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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: May 4, 2020

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The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
It’s important to avoid close contact with people, stay home, and wash your hands frequently. Learn more ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 at coronavirus.gov.
If you need to get gas in your vehicle there are ways to protect yourself from COVID-19 while getting gas:
  • If available, use disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons of gas pump before you touch them.
  • After you get gas and pay, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water when you get to your destination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more details at https://bit.ly/34ucuqJ
WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Washington County Health Department in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Health and other partners will be coordinating the Hagerstown VEIP COVID-19 drive thru testing site. The VEIP testing site is located at 12100 Insurance Way in Hagerstown. Tests will be offered on an appointment-only basis to Maryland residents who are symptomatic and at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Patients must have a health care provider order and an appointment to take a test at this VEIP site. If you currently do not have a doctor or health insurance the Community Free Clinic and Family Healthcare of Hagerstown are accepting new patients and a sliding fee-scale for payment. The Maryland Health Connection is also holding a special enrollment period for people to sign up for health insurance.
MERITUS HEALTH
COVID-19 TESTING EXPANDS FOR COMMUNITY
Click on the map to right to access the closest COVID-19 testing site.
COVID-19 testing is now available to anyone showing symptoms as designated by the CDC – Fever greater than 100.5 degrees and/or a dry cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested. Testing is now available for all ages.Testing is 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.
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.
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
Monday, May 4, 6:30 p.m.
Telephone Town Hall with Senator Van. Hollen and special guest: Dr. Lisa Maragakis – a public health and infectious disease expert and professor at Johns Hopkins.
The Town Hall will include updates on the battle against COVID-19 and the ongoing federal relief efforts, discuss what needs to be done to safely “re-open” our economy and take your questions.
Sign up to join the call, or stream it live, at vanhollen.senate.gov/live.
Wednesday, May 6th, 11:00 a.m.
AAFB & Planit Present: The New Normal? – Communicating in the Age of COVID-19
What: When COVID-19 hit the United States, brands scrambled to respond.While some brands are still scrambling, after nearly two months of quarantine, many are also asking what’s next.How do we continue to respond? Or should we stop responding? When do we return to regularly scheduled communication plans?Join AAF Baltimore and Planit for a webinar discussing the current media landscape, messages consumers want to hear, crisis communications strategies to implement right now and more.
Wednesday, May 6th, 12:00 p.m.
Webinar: Compliance Matters: Layoffs, Furloughs, and Recalls (and COVID-19 Update) – hosted by THINK HR
A top concern of HR departments is how to effectively manage layoffs, furloughs, and recalls as a result of the pandemic. Kara Govro, Senior Legal Editor, addresses the compliance aspects of layoffs, furloughs, and recalls to help employers navigate these difficult decisions. During this 60-minute informational webinar, Kara will also answer your live HR questions about COVID-19 related issues impacting your small business. Click here to register.
Can’t make the live webinar? Register here, and we’ll send you a recording.
Wednesday, May 6th, 12:00 p.m.
NFIB Webinar: “Getting Back to Business — COVID-19 Financial & Workplace Safety Updates”
Please join Holly Wade, Director, NFIB Research & Policy Analysis, and Beth Milito, Senior Executive Counsel, for NFIB’s weekly webinar briefing where they will focus on considerations you will face as the country reopens for business.
  • How to ensure full PPP loan forgiveness
  • How to take advantage of tax provisions that can slash your tax burden
  • How to develop a workplace safety plan to minimize risk of coronavirus spread
  • How to get reluctant employees back to work
The webinar will also provide participants the opportunity to anonymously ask their most pressing questions. Can’t make this Webinar? Don’t worry! Register Now and they’ll email you an on-demand version!
Friday, May 8th, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Free Webinar: “Cleaning For The Restart – How To Reopen And Be Safe” hosted by WEISS BROS.
REGISTER HERE – Login information will be sent Friday morning to login.
Join ISSA Certified Trainer Steve Johnson for a free webinar to discuss the following tips around cleaning:
  • CDC Guidelines
  • Touch Points
  • Dwell Time
  • 2 Step Cleaning Process
  • Cleaning Schedule
  • Cleaning vs Disinfecting vs Sanitizing
  • Tools to Use
  • Electrostatic Sprayers
  • Supplies – Availability and Providing to Others
  • And More
Wednesday, May 13th, 11:00 a.m.
