The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance on protection for common respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV.
The nation is in a better place than it was in the early months of the COVID-19 health crisis. There are effective vaccines and new treatment options that lessen the severity of illness. More than 98 percent of the U.S. population now has some protective immunity from vaccination, prior infection or both.
With vaccines and treatment options, the nation is entering a new phase for COVID-19. It continues to circulate in the community, but hospitalization and death rates have decreased.
The CDC is now recommending the following prevention strategies for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as flu and RSV:
Stay
up to date on vaccinations, including an annual flu shot, RSV vaccine for certain age groups and the latest COVID-19 shots.
Practice good hygiene habits, including regular hand washing and covering a cough.
If you do test positive for COVID-19 or flu, get treatment that will lessen the duration and severity of illness.
If sick, stay home and away from others. This goes for COVID-19, as well as other respiratory viruses. Stay home and isolate from others until symptoms are getting better and you are fever-free for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medication).
When leaving isolation, resume normal activities, but continue taking precautions for the next five days when around others indoors. This includes:
Masking
Physical distancing
Take steps for cleaner air such as opening a window
Testing
If you test positive for a respiratory illness such as COVID-19, but do not have any symptoms, take precautions for the next five days.
The prevention strategies can be especially helpful if respiratory viruses are causing a lot of illness in the community.
Montgomery County libraries are receiving new supplies of COVID-19 test kits over the next few weeks that will be available for free to residents.
Visit the County’s COVID-19websitefor additional information and for links to more detailed information from the CDC.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
will hold a virtual public information meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, March 12, to discuss the initial concepts of the Cherry Hill Road
Bikeway Project in Silver Spring. The meeting will provide an opportunity to
provide feedback and ask questions.
This project provides for design and construction of two-way
separated bike lanes, also known as a cycle track, along the south side of
Cherry Hill Road in compliance with the master plan. The project will also
include streetscape improvements for pedestrian/ADA access, transit access,
roadway/pavement, parking (when applicable), drainage, stormwater management,
traffic signals, signing and marking, plantings and lighting.
Online
registration is required to attend. An email with a Zoom link will be
sent to registrants via email. The public is encouraged to visit the project
website and provide feedback via the online
comment form or via email to the project manager, Khursheed Bilgrami,
at khursheed.bilgrami@montgomerycountymd.gov.
All information provided, including questions and comments, will become public record.
Interpreter services will be provided upon request with five
business days advance notice by contacting Lori Main by email at lori.main@montgomerycountymd.gov or
by calling 240-777-7271.
Showcase your ingenuity in creating a cardboard boat can be part of Montgomery County Recreation’s “Rec Regatta” at the Olney Swim Center from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. Participants will make their own cardboard boats in advance and compete to see which boat goes the fastest and survives the longest before sinking. All ages are welcome to participate in boat creation, but those in a boat must be 10 or older.
The Olney Swim Center is located at 16605 Georgia Ave. in Olney.
Awards will be given for the fastest boat, best design and for team spirit.
Boats and paddles may only be created from clean cardboard and duct tape and must hold two people. The bottom of the boat cannot be covered with duct tape. Boats can be a maximum width of five feet and a maximum length of seven feet.
Registration is $10 per boat and can be completed online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.
The 2024 Montgomery County Energy Summit has released the education session schedule for its 11th annual gathering for commercial building professionals, scheduled for April 15-16 at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
Attendees are encouraged to register for the Summit and plan their schedules as some sessions require advance registration.
The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place, near the Silver Spring Metro Station on the Red Line.
Energy Summit attendees will have access to the latest information regarding energy benchmarking, building energy performance standards and emerging building codes through hands-on learning experiences and case studies from various commercial and multifamily buildings.
"Montgomery County's commitment to sustainability is at the very heart of our annual Energy Summit," said Department of Environmental Protection Director Jon Monger. "This year's learning sessions will provide fresh insights into Montgomery County standards, demonstrating how compliance helps foster economic growth while also safeguarding our environment. Together, we will continue demonstrating how progress and sustainability go hand-in-hand in Montgomery County.”
