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January 23, 2021

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

News COVID-19

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update Jan. 22

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Maryland added nearly 2,400 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and 57 deaths.

The state’s 7-day positivity rate is 7.5%, a decrease of 0.16 percentage points.

Key points for today

• Kent County COVID-19 cases increased by 18 to 982, according to the county health department.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 7.48%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 336,915, an increase of 2,396 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 57 people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 6,617.

The Spy obtains information for this chart between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

* For Kent County deaths, The Spy reports its own tally based on the number of state-reported deaths within Kent County facilities and the number of non-facility deaths. For Queen Anne’s County deaths, The Spy reports the total deaths listed on the county’s website. There are discrepancies among state and county statistics concerning total deaths and facility deaths.

Key metrics

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients decreased by 44 over the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 1,768 people hospitalized — 1,388 in acute care and 424 in intensive care.

• Of the 51,990 test results received yesterday, 5.72% were positive.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Md. Hospital Capacity and Beds in Use

Additional information

• A total of 6,630,564 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland; this number does not represent the total number of patients tested as some patients have been tested multiple times. The state reports 2,760,718 people have tested negative.

• Of the state’s 336,915 cases, 30,697 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 9,469 have been released from isolation.

U.S. Capitol Police Investigating Handgun Incident Involving Rep. Harris

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The United States Capitol Police have opened an investigation into an incident involving Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-Md.), following reports he entered the U.S. Capitol with a firearm.

HuffPost reported that Harris set off newly installed metal detectors outside the House chamber on Thursday and was stopped by Capitol Police. 

One officer motioned to another to indicate that the First District lawmaker had a weapon hidden inside his suit coat, the site reported. 

A journalist who witnessed the encounter reported that Harris tried to offload the weapon to a nearby colleague, Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), but Katko refused to take it, telling Harris he didn’t have “a license.” 

HuffPost also heard Harris complain to some fellow members that he had asked his staff to remind him about the screenings and they hadn’t.

Harris then left on the elevators and 10 minutes later returned to the House chamber, the site reported. He placed his cellphone and keys on a desk to the side, did not set off the magnetometer and was allowed to enter the House floor.

In an email on Thursday night, U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki told Maryland Matters, “The USCP is investigating the matter.”

NBC News reported on Thursday that a “Capitol official” who was present “saw a firearm on the person of Rep. Harris and relayed that to his superiors.”

“To be clear, Rep. Harris did not enter the Floor,” the official said. 

The metal detectors outside the chamber were ordered put in place by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) after the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. They have become a flashpoint among some Republican members, and they have at times created tension with police.

Harris’ communications team frequently does not respond to requests for comment from reporters and they did not respond to an email from Maryland Matters on Thursday night. But they did release a statement to Fox 45 News in Baltimore, which said:

“Because his and his family’s lives have been threatened by someone who has been released awaiting trial, for security reasons, the Congressman never confirms whether he nor anyone else he’s with are carrying a firearm for self-defense. As a matter of public record, he has a Maryland Handgun Permit. And the congressman always complies with the House metal detectors and wanding. The Congressman has never carried a firearm on the House floor.” 

Despite the District of Columbia’s strict gun laws, members of Congress are allowed to carry unloaded weapons in congressional office buildings and on the Capitol grounds, but not in the chamber. 

Several GOP members have boasted of carrying weapons wherever they go, prompting calls from Democratic lawmakers for metal detectors to be installed outside the chamber. 

Pelosi is reportedly considering fines for members who bypass security checkpoints inside the Capitol. 

HuffPost reported on Thursday that Harris “has repeatedly flouted the magnetometers that were installed near the House chamber after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.” 

The incident involving the six-term lawmaker came two weeks after thousands of supporters of former President Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to block the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.

The siege forced members of the Senate and House and Vice President Mike Pence to flee into secure locations. Five people died in the uprising, including a Capitol police officer. 

The attempted coup led to the second impeachment of Trump and an unprecedented increase in security around the building. 

Harris is a loyal supporter of President Trump who has spoken frequently about his fear that the government will try to strip citizens of their guns. He is the only Republican in the state’s congressional delegation and has received campaign contributions from the NRA.

