customers that the service, Amazon Shipping, will be paused starting in June, according to the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report the change.
Amazon is suspending the service because it needs people and capacity to handle a surge in its own customers’ orders, the Journal reported, citing sources.
“We regularly look at a variety of factors across Amazon to make sure we’re set up in the right way to best serve our customers,” an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters in an email confirming the halt in service.
More
CAN GYMS CLOSED BY PANDEMIC KEEP BILLING MEMBERS?
State law prohibits health clubs that are closed for longer than a month during the COVID-19 pandemic from billing members who pay month-to-month, the office of Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said.
For members with contracts of at least three months, gyms, health clubs, fitness centers and self-defense schools must either extend contracts for the equivalent time of the closure or provide prorated refunds.
“Additionally, Fitness Centers cannot require that members proactively take action to freeze their membership or charge freeze fees as a result of the mandated closures,” a statement from Frosh’s office said.
All gyms, health clubs, fitness centers and self-defense schools in the state have been closed to the public since March 16 due to the COVID-19 crisis. Gov. Larry Hogan’s stay-at-home executive order mandated that Marylanders stay at home and closed all non-essential businesses.
More
For members with contracts of at least three months, gyms, health clubs, fitness centers and self-defense schools must either extend contracts for the equivalent time of the closure or provide prorated refunds.
“Additionally, Fitness Centers cannot require that members proactively take action to freeze their membership or charge freeze fees as a result of the mandated closures,” a statement from Frosh’s office said.
All gyms, health clubs, fitness centers and self-defense schools in the state have been closed to the public since March 16 due to the COVID-19 crisis. Gov. Larry Hogan’s stay-at-home executive order mandated that Marylanders stay at home and closed all non-essential businesses.
More
Programs adapt to feed hungry in Maryland during pandemic
OLNEY, Md. — Government programs, food banks and nonprofit organizations aiding people who struggle to put food on the table have had to adapt to the novel coronavirus pandemic, and they say stress levels have moved beyond typical levels.
As more Marylanders encounter food insecurity, schools, nonprofits and others must figure out a way to get more food to more people, but with less staff and safety concerns hampering their ability to do so.
Organizations must weigh the possibility that volunteers and staff who are handling food could transmit or acquire the virus.
More
As more Marylanders encounter food insecurity, schools, nonprofits and others must figure out a way to get more food to more people, but with less staff and safety concerns hampering their ability to do so.
Organizations must weigh the possibility that volunteers and staff who are handling food could transmit or acquire the virus.
More
Berlin Museum Seeks Community Stories, Artifacts
BERLIN – Officials with the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum are encouraging community members to share their experiences during the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum launched an effort to collect written and oral testimonies and artifacts from community members that document life in Berlin during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Facebook post reads, “The Taylor House Museum would like to know how everyone is doing in and around Berlin. We are living through an unprecedented event in history, as such the museum would like to create an archive of how COVID-19 is affecting lives in Berlin. If you are a resident, business owner or visitor we would like to hear your experiences. You can email us any voice memos, or written records you are keeping about this exceptional time in our history.”
More
Last week, the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum launched an effort to collect written and oral testimonies and artifacts from community members that document life in Berlin during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Facebook post reads, “The Taylor House Museum would like to know how everyone is doing in and around Berlin. We are living through an unprecedented event in history, as such the museum would like to create an archive of how COVID-19 is affecting lives in Berlin. If you are a resident, business owner or visitor we would like to hear your experiences. You can email us any voice memos, or written records you are keeping about this exceptional time in our history.”
More
Trump Installs Ejection Seats Throughout Press Briefing Room
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Trump excitedly unveiled his latest improvements to the White House Press Briefing Room at Monday night's press conference: ejection seats.
Controlled by a panel on Trump's podium, the ejection seats allow him to instantly send any White House reporter on a free trip to somewhere a few hundred yards down Pennsylvania Avenue. Any journalist parroting Chinese propaganda, insulting the president, or asking a question without referring to Trump as "His Majesty Donald Trump May He Live Forever" is likely to get a free flight courtesy of the White House.
"Mr. President, why do you hate AmericaaaaaaaaAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" screamed one reporter as Trump solemnly pressed a button and sent her rocketing through the roof. Stunned journalists stared in shock at their colleague soaring hundreds of feet into the air. They were speechless, which was a "welcome change" according to sources.
More Satire
Controlled by a panel on Trump's podium, the ejection seats allow him to instantly send any White House reporter on a free trip to somewhere a few hundred yards down Pennsylvania Avenue. Any journalist parroting Chinese propaganda, insulting the president, or asking a question without referring to Trump as "His Majesty Donald Trump May He Live Forever" is likely to get a free flight courtesy of the White House.