The Energy Summit features Innovation Alley, where exhibitors present the latest solutions for building energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, building decarbonization, healthy building practices and zero-emission vehicles.
Energy Summit schedule highlights include:
Day 1 (8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday, April 15): Day 1 sessions will provide fundamental insights into energy benchmarking and building energy performance standards. Attendees will learn about utility incentives, receive financing guidance from the Green Bank and explore the County’s permitting processes. Additional topics include electric vehicle charging, incentives and strategies for processing energy benchmarking results. Visit the Energy Summit website to see more details about the Day 1 sessions.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff will be available to provide hands-on benchmarking support.
Day 2 (8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16): The schedule for Day 2 is tailored for building and energy professionals and consultants. Building owners, managers and facilities staff are encouraged to attend the in-depth discussions dedicated to County energy policies and effective strategies to meet these objectives. Visit the Energy Summit website to see more details about the Day 2 sessions.
Educational sessions are organized into three tracks:
Track 1: Building Improvements: A deep dive into energy efficiency and green building strategies. Topics include:
Track 2: Financing and Incentives: Learn about local, State and Federal financing options and incentives for building improvements and renewable energy projects. Topics will include:
Navigating Federal Incentives
State and Local Incentives
Equity Emphasis Areas: Serving Under-Resourced Buildings and Residents
Track 3: Decarbonization: Explore electrification options for buildings and transportation through local case studies. Topics include:
In addition to the information and education sessions, WorkSource Montgomery's (WSM) Mobile Job Center will be on-site both days. WSM provides local job seekers with comprehensive employment and training services to promote economic sufficiency while assisting employers to meet the talent needs of today and tomorrow.
WorkSource Montgomery's (WSM) Mobile Job Center will be on site to connect employers and job seekers to fill the employment needs of tomorrow.
Registration for the two-day summit is $75 ($40 for single-day access) and includes keynote speakers, educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations and panel discussions. Registration check-in will open at 8 a.m. on both days. Advanced, online registration is strongly recommended, as day-of registration onsite will be very limited. To request free entry to the Energy Summit due to financial hardship, contact energy@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Montgomery County Recreation is hiring part-time, seasonal employees to work during the 2024 summer season. Available positions include camp directors, assistant directors, camp counselors, lifeguards and more.
“Summer work in our Department of Recreation provides such a valuable and rewarding opportunity to create fun programming, exciting experiences and lifelong memories for youth in our community,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I encourage everyone to come to the upcoming job fairs to learn more and apply to work with us.”
Job fairs are scheduled at the following locations and dates:
Saturday, March 9. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center, 13850 Travilah Road, Rockville.
Saturday, March 9. 3–5:30 p.m. Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown.
Tuesday, March 12. 6–8:30 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
Thursday, April 4. 6–8:30 p.m. Upper County Community Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg.
Saturday, April 6. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville.
Saturday, April 6. 3–5:30 p.m. East County Community Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring.
Applicants should bring their resumes, come dressed for success and be prepared to discuss their experience. The department is looking for dedicated, hardworking and motivated individuals. Applicants should note these job fairs are not job or location specific. Applicants may attend any job fair regardless of where they are seeking to work in the County.
The part-time/seasonal pay rate begins at $16.70 an hour and increases based on experience. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the start of camps (lifeguards must be at least 15). Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
As a condition of employment, applicants will be required to pass a criminal background investigation. The investigation will include state, federal and sex offender background checks.
If you are interested in working with Montgomery County Recreation you can also visit the website for additional information or to apply online. Explore both part-time and full-time opportunities.
Interested in preparing the next generation for the workforce and growing your talent pool? Help rising Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) high school juniors and seniors learn about your workplace and career field as part of the Summer RISE 2024 program. MCPS is seeking hosts in all career fields, particularly those in arts and entertainment, architecture, bioscience, business management, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, finance, healthcare, law and veterinary services. Summer RISE is an MCPS initiative to help students learn about career opportunities.
