The Talbot County Department of Emergency Services has launched a new website — www.talbotcovid19.org — that will be a central location for community information during the COVID-19 health emergency.
“We continue to utilize our emergency management system to drive a high level of coordination to achieve two important goals,” said Clay Stamp, Talbot’s emergency services director. “These goals include establishing and maintaining a common operating picture for those working on solving issues in a rapidly changing environment and ensuring we gather and distribute timely and valuable information.”
The website links to federal, state, and local information about the coronavirus and Talbot County’s response. The Talbot County Health Department is the primary source for local health advisories, along with the Maryland Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Local community partners, including Talbot County’s municipalities, are participating in regular calls and are submitting local updates for the website. Updates will be posted to the website daily.
“Information is power in a rapidly developing scenario such as this,” Talbot County Health Officer Dr. Fredia Wadley said. “We are sharing information just as we learn more about the virus.”
There is still only one confirmed case in Talbot County.
Any individual who is well, should continue working. Individuals who have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory symptoms, should stay home from work and call their primary care provider for further guidance.
Wadley says the average age of infection for the COVID-19 virus is 60, and the average age of death from the disease is 80. Stressing social distancing to seniors is paramount to limiting deaths for this disease. People 60 and over or people with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems should avoid crowds, stay away from others who are sick, and stay home as much as possible.
“Not everyone will agree with the approaches we are taking, such as closing schools,” Wadley said. “But we are doing the best we can with the information we have to slow the spread of this disease. We are making the best decisions we can for our community.”
The response from Talbot County has been extraordinary, said Talbot County Council President Corey Pack. “We tip our hats to the business community and to our non-profit agencies the work they are doing,” he says.
“This community is working together in a coordinated effort to serve our most vulnerable populations. It’s inspiring.”
Following is a complete list of updates from community organizations as of March 17:
Chesapeake College
• Chesapeake College has extended spring break 2020 through March 27, closing buildings to the public and transitioning to online instruction by March 30 in an effort to mitigate community spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
• Beginning March 30, the majority of coursework will be conducted remotely until further notice. Over the next two weeks, faculty will convert their face-to-face classes to an online format. Chesapeake College employees will be working from their homes to continue Chesapeake’s essential services.
• All athletic activities are suspended for the remainder of the spring semester. All official interstate travel by faculty and staff is prohibited.
• All public events at the college are cancelled now through April 30. In addition, buildings on the Wye Mills campus and the Chesapeake College Cambridge Center are closed to the public until further notice.
• The Todd Performing Arts Center, the Early Childhood Development Center, the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center, the Fitness Center, the Barnes and Noble bookstore on campus, and the Sodexo café are all included in the closure.
• The Chesapeake College Commencement 2020 ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 will not occur on campus. Instead, the college may conduct a virtual event online.
• Students will not be allowed on campus until further notice. Online resources such as library services and tutoring will be available through the Learning Resource Center at https://libguides.chesapeake.edu/academic-support-center/home
• For updates and more information, please visit chesapeake.edu/coronavirus.
Neighborhood Service Center
• NSC is providing all services while also attempting to limit face-to-face contact.
• Office remains open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Maryland Energy Assistance Program applications are available at the entrance to our agency. Application can also be made online www.dhrmaryland.gov/energy. Phone interviews will be used to complete applications.
• Emergency Services will be provided with phone call intakes. Community can email service requests to [email protected].
Talbot County Board of Elections
• Gov. Larry Hogan issued a proclamation to officially postpone the April 28 primary election until June 2. More information will be available regarding elections after April 3rd. A vote-by-mail system will be implemented with more details coming.
• During this period of county government office closure to the public due to COVID-19, please contact the Talbot County Board of Elections at 410-770-8099 or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
• You may also go to the State Board of Elections website at www.elections.maryland.gov to register to vote, change your voter information or request an absentee ballot. Please mail any correspondence back to us at Talbot County Board of Election, PO Box 353, Easton MD 21601 so that we can be sure to receive it. Please know we will be open to serve you by phone or email.
