COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: May 18, 2020

Posted: May 18, 2020

Coronavirus, Daily COVID-19 Briefings

The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC)provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to receive Washington County daily briefings delivered to your inbox.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

Grieving the loss of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic can be extra difficult. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released information to help individuals and families plan and hold funeral services as safely as possible during this time. Considerations include:

• Connecting virtually with family and friends during the grieving process

• Using grief counseling services, support groups, or hotlines

• Modified funeral arrangements

• Practicing social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet between funeral attendees

• Wearing cloth face coverings while around others

• Modifications to funeral rites and rituals

Read more information about honoring a loved one during COVID-19 by visiting https://bit.ly/3cLjTVC.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The health department’s Behavioral Health Division is dedicated to providing important services to the community through these difficult times. We have reduced our hours to Monday- Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please see the following updates about our Harm Reduction Program (Narcan) and Tobacco Free For Life Program:

The Tobacco Free for Life program has temporarily suspended their classes, however those who are in need of free nicotine replacement therapy patches, gum and/or lozenges can still receive them. Please call 240-313-3310 to arrange drop off or pick up. This pertains to individuals who were attending TFFL classes when the shut-down occurred or those who have attended since January 2020 (we would have signed paperwork for you). Once classes start up again we’ll be able to get the necessary paperwork filled out by new class participants so they can begin getting free patches, gum and lozenges.

The Harm Reduction Program is continuing to supply the community with Narcan. If you are interesting in getting Narcan or need to replace your expired Narcan please call 240-313-3310. We are able to provide pick up services outside our building at 925 N. Burhans Blvd in Hagerstown. In accordance with social distancing guidelines we ask that you stay in your car and one of our employees will deliver the Narcan to you.

If you are interested in Narcan outside of office hours please go to the following pharmacy:

Williamsport Pharmacy

100 E Potomac St

Williamsport, MD 21795

Express Pharmacy

25 N Cannon Avenue

Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

Reed’s Pharmacy

343 N Pennsylvania Ave

Hancock, MD 21750

Sharpsburg Pharmacy

17316 Shepherdstown Pike

Sharpsburg, MD 21782

Smithsburg Pharmacy

22030 Jefferson Blvd

Smithsburg, MD 21783

MERITUS HEALTH

COVID-19 TESTING EXPANDS TO THOSE WITH NO SYMPTOMS

Click on the map to right to access the closest COVID-19 testing site.

COVID-19 testing is now available to those who do not currently have symptoms of the coronavirus, but suspect or are concerned that they have been exposed. No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested. Testing is now available for all ages. Meritus Health’s screening centers include:

Drive-thru Center: COVID-19 screening is available behind Meritus Medical Plaza, at 13620 Crayton Blvd. Hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Walk-thru Center: COVID-19 screening is available at 24 N. Walnut St, Hagerstown, MD. The walk-thru screening center is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

FREE TELEHEALTH VISITS AVAILABLE

Meritus Health continues to offer FREE telehealth visits. These visits will allow patients to speak directly with a primary care provider to discuss health concerns.

Telehealth visits are available from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. To request a telehealth visit please complete the form below.

BOOK YOUR TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENT HERE

VIRTUAL VISITS CONNECT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES

Meritus Health is now offering virtual visits to connect patients in the hospital with their families and friends. To setup a virtual visit, please contact the program’s coordinator at 240-313-3163.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Please stay tuned to www.hagerstown.org for the latest information on COVID-19 relief resources, local restaurants that remain open for business, and more!

The Chamber is focusing on ways that we can lead the way with recovery efforts for businesses. When safe to do so, we pledge to follow Maryland’s executive orders while rallying behind re-opening efforts while advocating for guidelines that benefit you during this impending comeback phase.

Upcoming Webinars

Tuesday, May 19, 10:30-11:00 a.m.

MD Chamber Webinar | COVID-19: A Conversation with Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly Schulz

Please join us for a conversation with Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly Schulz. She will discuss the Department’s ongoing COVID-19 response, including the work of the industry-specific advisory groups, their recommendations and next steps in the Roadmap to Recovery.

Tuesday, May 19, 2:00 p.m.