If you are interested in offering a student(s) an in-person, virtual or a hybrid experience between June 24 and July 26, sign up to become a host today. Host registration will close Friday, March 15. For more information, join an informational session or visit www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org. Email or call Davida Gurstelle at Davida_Gurstelle@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-5599 with questions.
Artist Trading Cards are miniature works of art. At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, the Silver Spring-based SPARKLE program will continue its series of innovative workshops when it presents “Get Your Creativity Blooming with Artist Trading Cards” at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
The seminar will be led by teaching artist Lauren Heather Lay. Participants will be making cards in the traditional ATC size and adding their own touches with collage, markers and more. They can keep or trade what they make.
The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Pl. in Downtown Silver Spring. It is close to the Silver Spring Metro Station on the Red Line.
Artist Trading Cards are miniature works of art. At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, the Silver Spring-based SPARKLE program will continue its series of innovative workshops when it presents “Get Your Creativity Blooming with Artist Trading Cards” at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
The seminar will be led by teaching artist Lauren Heather Lay. Participants will be making cards in the traditional ATC size and adding their own touches with collage, markers and more. They can keep or trade what they make.
The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Pl. in Downtown Silver Spring. It is close to the Silver Spring Metro Station on the Red Line.
The event is presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. For information on how to register for the workshop, go to Events - Silver Spring Town Center.
Materials will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own papers, pens, stickers, magazines and other creative ideas and objects.
The mission of SPARKLE is to provide “senior programs aimed at re-kindling lifetime engagement.
Ms. Lay is a visual artist working in a variety of media, particularly textiles. Her inspiration comes from the natural world and from story. Brushes and needles carry much more than paint and thread as they represent the dialogue between what she has seen, remembered, and dreamt.
The Montgomery County Office of Procurement’s recently
released Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) annual reports for the Minority, Female and
Disabled-Owned Business Program (MFD) and the Local Small Business Reserve
Program (LSBRP) showed record funding for both groups.
In FY23, the County awarded $246,374,095 in contracts with
certified MFD businesses. The amount represented 22.6 percent of eligible
dollars and the highest dollar amount for MFD firms since the program began
more than 25 years ago.
In FY23, the County awarded $305 million in contracts with
certified LSBRP businesses. The amount represented 31.3 percent of eligible
dollars. This is the highest dollar amount spent with local small businesses
since the program began in 2009 as well as the highest percentage
spend.
“I am pleased that we have been able to increase the dollar
values of County contracts with minority, female and disabled-owned businesses,
as well as local small businesses," said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It
has been an important goal for me to expand who we do business with and to open
it up to businesses that historically may not have had access to these
contracts. I want to thank Director Ash Shetty and his team for their
continued commitment to both the minority and local business contracting
programs.”
The Office of Procurement participates in more than 30
outreach events in the region annually and co-hosts outreach events with local
organizations. In September 2023, the Office of Procurement partnered with the
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to host a Minority Business
Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification workshop
with Montgomery County’s African American Chamber of Commerce. In October 2023,
the Office of Procurement and the Maryland Women’s Business Center launched a
quarterly webinar series “How to Do Business with Montgomery County.” Last
year, they partnered with the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce to co-host a
series of vendor outreach events, with another series to launch in May.
“The Office of Procurement proudly manages several programs
dedicated to improving minority and local spending in procurement,” said
Director Ash Shetty. "We continue to provide outreach to the local and
minority business community and are gearing up for a few outreach events with
local organizations.”
The Office of Procurement will host its annual Vendor
Connection Summit on Thursday, April 25, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
This expo-style event provides opportunities for local, small and minority-owned
businesses to network with representatives of County departments and other
County contractors. Click here for more information.
The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans
Place in Silver Spring.
The Commission for Women has launched its 2024 Girl Power Contest for Women’s History Month. The contest will run through March 31 and is open to all County residents ages 5 and older. The goal of the contest is to foster creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, with a focus of impacting young girls and women.