Talbot County Courts
• Courts are closed, except for emergencies. Emergency matters include, but are not limited to, domestic violence petitions, family law emergencies, extreme risk protective orders, bail reviews, juvenile detention hearings, and search warrants. These matters will continue to be processed by the courts and its reduced workforce until Friday, April 3, 2020, or further notice.
• All other non-emergency matters scheduled for a court hearing or proceeding will be postponed, and courthouses across the state will remain closed to members of the general public until April 3, 2020, or further notice.
• See this link for more details: https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/admin- orders/20200316restrictedoperationsduetocovid19.pdf
Talbot County Department of Social Services
Talbot County Department of Social Services is currently providing all services. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but they are encouraging social distancing through the following:
• Please call 410-770-4848 with questions instead of coming in to the office. Child support customers should start with the DHS Call Center at 1-800-332-6347.
• DHS online portal (MyDHR) should be used when possible to apply for SNAP (Food Stamps) and all emergency cash assistance programs (https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/)
• Applications can also be submitted by mail (301 Bay St, Unit 5, Easton, MD 21601), by email ([email protected]), or by fax (410-770-7117)
• Medical Assistance or health insurance applications can be submitted on the Maryland Health Connection. The Maryland Health Connection has opened an emergency enrollment period. Information and online application access can be found on the Maryland Health Connection website (https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/).
• Long Term Care Medical Assistance applications can be submitted at https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/home/#/home
• Child Support information and/or questions can also be submitted by email at [email protected]
• Child support payments can be made by mail, phone or online. If making payment by mail, include your name and child support case number on the payment and mail to: Maryland Child Support Account, PO Box 17396, Baltimore, MD 21297-1396
• To make a one-time credit card child support payment over the phone, call 1-844-324-3855.
• Child Support payments may be made online at https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-support- services/paying-support/. At this link, you can establish a one-time or recurring automatic draft from your savings account or pay using Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express.
Talbot County Free Library
• On Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Easton Library, the library will have free books available for all ages while supplies last.
• Books will be located on tables in front of the library. No donations are needed right now. Please come and pick up a book for you or a family member’s reading pleasure.
• We are looking at offering free books at the St. Michaels Library next week — so stay tuned.
• Patrons are also encouraged to try the library’s eLearning opportunities and downloadable and streaming eBooks, audiobooks, music, magazines and movies. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org.
Talbot County Government
In an attempt to provide some relief from the economic burdens of the current state of emergency on local businesses, the County Council extended the expiration date of all Talbot County issued licenses that expire between now and April 30. This includes our local liquor licenses, which expire on April 30. These licenses will now expire on the LATER of May 31 or 30 days after the Governor’s state of emergency terminates. If you have any questions, please call the Liquor Board at 410-770-8019 or email Board Secretary Patricia Finneyfrock at [email protected].
Safe station patients are still being accepted at Talbot County Emergency Services Operations Center and St. Michaels Police Department.
Talbot County Public Schools
• FREE breakfast and lunch for children 2-18 will be available for pick-up again March 8 at Easton Middle School, Easton Elementary Dobson, St. Michaels Middle High and the St. Michaels Police Department.
• Beginning Thursday, March 19, FREE meals will be distributed for children ages 2 through 18 at the following expanded list of locations: Easton Middle, Easton Elementary-Dobson, the Corner of Dover and Aurora Streets in Easton, the Neighborhood Service Center, St. Michaels Middle High, St. Michaels Police Dept., Chapel District Elementary, White Marsh Elementary, and Tilghman Elementary. This will include breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. These are drive-by/pick-up sites outdoors.
• Drive-by or walk-up meal pickup will be at all locations from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through
Friday.
• No names need to be provided.
• CHILDREN MUST BE PRESENT and must be between the ages of 2 and 18. Adults cannot accept meals on behalf of children.
• Children but do not have to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
• CarePacks will be delivered to all sites on Fridays to provide weekend meals (while supplies last). If families are unable to get to one of the schools to pick up CarePacks, please email Ms. Emily Moody at [email protected] to set up a CarePacks delivery for Friday March 20th.
Talbot Humane
• Talbot Humane is open to the public 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday closed.
• Animal Control Officers are not picking up owner surrenders from homes, and are doing as much public contact via phone as possible for follow-ups (instead of door notes etc.) All essential roles and calls are still being fulfilled.
