State Roundup: Maryland speeds up vaccination timeline, but for many health care workers, 2nd doses prove elusive
State House in snow (Photo by Matt Proud)
STATE SPEEDS UP VACCINE TIMELINE BUT 2
nd DOSES ELUSIVE: Maryland is speeding up its vaccination timeline, following the lead of other states and recommendations from federal officials as the surge of deaths and hospitalizations in the U.S. associated with COVID-19 continues. As of Monday, hospitalized people with certain medical conditions placing them at greater risk of a severe COVID-19 case are eligible for vaccination, McKenna Oxenden and Hallie Miller report in the Sun.
Hospitals across the state are reporting difficulties in getting enough vaccines to provide second doses to health care workers in the highest priority categories, according to state officials. The news comes as federal officials in the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House COVID-19 Response Team advised states Monday to not withh
State Roundup: Dem leaders push $520M in relief targeting small biz, vulnerable Marylanders
The State Senate Jan. 22, 2021. MarylandReporter.com photo
DEMS PROPOSE $520M TARGETED RELIEF PACKAGE: Senate Democratic leaders Wednesday unveiled a $520 million coronavirus fiscal relief package aimed at helping both the state’s small businesses and its most vulnerable communities survive the pandemic, Bryan Renbaum of Maryland Reporter writes.
The Senate’s “Recovery Now” plan runs a wide gamut of priorities: sending millions to food banks and fire departments; wiping out utility and rental debt for a few thousand families; awarding grants for businesses, artists and nonprofits; paying $1,000 to tens of thousands of people stuck in limbo in the unemployment system; restoring buses and trains to pre-pandemic service levels; and funding “wellmobiles” to administer doses of the coronavirus vaccine, Pamela Wood of the Sun reports.
State Roundup: Annapolis, like other state capitals, bracing for armed pro-Trump protests; Hogan $1B in COVID aid
On Thursday at the D.C. Armory, Gov. Larry Hogan addressed members of the Maryland National Guard to help protect the Capitol after the riot there on Wednesday. Governor s Office photo by Joe Andrucyk
ANNAPOLIS BRACES FOR ARMED PRO-TRUMP PROTESTS: If armed protesters march on Maryland’s state capitol this Sunday the state’s law enforcement agencies will be ready to address the threat, according to Greg Shipley, spokesman for the Maryland State Police. And Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference on Monday morning that he is aware of the threat and that “additional security measures” will be implemented around state buildings in Annapolis, reports Bryan Renbaum of Maryland Reporter.
State Roundup: Restaurants suffer under Covid restrictions, seek proof that dining out is risky
Monday s sunset of the winter solstice at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England. Screen shot
SUFFERING EATERIES WANT PROOF OF COVID TRANSMISSION: Bryan Renbaum of Maryland Reporter writes that head of Restaurant Association of Maryland says that the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on Maryland’s restaurant industry and many establishments may soon close their doors for good if they do not receive substantial financial assistance from the government.
Among restaurateurs frustrated by the latest round of dining room shutdowns, one question keeps bubbling to the surface: Where’s the proof that dining out puts people at higher risk of contracting Covid-19?, reports Amanda Yeager for the Baltimore Business Journal.
State Roundup: Vaccines could start arriving in Maryland this week
Maryland s electoral college members take their oath of office Monday. As in all oaths of office here and around the nation, they swear to support the Constitution of the United States. Governor s Office Photo
VACCINES EXPECTED TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK: As coronavirus cases continue to rise, doses of a highly anticipated vaccine could start arriving in Maryland as soon as this week. Gov. Larry Hogan said during a news conference that the first shots are reserved for hospital workers and nursing home residents and employees, McKenna Oxenden and Ben Leonard of the Sun report.