AAFB & Planit Present: The New Normal? – Communicating in the Age of COVID-19
When COVID-19 hit the United States, brands scrambled to respond. While some brands are still scrambling, after nearly two months of quarantine, many are also asking what’s next. How do we continue to respond? Or should we stop responding? When do we return to regularly scheduled communication plans? Join AAF Baltimore and Planit for a webinar discussing the current media landscape, messages consumers want to hear, crisis communications strategies to implement right now and more.
RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL GRANT INFORMATION WEBINARS
The Rural Maryland Council will conduct two virtual information sessions to review program guidelines and criteria for the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) for FY2021 as well as answer questions from participants.
Webinar Dates:
Tuesday, May 5  2:00pm to 3:00pm
Friday, May 8th 10:00 to 11:00am
Log-in information can be found on the Council’s website at
rural.maryland.gov. Individual appointments will also be available during the week of May 11, 2020. Please contact the RMC office at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
SUSTAINABLE LAWNS AND FAMILY GARDENING WEBINAR
The Division of Environmental Management invites all homeowners to attend a webinar on Friday, May 8th that will discuss Sustainable Lawns and Family Gardening. Hosted by Chesapeake Stormwater Network, this FREE webinar is this Friday from 11:00 a.m.-noon. Register HERE!
HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hagerstown Community College has announced that its summer College for Kids program is moving online, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“While we hoped to see children’s smiling faces on campus this summer, our first priority is to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our campers, instructors, volunteers, and staff,” said Jenna Lamblin, CFK manager. “Our second priority is bringing fun, educational camps right into the home, through online programming.”
Registrations for in-person camps will be canceled and refunded in the coming weeks. Visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/kids for online camp and registration information. Space will be limited for the online programs.
Questions can be sent via email to [email protected].
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 INFORMATION & RESOURCES
FREE MILK DISTRIBUTION ON GIVING TUESDAY
The Washington County Farm Bureau is partnering with Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative on Giving Tuesday to provide a semi-truck and trailer load of fresh milk from Washington County dairy producers to those in our community who need it most. This event will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Valley Mall Parking Lot located outside of JCPenny. Approximately 2,100 gallons of free milk will be distributed, with each vehicle receiving one free gallon of milk.
People are asked to remain in the their vehicle, as a car line will be formed to receive their free gallon of milk. President Matt Schnebly will be on hand along with the local Farm Bureau Board of directors and members to assist with distribution.
Washington County is feeling the impact of the nation’s disrupted food distribution and the Washington County Farm Bureau is honored to provide free milk on Giving Tuesday. For more information, please contact the Washington County Farm Bureau email at [email protected].
UNITED WAY ORGANIZES GIVING TUESDAY COUNTY-WIDE FOOD DRIVE
Tuesday, May 5th is #GivingTuesday|NOW. Giving Tuesday|NOW is a day of giving and unity created as a response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The United Way of Washington County has joined forces with two local radio stations 95.9 The Big Dawg and 92.9 WXDC, as well as the Valley Mall – a Preit property, and For Our City to present the Country Roads Food Drive, a county-wide initiative to feed families across Washington County.
We are still working very hard to equip local organizations with the support they need to continue assisting our community through the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund. On Tuesday May 5th, for Giving Tuesday|NOW, the United Way will be collecting both monetary donations and non-perishable, shelf-stable and toiletry items to support Washington County food pantries.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly change and impact individuals and families in our community. Our residents are finding it more and more difficult to keep their cabinets and fridges stocked with food and basic need items. This is why we’ve decided to partner with the Country Roads Food Drive. As a West Virginia neighbor, a large population of Washington County residents are in the West Virginia Radio Corporation’s listening range. Sponsored by West Virginia United Way Collaboration (14 local United Ways in West Virginia) & West Virginia Radio Corporation, United Way of Washington County has partnered to tackle hunger during COVID-19.
The drive will be from 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Tuesday May 5th. Donations of food and/or monetary donations are both welcomed. The food drive will be held at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown, nearest to Starbucks, where both nonperishable items and/or money may be dropped off.
Monetary donations can also be made online at unitedwaywashcounty.org/donate or by texting BeTheOne to 313131. Unexpired items such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, spaghetti, pasta sauce, canned meat and other staples will be collected. Cleaning products and personal hygiene items are also welcomed.
Participating United Way organizations include the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties; United Way of Harrison County Inc.; United Way of Marion and Taylor Counties, United Way of Central WV, United Way of the River Cities, United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, United Way of Gilmer, Lewis & Upshur; United Way of Randolph County; United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley; County United Way, Inc.; United Way of the Eastern Panhandle; and United Way of Washington County, Maryland.
For more information about the food drive, visit www. unitedwaywashcounty.org/giving-tuesday-now or email Allison Dillow at [email protected].
For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].
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