Harris was one of nearly 150 GOP lawmakers to vote to block Biden’s win, even after the attempted insurrection. When lawmakers returned to the House chamber to resume their work in the overnight hours of Jan. 7, Harris got into a scuffle on the House floor with Rep. Colin Alred (D-Texas). 

Harris’s baseless claims that Biden’s win was marred by fraud has been condemned by Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) and led to numerous calls for his resignation. 

By Bruce DePuyt

WC Students Returning Under Strict Guidelines

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Vice President and Dean of Students Sarah Feyerherm attended Monday’s Town Council meeting to update the Council on Washington College’s plans for student attendance during the continuing pandemic.

Students began returning to the campus on Tuesday 19th. Feyerherm told the Council, with 400 students planning to be on campus, 238 off-campus, and 400 staying at home. The return will be staggered over two weeks.

With traditional classrooms closed, all students will attend classes online. Currently, the campus is closed except for deliveries.

Feyerherm states that strict guidelines are in place to prevent large student gatherings both on campus and off-campus. Aside from using the dining hall and exercise outside, campus activities will be limited.

As students return to campus, they will be tested for virus infection. Testing will be ongoing, with each student being tested every two weeks with 24-48 hour lab results from the University of Maryland. The students are expected to quarantine between initial tests.

If an on-campus student tests positive, quarantine and isolation places are available. Off-campus students will be allowed to quarantine at their residence. Weekly testing results will be posted on their website.

A re-evaluation of the safeguards will be made in late March.

Ward 4 Council Person Meghan Efland asked about concerns the town might have with off-campus housing and how to address them. Feherherm told the Council that any observed behavior concerns should be reported to the town police or directly to her office.

Mayor Cerino said he would be remiss if he did not air his concern, adding “this is definitely a conundrum for the mayor and council because we obviously want the College to succeed because it is a huge engine for Chestertown educationally, economically and culturally,” but that if guidelines are not met, non-symptomatic students with the virus could unintentionally endanger the more vulnerable in the community.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. More about Washington College may be found here.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update Jan. 21

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Maryland added more than 2,100 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and 46 deaths.

The state’s 7-day positivity rate is 7.66%, a decrease of 0.10 percentage points.

Key points for today

• Kent County COVID-19 cases increased by 8 to 964, according to the county health department.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 8.26%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 334,519, an increase of 2,166 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 46 people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 6,560.

The Spy obtains information for this chart between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

* For Kent County deaths, The Spy reports its own tally based on the number of state-reported deaths within Kent County facilities and the number of non-facility deaths. For Queen Anne’s County deaths, The Spy reports the total deaths listed on the county’s website. There are discrepancies among state and county statistics concerning total deaths and facility deaths.

Key metrics

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients decreased by 46 over the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 1,812 people hospitalized — 1,388 in acute care and 424 in intensive care.

• Of the 37,628 test results received yesterday, 7.51% were positive.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Md. Hospital Capacity and Beds in Use

Additional information

• A total of 6,578,575 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland; this number does not represent the total number of patients tested as some patients have been tested multiple times. The state reports 2,749,627 people have tested negative.

• Of the state’s 334,519 cases, 30,498 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 9,459 have been released from isolation.

United Way of Kent County Seeks Board Members

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United Way of Kent County is requesting nominations for its Board of Directors. Board members serve for a three-year term. Those nominated are expected to have a commitment to Kent County and a desire to build community partnerships and mobilize resources to address root problems.

Board member responsibilities include participation in monthly meetings, committees, and special events; evaluation of funding allocations, and active support for the organization.  United Way is especially looking for those that may speak for underrepresented populations or areas of Kent County.

United Way works to improve the health, education and financial stability of individuals and families in Kent County. The Board assesses community needs, solicits funds, and determines priorities for the allocation of funds.

Those interested may contact the Executive Director, Beth Everett, by email at info@unitedwayofkentcounty.org for more information.  The United Way’s annual fund-raising campaign is taking place now. Donations may be made at any time via the website unitedwayofkentcounty.org or by mail to United Way of Kent County, P.O. Box 594, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Talbot Officials Working to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Process

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Talbot County’s first attempt to get a general population group signed up for COVID-19 vaccinations has had a few hiccups, but officials are working to improve the process.

