Dear Members, Friends and Volunteers,
All state mass vaccination sites, CVS, Walmart and Walgreens are now accepting walk-ups
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced this week that all 13 State-operated mass vaccination sites are now accepting walk-ups as well as people seeking COVID-19 vaccinations with appointments. This includes the mass vaccination site at the Germantown campus of Montgomery College.
In addition, many government- and privately-operated vaccination sites are now providing vaccinations to residents 16-and-older. Parents/guardians do not have to accompany their 16- and 17-year-old children to the clinics. More
CVS Health announced yesterday that its pharmacy locations across the U.S. will begin accepting walk-in COVID-19 appointments, joining Walmart and Walgreens. CVS also will allow same-day scheduling, including appointments that are made as soon as one hour in advance. More
If walking up doesn't appeal, you can also make your own appointments now at both the State's mass vaccination sites and at Montgomery County clinics.
Homebound can get in-home vaccinations
Call the Maryland GoVAX COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Please choose the option “No Arm Left Behind” and a support center advocate will take your information for in-home vaccination coordination. More
County approves phased re-openings tied to COVID-19 vaccination levels
Last week, the County Council voted unanimously to approve an amended Board of Health regulation to allow a further phased reopening tied to COVID-19 vaccinations. The amended Board of Health regulation took effect on April 27 at 5 PM. To read the amended Board of Health regulation, click here.
The Fifth Amended Board of Health Regulation provides guidance for expanded reopenings in the County based on the percentage of the County population receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
Currently, 51.2 percent of the County population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. The expanded reopenings would be automatically triggered when the Montgomery County Health Officer reports to the Board of Health that the vaccination benchmarks have been reached.
Face coverings and social distancing are still required.
The phases would be:
1. At 50 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine:
• Gathering limits increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
• Businesses limited to 25 percent capacity (including theatres) move to 50 percent capacity and may sell food and drink for consumption while people are seated.
• Camps can move to the gathering limits of 50 indoors and 100 outdoors.
• Escape rooms can allow 10 people per game.
• Museums and galleries may reopen their touch exhibits.
• Malls may reopen pedestrian concourses and return tables and chairs inside.
• Sports move to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors with a similar number of spectators.
2. At 60 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine:
• Gathering limits increase to 250 people indoors and no limit outdoors.
• Most businesses move to 75 percent capacity.
• Camps can increase to gathering limits of 250 people indoors with no capacity limit outdoors and may permit campers from outside of Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.
• Convention and banquet facilities are limited to 50 percent of the facility's maximum capacity per state restrictions.
• Cigar and hookah bars may permit smoking outdoors.
• Food service establishments may move to 75 percent of maximum capacity.
• Religious facilities may move to 75 percent of maximum capacity.
• Sports may increase capacity for participants and spectators to 250 people indoors and no limit outdoors and may engage in play with teams from outside Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.
3. At 50 percent of the population being fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, all conduct and business in Montgomery County must follow any state or Maryland Department of Health requirements in place at the time. “Fully vaccinated” means two weeks after a person has received all required doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Montgomery County follows face covering guidelines from the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health, whichever is stricter. The new regulation provides an exception for sports activities that allows the removal of face coverings during vigorous outdoor exercise for high heat and humidity.
If the Montgomery County health officer finds that after reviewing community transmission metrics that continued reopening phases would be contrary to the public health, the health officer must report those concerns to the Board of Health and the continuation to the next phase must be suspended pending a hearing before the Board of Health. (Source: County Council press release)
Do I still need to wear a mask? Updated CDC mask guidelines and risk levels
Last week, CDC issued updated guidelines on the level of risk for indoor and outdoor activities for people who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated and those who are not. Generally, if you are fully vaccinated, you can do many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, and, outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities.
Within the CDC guidance are handy color-coded graphics that lists several types of outdoor and indoor activities and shows, by activity, the risk level for persons who are or are not fully vaccinated. The risk levels assume the recommended prevention measures are followed, both by the individual and the venue (if applicable).
Montgomery County is abiding by CDC's mask guidelines, which say unvaccinated persons should continue to wear masks when at small outdoor gatherings or dining at outdoors at a restaurant. The county still requires social distancing and capacity limits (50%) at outdoor dining and bar establishments.
Last week, Governor Hogan fully lifted the state’s outdoor mask mandate and ended restrictions on outdoor dining. More
Financial incentives for state employees to vaccinate
Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland will offer a $100 financial incentive to state employees who elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. More here
CDC study: Fully vaccinated seniors 94% less likely to be hospitalized
Real world testing confirms effectiveness of Pfizer, Moderna shots.