Participants are invited to submit a short poem, story, drawing or medium of their choice that addresses the theme of creating businesses that fill the needs and wants in the community, such as a grocery store or restaurant, and how these businesses would impact girls and women.
Today we begin a commemoration of Women’s History Month. Women in Maryland earn about 87 percent of what men earn. To create more gender pay equity in the future, it is important that we provide career mentorship opportunities to young women in middle and high school now. Our Commission for Women is hosting a virtual career guidance session later this month for middle and high school girls. Read the story later in this newsletter for more information.
Maryland Counties Need Local Authority
I was back in Annapolis this week testifying before the Ways and Means committee on behalf of what I consider the most important bill in the legislature. Here is a link to that testimony.
House Bill 919 would give local counties the same authority that municipalities in Maryland already have and that is used by local jurisdictions in Northern Virginia. This legislation would allow the creation of special taxing districts designated to fund specific investments like transit infrastructure.
What I tried to emphasize to lawmakers is that this is an economic development opportunity that has worked across the river in Northern Virginia. Developers and businesses choose higher taxed areas in Virginia, like Fairfax and Tysons Corner, rather than lower taxed Maryland, and they do so because they understand that the investments their taxes produce–like the Silver Line–make their area more attractive to businesses.
These special taxing districts also help deliver projects in a timely manner. That is something we cannot do in Montgomery County because we do not have this tool. We only have impact taxes, which must be paid in a lump sum up front–this is expensive for developers and does not provide a steady stream of revenue for bonding.
House Bill 919 is only enabling legislation, which means that any changes to implement special taxing districts would require enactment by the County Council and include the public. This legislation is a 2024 legislative priority of the Maryland Association of Counties, an organization that represents all 23 counties in Maryland and Baltimore City.
The future of our state’s growth–and Montgomery County’s–is linked to investments in transportation. It is painfully clear after learning of the $3 billion shortfall in State transportation funds late last year that Maryland needs a better way forward. The collapse of the State’s infrastructure fund cannot be allowed to paralyze our plans for transportation infrastructure.
People tell me they worry that enacting special taxing districts will cause development to go to Northern Virginia. The reality is that companies already choose Northern Virginia because their tax system creates valuable infrastructure that benefits their investments. If you go to Tysons to develop, the taxes on commercial property are almost 50 percent higher than ours–so if the taxes were the issue, those businesses should be clamoring to come here.
I am asking for a favorable report out of committee for House Bill 919 and support from a majority of state lawmakers to enable the enabling legislation to pass this session.
Local Group Pushes for Gun Reforms and Safe Gun Storage
A few weeks ago, I told you about how we continue to make public safety a high priority. I have talked about some of our efforts, including drone assistance, license plate readers, security cameras in public garages and signing bonuses to recruit more officers.
I went on a ride-along with police officers a couple of months ago, and I had a chance to talk with them about the proliferation of guns. This is not only a Montgomery County problem–this is a national problem but we have to address it at the local level as much as we can.
This week I invited Joanna Pearl, a local leader with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, to join me on my media briefing. She and other volunteers with the Maryland chapter have been busy over the last few weeks in Annapolis advocating for legislative changes. I would like to see those responsible for producing ghost guns held to the same standard we demand of licensed gun dealers.
Encouraging gun owners to keep their guns unloaded, locked away and separate from ammunition are steps that can lower the risk of a gun getting into the wrong hands.
If we talk more openly about the importance of securing and storing guns properly, we can make Montgomery County safer and save lives.
Augmented Reality Introduced for Black History Month Lesson
We concluded Black History Month this week with a unique event that has leveraged new technology to learn to about the County's history. This week the County, Montgomery Parks and the University of Maryland previewed augmented reality (AR) history lessons about the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park in Olney. This is the first AR experience of its kind launched for a historical site in Maryland.
This week’s unveiling included a panel discussion about how to use the new technology. Eight Oakley Cabin AR experiences allow visitors to use their mobile phone to see a park interpretive staff avatar, and 3D models of the interior and exterior of the missing third cabin. The AR tours will be available in seven languages and there also will be interactive games and a flyover recreating the historical surroundings tied to this handheld history lesson.