On Monday, Maryland moved to Phase 1B in its vaccination plan, which allows residents 75 and older to be vaccinated.

Local health departments, including in Talbot County, are working to get that group signed up for vaccination clinics, with some information tied in to a state registration website over which local agencies have no control.

Talbot County’s first clinic for those 75 and up is set for Friday, Jan. 22, and the 150 slots available were filled within 12-20 minutes after about 200 people were emailed a registration link, health officials said.

“Our fix is to continue scheduling additional clinics that people can register in advance for, and to send out the signup link to a more targeted number of recipients,” Dr. Maria Maguire, the county’s acting health officer, said in a statement. “We also plan to keep pre-registrants informed with regular communications so they know the next steps they should do.

“As this was our first attempt to get a general population group signed up, a mistake was inadvertently made in that process,” Maguire said. “We were trying to get people signed up as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we continue to be extremely limited with our vaccine supply.”

As of 2013, Talbot County had more than 4,000 residents aged 75 and older. Population estimates in 2019 show the county has more than 11,000 residents who are 65 and up.

Maguire announced in a Jan. 14 press release that the health department was ready to move to Phase 1B following Gov. Larry Hogan’s announcement that he was accelerating Maryland’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

In addition to residents 75 years of age and older, Phase 1B includes assisted living, group homes and other congregate care facilities, continuity of government officials, high risk incarcerated adults, and K-12 school staff.

Healthcare workers and first responders were in Phase 1A.

“We are only limited by the number of vaccinations supplied,” Maguire said Jan. 14. “We have the capacity to vaccinate everyone in Talbot County in a timely matter.”

Talbot County residents 75 years of age and older must pre-register for their COVID-19 vaccinations on the health department’s website at bit.ly/talbot-75. The health department will then respond to individuals to schedule vaccination clinic appointments.

The health department also is on the process of setting up a call center for residents to schedule vaccinations, with updates
announced through social media, on the TCHD and talbotcovid19.org webpages, and through public service announcements.

As of Tues., Jan. 12, the Talbot County Health Department had received 1,700 Moderna vaccinations and had administered 1,132 by Jan. 14. The health department requests vaccinations each week, and has been receiving on average 500 vaccinations per week.

In the email sent late Tuesday afternoon to residents who had pre-registered for a vaccination appointment, the health department noted: “Appointments are extremely limited so if no appointments are available when you try to sign up, please note we will be contacting you again when additional clinics are scheduled.”

For more information about the county’s vaccination plan, go to https://health.maryland.gov/talbotcounty/Pages/Covid-Info.aspx.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update Jan. 20

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The U.S. has topped more than 400,000 deaths from COVID-19.

Maryland added more than 2,100 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and 38 deaths.

The state’s 7-day positivity rate is 7.76%, a decrease of 0.04 percentage points.

Key points for today

• Kent County COVID-19 cases increased by 7 to 956, according to the county health department.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 7.41%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 332,353, an increase of 2,167 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 38 people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 6,514.

The Spy obtains information for this chart between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

* For Kent County deaths, The Spy reports its own tally based on the number of state-reported deaths within Kent County facilities and the number of non-facility deaths. For Queen Anne’s County deaths, The Spy reports the total deaths listed on the county’s website. There are discrepancies among state and county statistics concerning total deaths and facility deaths.

Key metrics

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients decreased by 17 over the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 1,858 people hospitalized — 1,438 in acute care and 420 in intensive care.

• Of the 30,886 test results received yesterday, 8.51% were positive.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Md. Hospital Capacity and Beds in Use

Additional information

• A total of 6,541,052 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland; this number does not represent the total number of patients tested as some patients have been tested multiple times. The state reports 2,740,161 people have tested negative.

• Of the state’s 332,353 cases, 30,327 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 9,457 have been released from isolation.

For All Seasons Awarded Chesapeake Charities Nonprofit of the Year Award

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Chesapeake Charities awarded For All Seasons its 2020 Nonprofit of the Year Award as it recognized local heroes during the pandemic.