Washington Post: here
Do not laminate your vaccination card
Keep the card in a safe place and make a copy of the original. If you are traveling or returning to work, consider bringing your vaccination record card in case you are asked for proof of vaccination.
AARP: here
Old SmarTrip cards phase out
WMATA is phasing out first generation SmarTrip cards because they won't work with the new faregates being installed later this year. Unless your SmarTrip serial number looks like XXXXXX 0167 0000 0000 0000 it will need to be replaced. For additional information, please click here.
If you can do without your older SmarTrip card for a few weeks, you can mail it to Metro along with the form here. Metro will send you a new card with your balance transferred and a $5 stored value.
If you’re using your SmarTrip card, you can transfer the balance to a new card online at https://smartrip.wmata.com/GoCard/CardInfo
If your SmarTrip card was or is enrolled in SmartBenefits (an employee tra nsit benefits program), ensure that your contact information is correct and Metro will notify you when you can transfer your balance.
Zoo, seven Smithsonian museums reopening in May
The Smithsonian will reopen eight of its facilities in May. The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, opened on Wednesday, May 5. The other facilities will open later in the month. All of the other Smithsonian museums will remain temporarily closed to the public.
Reopening schedule:
• May 5: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
• May 14: National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Portrait Gallery; Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
• May 21: National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C., location), National Zoo
Timed entry passes (free) are required for each location. Passes for the Udvar-Hazy Center are available now. Passes for the other locations will be available a week before they reopen. Visitors can reserve passes online or by phone at 1-800-514-3849, ext. 1. Each person can reserve up to six passes per day for a specific location. More
Sources: Montgomery Update; The Hill; Maryland.gov Covid Link; Dedicated Ann Wild; Montgomery County COVID-19 Vaccine Update for 5/4/2021; Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services; The Office of Governor Larry Hogan; Washington Post: AARP; Ardoth Hassler - BCC listserv; Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services
All state mass vaccination sites, CVS, Walmart and Walgreens are now accepting walk-ups
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced this week that all 13 State-operated mass vaccination sites are now accepting walk-ups as well as people seeking COVID-19 vaccinations with appointments. This includes the mass vaccination site at the Germantown campus of Montgomery College.
In addition, many government- and privately-operated vaccination sites are now providing vaccinations to residents 16-and-older. Parents/guardians do not have to accompany their 16- and 17-year-old children to the clinics. More
CVS Health announced yesterday that its pharmacy locations across the U.S. will begin accepting walk-in COVID-19 appointments, joining Walmart and Walgreens. CVS also will allow same-day scheduling, including appointments that are made as soon as one hour in advance. More
If walking up doesn't appeal, you can also make your own appointments now at both the State's mass vaccination sites and at Montgomery County clinics.
Homebound can get in-home vaccinations
Call the Maryland GoVAX COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Please choose the option “No Arm Left Behind” and a support center advocate will take your information for in-home vaccination coordination. More
County approves phased re-openings tied to COVID-19 vaccination levels
Last week, the County Council voted unanimously to approve an amended Board of Health regulation to allow a further phased reopening tied to COVID-19 vaccinations. The amended Board of Health regulation took effect on April 27 at 5 PM. To read the amended Board of Health regulation, click here.
The Fifth Amended Board of Health Regulation provides guidance for expanded reopenings in the County based on the percentage of the County population receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
Currently, 51.2 percent of the County population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. The expanded reopenings would be automatically triggered when the Montgomery County Health Officer reports to the Board of Health that the vaccination benchmarks have been reached.
Face coverings and social distancing are still required.
The phases would be:
1. At 50 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine:
• Gathering limits increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
• Businesses limited to 25 percent capacity (including theatres) move to 50 percent capacity and may sell food and drink for consumption while people are seated.
• Camps can move to the gathering limits of 50 indoors and 100 outdoors.
• Escape rooms can allow 10 people per game.
• Museums and galleries may reopen their touch exhibits.
• Malls may reopen pedestrian concourses and return tables and chairs inside.
• Sports move to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors with a similar number of spectators.
2. At 60 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine:
• Gathering limits increase to 250 people indoors and no limit outdoors.
• Most businesses move to 75 percent capacity.
• Camps can increase to gathering limits of 250 people indoors with no capacity limit outdoors and may permit campers from outside of Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.
• Convention and banquet facilities are limited to 50 percent of the facility's maximum capacity per state restrictions.
• Cigar and hookah bars may permit smoking outdoors.
• Food service establishments may move to 75 percent of maximum capacity.
• Religious facilities may move to 75 percent of maximum capacity.
• Sports may increase capacity for participants and spectators to 250 people indoors and no limit outdoors and may engage in play with teams from outside Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.