I am very excited about this project. I hope it helps people of all ages understand why the Oakley Cabin is important.
Understanding our history–even the parts that are uncomfortable and unpleasant–are essential to building a better future. New technologies such as AR can better engage more residents, especially younger residents, to help them understand the past and see how to address and solve some of the problems of today.
World Wildlife Day
Montgomery County is home to more than one million people, which almost can make you forget that it is an important place for many wild animals, too.
However, habitat loss, pollution and climate change threaten the delicate balance that sustains our local ecosystems and the resources that support everyday life. In response to these challenges, Montgomery County continues to support several conservation efforts to protect our natural environments.
Many of the initiatives to expand the County’s green spaces are led by Montgomery Parks, which currently restores and maintains 419 parks, comprised of more than 37,000 acres of parkland.
Montgomery County is home to a rich ecosystem. From the wooded trails of Rock Creek Regional Park to the rolling hills of the protected Agricultural Reserve, the County provides habitats for a variety of important wildlife species.
Celebrate World Wildlife Day by not just acknowledging the importance of our natural environment but acting to preserve it.
Here are some individual actions all of can take:
Plant native plants to help ensure that bees, birds, small mammals, butterflies and other insects have the right kind of food and cover. Native plants adapt to a local environment and once established, require less water and maintenance. Montgomery Parks will host several native plant sales starting in April.
Diversify your plantings and include an assortment of deciduous trees of various heights, surrounded by shrubs, groundcover and perennials.
Trees are total powerhouses by:
Removing carbon from the air.
Cooling the planet with shade.
Providing habitat and beautifying our neighborhoods.
Montgomery Parks’ volunteer Weed Warriors program works to remove non-native and invasive plants that pose a serious threat to the health of trees in our area. In 2023 alone, Weed Warrior volunteers saved more than 17,000 trees.
You can make a difference by volunteering at a Weed Warrior Workday. These workdays are open to the public and no advanced training is required. Learn more about upcoming Weed Warrior events here.
Taking control of our home environment is good for wildlife and it is a concrete action to help combat climate change.
Caring for the water environment that is home to many animals is crucial, too.
The five rivers that comprise the Chesapeake Bay watershed—the Susquehanna, Potomac, Rappahannock, York and James—provide almost 90 percent of the freshwater that enters the Bay. Along with hundreds of thousands of smaller rivers and streams, they provide habitats necessary for many fish species, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians.
Water control projects like RainScapes are watershed friendly ways to slow, absorb, clean and reduce rainfall runoff from roofs, walkways, driveways and compacted lawns. Along with helping to reduce drainage and prevent stormwater pollution and erosion, RainScapes reduce energy and water consumption, create wildlife habitat, improve air quality and enhance landscapes.
You can learn more about the County’s rebate program for some RainScapes by visiting our website.
Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center Opens
We had a wonderful grand opening of the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center last weekend. Over the years, so many people, including former County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, have been involved in bringing this project to fruition, and I want to thank our Department of General Services and Department of Recreation for their work. You can see and hear more about the event by watching this video. Click here to read more about the features of the new Center.
Health Report
March marks the fourth year since our nation began dealing with the widespread impacts of the COVID-19 virus. The emergency phase of the pandemic ended last year but the effects can still be felt in the community, whether it be the continuing struggle with hunger or mental health needs that started or were heightened with the pandemic. When I met with former County Executive Ike Leggett last week, I appreciated his recognition of the County's work through the pandemic. It was a struggle, but I know our worked saved lives.
Getting the word out about the benefits of the vaccine brought together many different community groups across Montgomery County to learn, share and spread life-saving information. It was from those partnerships and the commitment to the greater good that we developed some of the networks that are still helping people today.
I am proud of the work we did in Montgomery County during the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I want to stress how important it is to continue to protect yourself and your family. Vaccines for COVID-19 and flu are still recommended. A COVID-19 vaccine can prevent serious complications from the virus and keep you out of the hospital.