Recognition was done virtually through video interviews. A spokesperson for Chesapeake Charities said that For All Seasons, “mounted an all-hands-on-deck approach to address the mental health crisis arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic distress and social isolation. With a huge uptick of clients since March 1, For All Seasons added teletherapy and telepsychiatry and additional staff to address the dramatically higher number of calls to its 24/7 hotline.”

Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons is pictured accepting the Chesapeake Charities 2020 Nonprofit of the Year Award from Senator Addie Eckardt.

Pamela Ortiz, President of the For All Seasons Board of Directors, commented, “This award is an honor for our staff and medical team who have accommodated over 1050 new clients since COVID-19 arrived last March. It has taken extraordinary measures to meet the growing mental health needs on the Mid-Shore, and I am so proud of the entire staff stepping up to deliver these services.”

For All Seasons operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-sectarian organization established in the Mid-Shore area to assist individuals, groups, and communities by providing trauma-certified Mental Health and Psychiatry Services, Rape Crisis Services including advocacy and crisis hotlines, and education and outreach to the community.  

For All Seasons and YMCA Partner in the Healthy Mind and Body Project

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For All Seasons and the Easton Family YMCA recently announced a new partnership. Beginning in January, Denae Spiering, Outreach and Events Coordinator at For All Seasons, will be available to YMCA staff and members for two hours a week to provide mental health information and resources.

“Our YMCA continues to take steps in helping care for the mental health of our members. Our mission statement calls us to help build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all those we serve in our community. To help further those efforts, the Easton Family YMCA is collaborating with For All Seasons to provide easier access to mental health consultations,” states Derek White, Group Executive, Easton Family YMCA.

Pictured back to front, Denae Spiering, Outreach and Events Coordinator at For All Seasons; Derek White, Group Executive, Easton Family YMCA; Beth Anne Langrell, CEO, For All Seasons; and Sam Pugh, Membership Director, Easton Family YMCA.

CEO, Beth Anne Langrell shares, “We hope that our weekly presence at the Y will give its staff and members a meaningful opportunity to ask questions and find resources related to mental health. Our partnership demonstrates the commitment both agencies have for fostering both physical and mental wellness. We continue to be a resource for mental health services in our community, always looking for new partners in a journey toward wellness for all of our citizens.”

Spiering will provide virtual office hours through the first quarter of 2021 with the hope of having a physical presence in the YMCA soon. Spiering comments, “This opportunity offers us a new way to do outreach. When we cannot meet in person at events, this project helps us to stay connected to community members and get the important mental health information into their hands.”

For All Seasons operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-sectarian organization established in the Mid-Shore area to assist individuals, groups, and communities by providing trauma-certified Mental Health and Psychiatry Services, Rape Crisis Services including advocacy and crisis hotlines, and education and outreach to the community.  

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update Jan. 19

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Maryland added more than 1,900 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and 53 deaths.

The state’s 7-day positivity rate is 7.8%, a decrease of 0.42 percentage points. The rate had been above 8% for 21 days.

Key points for today

• Kent County COVID-19 cases increased by 6 to 949, according to the county health department.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 8.09%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 330,186, an increase of 1,972 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 53 people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 6,476.

The Spy obtains information for this chart between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

* For Kent County deaths, The Spy reports its own tally based on the number of state-reported deaths within Kent County facilities and the number of non-facility deaths. For Queen Anne’s County deaths, The Spy reports the total deaths listed on the county’s website. There are discrepancies among state and county statistics concerning total deaths and facility deaths.

Key metrics

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients increased by 25 over the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 1,875 people hospitalized — 1,464 in acute care and 411 in intensive care.

• Of the 29,389 test results received yesterday, 8.26% were positive.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Md. Hospital Capacity and Beds in Use

Additional information

• A total of 6,510,156 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland; this number does not represent the total number of patients tested as some patients have been tested multiple times. The state reports 2,731,921 people have tested negative.

• Of the state’s 330,186 cases, 30,157 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 9,456 have been released from isolation.