• No group visits until May 1, 2020, will reassess at that time.
• No community events until May 1, 2020, will reassess at that time.
• Head to Tail Thrift and Vintage is closed until April 1.
• Public Spay/Neuter Clinic is closed until April 1. Will assess how to move forward during the next two weeks.
• Animal visitation will be limited to those who are actively interested in adoption. An approved adoption application must be submitted to view the animals.
• Pet pantry is still open. Those who are ill may call the office and an officer or volunteer can drop the food at your door. Pet Pantry is open to those who abruptly had income change from this event as well. No questions asked.
• Intervention program still in full effect. Staff is available to help with supplies, behavior needs and acute unexpected veterinary emergencies.
• Talbot Humane is still taking in animals as usual.
Town of St. Michaels
• The St. Michaels Town Office is closed to the public. With concern for the safety of all during this emerging health crisis, the town office will closed to the public effective immediately. All staff will report for duty as assigned and will be answering phone calls and emails.
• All meetings and activities scheduled to take place in the Town Office at 300 Mill Street are cancelled until further notice. Please submit applications and make payments by mail or place in the “dropbox” located next to the office’s front door.
• Please feel free to contact us at 410-745-9535.
• For Public Works concerns, call 410-745-5147.
• In case of emergency, contact St. Michaels Police Department at 410-745-5000 or call 911.
• Food available for children. Free breakfast and lunch is available for children ages 2-18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the St. Michaels Middle High School at 200 Seymour Avenue and at the St. Michaels Police Department at 100 Fremont Street.
University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
• The University of Maryland Medical System/University of Maryland Baltimore, in coordination with Johns Hopkins Health System, is postponing all elective, non-emergent procedures, beginning Wednesday, March 18, and continuing for a two-week period until April 1, as part of the System’s COVID-19 response to managing a potential increase in patient volume. This action is designed to provide additional capacity for UMMS hospitals to treat those patients in greatest need.
• “Consistent with our priority to protect our patients and staff, our decision is guided by the need to minimize the risk of exposing surgical patients to COVID-19, minimize the potential for high-risk exposure to surgical and peri-operative staff from unrecognized and asymptomatic carriers of COVID- 19, minimize risk within the hospital environment from potential exposure consistent with social distancing principles, and ensure adequate availability of supplies and equipment that can be redirected to the care of COVID-19 patients,” said David Marcozzi, MD, UMMS COVID-19 Incident Commander. “This is a rapidly-changing dynamic and we need to plan ahead. Emergent and urgent procedures as defined by a patient’s care team that are necessary for a patient’s health and time sensitive will continue.”
• This policy will be reassessed weekly for the following two-week period.
YMCA
• As of 3 p.m., Monday, March 16, YMCA branches across the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia will be closed. They plan to restore full operations on March 30 in concert with the current school schedule. It is probable that this date will move as we learn more on the fight against community spread of coronavirus. If you are checking on scheduled programs and events at your Y, please go to www.ymcachesapeake.org and this will provide a list of all postponements and cancellations.
• To support members’ health and wellbeing goals, the YMCA is offering Y360 and Les Mills on-demand fitness program for adults and kids to do at home. Access it today at the links below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOGt_IpceP_xQhhCMCrut_A?fbclid=IwAR1x2hY1h50m2EfTq6_6 csU0YWHxo2BneMlrZJhYzTGmvz__Xkt1Gzq-7Tk
https://watch.lesmillsondemand.com/at-home-workouts
• The YMCA will be posting videos daily to support members and their families over the next few weeks with activities and games, exercise tips, cooking ideas and much more.
Where to Find More Information
• CDC COVID-2019 Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Talbot County COVID-19 Information www.talbotdes.org/covid19.asp
• Maryland Department of Health Website: https://health.maryland.gov/pages/home.aspx
• Talbot County Health Department Website: https://health.maryland.gov/talbotcounty/Pages/home.aspx
• Talbot County Health Department Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalbotHealthMaryland/
• Talbot County Department of Emergency Services Website: https://www.talbotdes.org/default.asp
• Talbot County Department of Emergency Services Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talbotdes
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