"Mr. President, why do you hate AmericaaaaaaaaAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" screamed one reporter as Trump solemnly pressed a button and sent her rocketing through the roof. Stunned journalists stared in shock at their colleague soaring hundreds of feet into the air. They were speechless, which was a "welcome change" according to sources.
More Satire
'This is a tough number to have to report': DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says one in seven Washington residents could be infected with COVID-19 as more than 700 test positive with the virus in the city
Washington DC's mayor said during a Friday press conference that bleak projections show that one in seven of the city's residents could be infected with the coronavirus.
Democrat Muriel Bowser said that roughly 93,000 people could contract COVID-19 in the city, according to model projection city officials are relying on.
Included in the projection are people who have tested positive for the virus but have since recovered, the Washington Post reports.
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Democrat Muriel Bowser said that roughly 93,000 people could contract COVID-19 in the city, according to model projection city officials are relying on.
Included in the projection are people who have tested positive for the virus but have since recovered, the Washington Post reports.
More
Car insurance companies will give customers back $800 million in premiums because no one is driving during coronavirus shutdowns
Major U.S. car insurance companies say they will return at least $800 million in premiums over the next few months because Americans are driving much less due to stay-at-home orders aimed at curbing the coronavirus outbreak.
Allstate Corp, one of the largest U.S. auto insurers, said on Monday that most customers will receive a 'payback' of 15 percent of their monthly premium in April and May, totaling about $600 million.
'Given an unprecedented decline in driving, customers will receive a Shelter-in-Place Payback,' said Allstate CEO Tom Wilson. 'This is fair because less driving means fewer accidents.'
More
Allstate Corp, one of the largest U.S. auto insurers, said on Monday that most customers will receive a 'payback' of 15 percent of their monthly premium in April and May, totaling about $600 million.
'Given an unprecedented decline in driving, customers will receive a Shelter-in-Place Payback,' said Allstate CEO Tom Wilson. 'This is fair because less driving means fewer accidents.'
More
I Drive A Vehicle Tagged In Delaware But Have A Maryland Drivers License
That being said, I'm considered essential. As for my driving around taking pictures of cars in parking lots while I'm supposedly to shelter in place, I'm in a vehicle, stupid.
Now, when I do in fact go shopping when necessary I am well prepared and protected, and because we are responsible, YOU'RE PROTECTED TOO! My Wife took this picture of me last night in fact. I'm NOT in Virginia, New Jersey or New York spreading my germs carelessly exposing them completely disregarding and disrespecting the LAW coughing and spreading my germs without gloves and a mask.
So to those negative people trying to personally attack me, BITE ME!
P.S., As for my Delaware Tags, you people know I own multiple homes. My Wife has a DE license and I have a MD license. We have multiple cars that are ALL legally tagged.
Donald Trump Gets Millions of Hydroxychloroquine Pills from India
President Donald Trump persuaded India’s prime minister to release many millions of hydroxychloroquine pills on April 6 after the Indian government had announced it would keep all of the pills for its own population of almost 1.5 billion people.
“I called Prime Minister Modi of India this morning … and I said I’d appreciate it if they would release the amounts that we ordered,” Trump told reporters April 4, adding:
“I called Prime Minister Modi of India this morning … and I said I’d appreciate it if they would release the amounts that we ordered,” Trump told reporters April 4, adding:
They make large amounts of hydroxychloroquine — very large amounts, frankly. They had a hold [on exports], because, you know, they have 1.5. billion people, and they think a lot of it. And I said I’d appreciate it if they would release the amounts that we ordered …More
Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Rumor Control Page Launches
Empowers Maryland Residents to Call Out False Information,
Promote Facts
REISTERSTOWN, Md. —The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT), today launched the Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Rumor Control Page. Marylanders are encouraged to visit the page at Bit.ly/Md-Covid19-Rumors.
“As part of the State Response to COVID-19, MEMA stood up its Joint Information Center to provide the right information to the right people at the right time so they can be empowered to make the right decisions,” said Jorge E. Castillo, MEMA’s spokesperson. “We have been dispelling rumors and providing factual information since then, and we want Maryland residents to be able to participate in the process by helping us identify rumors and false information that could unnecessarily cause panic or worse, result in decision making that could lead to severe injuries or even death.”
Maryland’s Rumor Page allows visitors to:
- Read through several existing rumors and find the correct information in a variety of topics, including
- The Novel Coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19
- Maryland and Federal Government Orders
- Supplies
- School / Education
- Subscribe to updates to be notified immediately once a new rumor has been identified and dispelled.
- Ask a question.
- See a digest of trusted sources and see their latest and most relevant social media posts in real time.
- Share the page easily to Facebook, Twitter, email, and more.
“If you see something, say something,” continued Castillo. “You can say it by clicking on the Submit a Rumor button on the right side of the page.”
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