Affordable Ways to Find New Customers – Hosted by Verizon Small Business Webinar Series

Attracting customers doesn’t have to be expensive. Small business expert Steve Strauss talks with host Julie Hyman to share easy, affordable ways you can find new customers, even in these challenging times. Host: Verizon Small Business Webinar Series

Wednesday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

FREE SBDC WEBINAR: New Employee Policies in the COVID-19 World! – Presented by Matthew Johnston, Esquire

As the plans for reopening the economy begin to be implemented, employees are eligible for additional protections. Every employer will have to start to address the new Employee Handbook policies that will need to be created, communicated to employees, and explained to employees. Among the policies we will discuss in this webinar are policies about Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Paid Sick Leave, and Emergency Family Medical Leave Act (EFMLA), teleworking policies, Employee PPE and Social Distancing Policies, and OSHA standards for COVID-19.

Wednesday, May 20th, 12:00 p.m.

NFIB Free Webinar: Small Business and COVID-19: PPP Loan Forgiveness Explained and Other Questions Answered

The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration released much-anticipated forgiveness application for businesses who obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan. This week NFIB’s Holly Wade and Beth Milito will be joined by banking expert Colin Barrett, President/CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association, to discuss how to avoid running afoul of PPP loan forgiveness rules, how to complete the forgiveness application, and other practical advice that businesses can use to get employees back to work and resume operations safely.

Like every NFIB Weekly Webinar Briefing, this week’s event will deliver valuable insights and practical advice from Holly and Beth on things small businesses need to consider to move forward in a Covid-19 world.

Holly, Beth, and Colin will also take time to answer your questions live during Q&A. You can submit questions in advance to [email protected].

Wednesday, May 20^th, 2:00 p.m.

CRITICAL GUIDANCE FOR NONPROFITS – Navigating Uncharted Waters During a Period of Hyper-Change Impact on Financial Health and Continuity – Hosted by the Washington Co. Chamber of Commerce (FREE for both Chamber members and non-members)

We are all faced with the challenge of responding to “hyper change”. This webinar, featuring A. Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Founding Principal/Shareholder of Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits, LLC – FS4N and Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits – SE4N, will provide fiscal and financial strategies and guidance for nonprofit leaders and their organizations during this time of uncertainty.

When and how you should protect your organization’s assets?
How best to position financial resource utilization during a hyper change period until “true” recovery begins.

We will begin by exploring a framework for a thoughtful approach that favors using a financial bias of protecting the financial position of a nonprofit organization when considering key management decisions that must be made during a period of disruption, uncertainty and hyper-change.

We will discuss how to evaluate organizational financial health and the implications of an unpredictable crisis and the resulting economic downward pressure on funding and the increased use of operating reserves and the changing demand for services and programs all of which could lead to rapidly growing deficits.

Thursday, May 21st, 12:00 p.m.

FREE WEBINAR hosted by ThinkHR: “Returning to Work: Post COVID-19 Workplace Health & Safety

As businesses prepare to reopen offices and workplaces, ThinkHR is getting thousands of questions regarding the responsibility to provide safe and healthy working environments.

Join us for our upcoming webinar as Kara Govro, Senior Legal Editor, discusses what employers can do to prepare their workplaces for the return of employees. During this 60-minute informational webinar, Kara will also explore infectious disease control strategies for specific business profiles (size, industry, setting). Can’t make the webinar? Register and we’ll send you a recording.

Attention Employers:

Thu, May 21, 2020 1:00 PM EST

Together We Rise Webinar: Business Town Hall on Recovery & Reopening

Tickets

Visit www.washcorises.net to stay informed regarding the latest updates to the recovery and reopening in Washington County.

CLICK HERE to download a Standardized Employee Screening Questionnaire to use as part of your reopening operations plan (Provided by the U.S. Chamber)

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities. The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including:

Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles
Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan
Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness
Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30
Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined

The PPP was created by the CARES Act to provide forgivable loans to eligible small businesses to keep American workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documents released today will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans. Click here to view the application and instructions.

