EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

At Governor Hogan’s most recent press conference, the announcement was made that effective at 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, June 5, 2020, the State of Maryland will be entering Stage Two of the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery. Please view Governor Hogan’s Executive Order for specific information.

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners announced that Washington County will be following the directives from the State of Maryland. Effective at 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, June 5, 2020, Washington County will proceed with the additional openings listed in Stage Two of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

Employees who can telework should continue to do so whenever possible.

As additional industries and activities begin to resume, the Maryland Department of Commerce continues to develop and issue guidance and best practices to help businesses reopen safely. These resources are available at open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness.

County officials and the Emergency Operations Center will continue to follow the lead of State officials and the Maryland Coronavirus Recovery Team as they to watch the data closely. If encouraging trends continue, the next step, likely coinciding with the end of the school year, will be to consider opening additional amusement, fitness, sporting, and other summertime activities.

To stay updated on the Stages of Reopening and Recovery in Washington County, Maryland, please visit www.washcorises.net.

As COVID-19 still exists in the County, citizens are reminded to continue washing hands and maintaining appropriate physical distance. Below is an at-a-glance from the initial reopening of Stage One in Washington County, Maryland.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Washington County Health Department is expanding free COVID-19 testing to vulnerable and hard to reach populations in Washington County. The health department is working with local towns and communities all over the county to bring mobile walk-in testing sites right to the local residents. Testing as these sites will be open to everyone and you do not need a doctors referral or an appointment to participate. The tests used are the quick nasal swap that takes about 15 seconds to administer. Please follow social distancing and masking guidelines when participating at these sites.

At this time we have scheduled free COVID-19 testing at the following locations.

New locations will be announced on the Health Department’s website at https://washcohealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/ and on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WashHealth/

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 PUBLIC SCHOOLS

GRADS 2020: A FAMILY CELEBRATION

Washington County Public Schools is committed to providing the class of 2020 with the best graduation celebration possible while balancing the current restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We are incredibly proud of our graduates for all they have accomplished, and they deserve a proper celebration.

While Maryland has moved to Stage Two of the Roadmap to Recovery, the governor’s restrictions on gathering sizes have not changed. As a result, a traditional graduation is just not possible. We have explored the option of an in-person graduation ceremony with students only that would be shared through an online live-stream. After working through the details of this ceremony with local officials, the restrictions in place would prevent many students from viewing the full event.

WCPS appreciates students, parents, and community members who have reached out to the school system to share thoughts and ideas for making this graduation milestone memorable and special. Your input is valuable and highly considered in the decision-making process. Thank you also for the many unique celebrations you have organized to honor graduates in your own communities.

With the on-going changes of the COVID-19 pandemic, WCPS is adjusting previously shared plans for the class of 2020 graduation ceremony.

Graduates will now be honored in individual, scheduled recognitions the week of June 15, 2020 to give each graduate an opportunity to walk across the stage at their school with four guests present.

The following format will be followed at all schools:

Face masks for graduates

Principals are finalizing details for each school. By early next week, they will be contacting students and families regarding more specific arrangements. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause families who made plans to view other scheduled ceremonies.

The virtual graduation video that is currently being compiled will serve as the full graduation ceremony, featuring student speakers and the presentation of graduates with submitted photos and videos. This will be provided to all graduates as a keepsake item to remember their classmates and this unprecedented school year. The virtual graduations will air on YouTube Premiere the week of June 15, 2020. If there is any change to the schedule, we will notify families and graduates.

The health of our community continues to be a priority. WCPS staff will practice proper social distancing and will wear face masks when interacting with graduates and their guests.

In these extraordinary times, the class of 2020 is a truly extraordinary group of graduates. We look forward to celebrating with you and your loved ones the week of June 15, 2020.

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

EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHEDULES SHOE DRIVE

The Washington County Education Foundation is coordinating the Summer’s a Shoe-In collection of gently used shoes from Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, 2020. Drive-thru donations will be accepted at five high schools on Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, June 20. The Foundation is encouraging WCPS families who are returning school system-issued technology and wrapping up other end-of-year matters to consider a donation of shoes at schools throughout the county. Anyone else in the community is also welcome to make a contribution.

Drive-thru donations can be dropped off between 10:00 and noon on June 13 and June 20 at Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport high schools. From June 15 through 19, collection bins will be set up during school hours at Bester, Cascade, Eastern, Jonathan Hager, Maugansville, Pangborn, Pleasant Valley, Rockland Woods and Salem Avenue elementary schools, Northern Middle School, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport high schools. Donations will also be accepted that week at Hagerstown Community College and the Center for Education Services, 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown.

It’s another way the Education Foundation supports the students and families of Washington County Public Schools.

SCHOOL(S):

WASHINGTON COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND

A campaign organized by the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, Maryland, announces the deadline to apply for the fifth and final cycle of grants is Monday, June 8th at midnight. Applications will be reviewed, and recipients will be announced the week of June 15th. Applications should have a focus on ensuring basic needs and essential services throughout Washington County. Applications to fund salaries will not be accepted.

Together, the Community Foundation and United Way have challenged the community to raise an additional $50,000, bringing the total up to $250,000. The initial goal for the Emergency Assistance Fund was $200,000. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so does the community’s need for essential services and basic needs. The current amount of funds raised for Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund is $225,000.

Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/2UR6fsy by texting COVIDWashCo to 313131, by calling 301.739.8200 x 104 or by mailing checks to United Way of Washington County, 83 West Washington Street, Suite 101, Hagerstown, MD.