3. At 50 percent of the population being fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, all conduct and business in Montgomery County must follow any state or Maryland Department of Health requirements in place at the time. “Fully vaccinated” means two weeks after a person has received all required doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Montgomery County follows face covering guidelines from the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health, whichever is stricter. The new regulation provides an exception for sports activities that allows the removal of face coverings during vigorous outdoor exercise for high heat and humidity.
If the Montgomery County health officer finds that after reviewing community transmission metrics that continued reopening phases would be contrary to the public health, the health officer must report those concerns to the Board of Health and the continuation to the next phase must be suspended pending a hearing before the Board of Health. (Source: County Council press release)
Do I still need to wear a mask? Updated CDC mask guidelines and risk levels
Last week, CDC issued updated guidelines on the level of risk for indoor and outdoor activities for people who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated and those who are not. Generally, if you are fully vaccinated, you can do many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, and, outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities.
Within the CDC guidance are handy color-coded graphics that lists several types of outdoor and indoor activities and shows, by activity, the risk level for persons who are or are not fully vaccinated. The risk levels assume the recommended prevention measures are followed, both by the individual and the venue (if applicable).
Montgomery County is abiding by CDC's mask guidelines, which say unvaccinated persons should continue to wear masks when at small outdoor gatherings or dining at outdoors at a restaurant. The county still requires social distancing and capacity limits (50%) at outdoor dining and bar establishments.
Last week, Governor Hogan fully lifted the state’s outdoor mask mandate and ended restrictions on outdoor dining. More
Financial incentives for state employees to vaccinate
Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland will offer a $100 financial incentive to state employees who elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. More here
CDC study: Fully vaccinated seniors 94% less likely to be hospitalized
Real world testing confirms effectiveness of Pfizer, Moderna shots.
Washington Post: here
Do not laminate your vaccination card
Keep the card in a safe place and make a copy of the original. If you are traveling or returning to work, consider bringing your vaccination record card in case you are asked for proof of vaccination.
AARP: here
Old SmarTrip cards phase out
WMATA is phasing out first generation SmarTrip cards because they won't work with the new faregates being installed later this year. Unless your SmarTrip serial number looks like XXXXXX 0167 0000 0000 0000 it will need to be replaced. For additional information, please click here.
If you can do without your older SmarTrip card for a few weeks, you can mail it to Metro along with the form here. Metro will send you a new card with your balance transferred and a $5 stored value.
If you’re using your SmarTrip card, you can transfer the balance to a new card online at https://smartrip.wmata.com/GoCard/CardInfo
If your SmarTrip card was or is enrolled in SmartBenefits (an employee tra nsit benefits program), ensure that your contact information is correct and Metro will notify you when you can transfer your balance.
Zoo, seven Smithsonian museums reopening in May
The Smithsonian will reopen eight of its facilities in May. The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, opened on Wednesday, May 5. The other facilities will open later in the month. All of the other Smithsonian museums will remain temporarily closed to the public.
Reopening schedule:
• May 5: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
• May 14: National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Portrait Gallery; Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
• May 21: National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C., location), National Zoo
Timed entry passes (free) are required for each location. Passes for the Udvar-Hazy Center are available now. Passes for the other locations will be available a week before they reopen. Visitors can reserve passes online or by phone at 1-800-514-3849, ext. 1. Each person can reserve up to six passes per day for a specific location. More
Sources: Montgomery Update; The Hill; Maryland.gov Covid Link; Dedicated Ann Wild; Montgomery County COVID-19 Vaccine Update for 5/4/2021; Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services; The Office of Governor Larry Hogan; Washington Post: AARP; Ardoth Hassler - BCC listserv; Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services
Village Ambassador Alliance COVID-19 Resource Newsletter from Suburban Hospital
Greetings! The vaccine is now widely available to all ages in Montgomery County. While the vaccinated population increases, we must continue to follow the safety guidance issued to reduce your risk of infection and spread. For as long as it takes, Suburban Hospital will remain committed to the health and safety of the entire community. We are continuously monitoring and assessing the effects of the pandemic on the community and local resources to help you and your members make informed decisions for your health and safety. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and families.
For your reading convenience, please see the attached newsletter for this edition’s resources. A link to this edition will be available here by May 4.
Greetings! The vaccine is now widely available to all ages in Montgomery County. While the vaccinated population increases, we must continue to follow the safety guidance issued to reduce your risk of infection and spread. For as long as it takes, Suburban Hospital will remain committed to the health and safety of the entire community. We are continuously monitoring and assessing the effects of the pandemic on the community and local resources to help you and your members make informed decisions for your health and safety. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and families.
For your reading convenience, please see the attached newsletter for this edition’s resources. A link to this edition will be available here by May 4.
| village_ambassador_alliance_covid_043021.pdf |