Sector-Specific Guidance on Reopening – The pandemic has affected different industries differently — likewise, the reopening process will vary by sector. Here is some sector-specific guidance from some of the leading industry associations and government sources:
For restaurants: CDC’s Reopening Decision Tree for Restaurants and Bars and National Restaurant Association’s Reopening Guidance
For retailers: National Retail Federation’s Operation Open Doors
For home service providers: AIHA’s Reopening Guidance for At-Home Service Providers
For construction businesses: AIHA’s Reopening Guidance for Construction Environments
For gyms and fitness facilities: AIHA’s Reopening Guidance for Gyms and Workout Facilities
For office-based businesses: AIHA’s Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings
For hair and nail salons: AIHA’s Reopening Guidance for Hair and Nail Salons
For airlines: CDC’s Interim Guidance for Airlines and Airline Crew
For childcare programs: CDC’s Reopening Decision Tree for Childcare Programs
For camps and youth programs: CDC’s Reopening Decision Tree for Camps and Youth Programs
For schools: CDC’s Reopening Decision Tree for Schools

WASHINGTON COUNTY LANDFILL REOPENS

The Washington County Division of Environmental Management announces that effective at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020, operations at 40 West Landfill returned to normal. The office will remain closed and be open by an appointment-only basis.

CITY OF HAGERSTOWN

The Hagerstown Fire Department Fire Marshal’s office is working with City business to meet the opening requirements outlined by Maryland’s Governor. Many businesses have been limited with their occupancy capacity when they re-open.

“As a result of the Governor’s orders, we are fielding a number of phone calls questioning what is the capacity of my business?” said Hagerstown Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven. “We are working with business to locate the legal capacity and provide the business an updated sign noting that capacity.” A capacity sign is also required to be posted under the order.

A business is provided an occupancy capacity when the building was originally built or at the time of a change in occupancy type. Since much of Hagerstown are buildings with significant age, those original permits have been lost or destroyed. Fire Marshal DeHaven wants to let our City’s business know that they are welcome to call our office and we will assist them with new signs.

For those businesses inside the City of Hagerstown, you can contact the Hagerstown Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office at 301-790-2476 or email[email protected]. You will need to provide your business name, address and contact information. We also will need the square footage of retail area or area available to the public. Additional information may be needed to determine the capacity of Assembly and Religious occupancies. A site inspection by the fire marshal may be needed.

Those occupancies outside the City of Hagerstown should contact the Fire Marshal’s office covering their respected jurisdiction. In Washington County, that is the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal for assistance.

The purpose of this page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to the stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the state of Maryland’s (COVID-19) response.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES & INFORMATION

WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU TO HOLD FREE MILK DISTRIBUTION

The Washington County Department of Business Development announces theWashington County Farm Bureau will be distributing free milk to the community on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

The milk distribution will be held in the parking lot adjacent to the Washington County Transit Transfer Center located at 123 Franklin St, Hagerstown, MD. The hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or until 2,100 gallons of milk have been distributed. This new location allows for easier access to those that may reside in Hagerstown, as the distribution point is now within walking distance of downtown.

The Washington County Farm Bureau is taking advanced orders from local nonprofit organizations, food pantries, and any organizations that have the ability to further distribute milk to clients. Please share this email with any Washington County nonprofits or food pantries that may benefit from this free milk distribution.

Please reply to Leslie Hart ([email protected]) and Matt Schnebly ([email protected]) by this Friday, May 15, 2020 with the information below. The milk will be held for pick up at 123 Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD.

Please provide your organization name
Contact person and cell phone
Name of person picking up the milk and their cell phone number
Total number of gallons your organization would like to pick up
Please pick up your milk between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

The Washington County Farm Bureau is dedicated to this community along with the agricultural community and local dairy farms. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the FREE MILK initiative, please contact Matt Schnebly at 717-360-4699. Please direct any questions to Leslie Hart or Matt Schnebly.

COVID-19 RELATED PHISHING

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security or DHS and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency or CISA continue to see indications of Advanced Persistent Threat or APT groups targeting health care, pharmaceutical, academia and medical research organizations, as well as individuals, using COVID-19 related scams and phishing emails.

Examples of Phishing email subject lines may include:

2020 Coronavirus Updates
Coronavirus Updates
2019-nCov: New confirmed cases in your city
2019-nCov: Coronavirus outbreak in your city (Emergency).

These emails contain a call to action, encouraging users to visit a website that malicious cyber actors use for stealing valuable data, such as usernames and passwords, credit card information and other personal information. Be sure your passwords are strong and carefully monitor your email, texts and phone calls during this vulnerable time.