Unemployment:

Includes self-employed, independent contractors, “gig” workers.

On April 17, eligible Marylanders began seeing an additional $600 per week payment as a result of the federal CARES Act.

On Friday, April 24, the Maryland Department of Labor launched a new BEACON One-Stop Application to allow all newly eligible Marylanders to file all types of claims entirely online. Eligibility is expanded to those who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, have insufficient work history, or who have exhausted their benefits since July 1, 2019 and are eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program will now be able to submit their applications online and receive their benefits retroactive to their earliest date of eligibility.

These individuals should visit Labor’s website at MDunemployment.com and enter their email address to receive important information and instructions about filing their new claim. The new application will also allow individuals who were previously required to file by phone, like those who are federal employees, members of the military, have worked in multiple states, and have worked for more than 3 employers in the last 18 months to now file online. 

Apply for Maryland Unemployment benefits at mdunemployment.com

• $600 per week on top of current regular UI benefits.
• Effective March 29, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
• Will be automatically updated if you qualify, are currently receiving benefits, and once our technical systems are modified.

• 13 additional weeks of UI benefits, plus $600 FPUC.
• Effective March 29, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020.
• Will be automatically updated if you qualify, are currently receiving benefits, and once our technical systems are modified.

CARES Act:

The IRS is providing federal stimulus assistance to individuals.  Individuals must have a Social Security Number for themselves and their qualifying children to receive payments.

• Individuals making up to $75,000 ($150,000 for married workers) will receive payments of $1,200 with an additional $500 payment per minor child. The payments decrease based on incomes above $75,000 and stop altogether for single workers making more than $99,000 ($198,000 for married workers and $218,000 for a family of four.)
• These payments will be issued by the IRS via direct deposit and will be based on the individual's 2019 or 2018 tax return or 2019 Social Security statement.
• If an individual did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and does not receive Social Security benefits, the IRS recommends filing a 2018 return to receive payment. If the IRS does not have the taxpayer’s bank account information, the taxpayer should look for a letter from the IRS detailing how to receive their payment.
• Individuals who receive Social Security, retirement or other social safety net benefits may still qualify for direct payments. These payments will not be taxable nor represent “resources” for program eligibility purposes.

Emergency Assistance Relief Payment (EARP):

The Montgomery County Executive and County Council together have set aside $5 million in funding to support individuals and families experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The funding will provide direct financial assistance to the County’s most vulnerable residents so they can purchase basic needs.  Please check the Emergency Assistance Relief Payment (EARP) program website for additional information.

Rent:

There is a temporary eviction moratorium in place in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. The moratorium prohibits landlords from physically removing renters from their homes for any reason. Evictions also may not happen without an eviction order, which cannot occur while Maryland courts are closed. Maryland courts are currently  closed through May 1.  Montgomery County’s DHCA Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs recommends that tenants experiencing financial hardship contact their landlord to discuss their situation and possible payment arrangements.  Residents with questions or concerns also are invited to contact the County’s Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs directly by calling 311 or 240-777-0311 if dialing from outside of Montgomery County, submitting an  online request, or emailing  olta.intake@montgomerycountymd.gov.  If a landlord attempts to physically evict a tenant during this moratorium, the tenant can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. For more housing information and resources, visit the DHCA frequently asked questions for renters.

Montgomery County also enacted the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which states that for rent changes starting April 24, landlords are also prohibited from increasing their tenants’ rent by more than 2.6% during the COVID-19 emergency or notifying tenants of a rent increase of more than 2.6% during the COVID-19 emergency and for 90 days after. 

Renters may also qualify for a tax credit (a check of up to $1,000). To apply, visit the  Renters Tax Credit application website to determine eligibility, and submit your application online or by mail.  Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2020.  Qualified renters will also be automatically enrolled to receive a 50% matching Montgomery County tax credit that will be mailed to them by the end of March 2021.

Taxes:

The individual income tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15.  Information can be found at Marylandtaxes.gov.

Finding Employment:

• WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) focuses on linking local and regional economic development and workforce efforts in Montgomery County.
• Montgomery County Human Resources  iRecruitment Site is the central listing of all County government jobs. 
• Maryland Department of Labor has compiled a list of over 65 employers who are hiring individuals to immediately fill hundreds of positions.

Relief Funds for Undocumented Immigrants:

• Resources for Immigrants During the Coronavirus Crisis:  Informed Immigrant contains extensive resources regarding COVID-19 and immigrants, including relief funds for undocumented immigrants, restaurant workers, domestic workers, and more.
• Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation: Emergency funds are available to undocumented individuals or mixed status families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Resources:

• The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Restaurant Employee Relief Fund was created to help restaurant industry employees affected by the COVID-19 outbreak by providing one-time $500 grants to employees who have experienced decreased wages or lost employment. 
• The CASH Campaign of Maryland provides financial planning resources and information on lessening the financial impact of this crisis.
• The Paid Sick and Family Leave (CARES Act) enables some individuals to receive two weeks of paid sick leave if unable to work due to quarantine, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or caretaking responsibilities.
• Student Loans and Federal Work-Study: Relief for Federal student loan borrowers includes waiving interest and pausing loan payments for a certain period.

Montgomery County Food Resources Information:

Montgomery County has compiled resources to support residents who are having difficulty obtaining food.  For information about food resources in Montgomery County, please visit our COVID-19 Food Resources page.

Restaurant Pickup & Delivery:

A list of local restaurants open for pickup or delivery, as maintained by Visit Montgomery, can be found at www.mocoeats.com.

• Abused Persons Program (24/7 crisis line): 240-777-4210, TTY Call MD Relay 711
• Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (24/7 crisis line): 240-777-4357, TTY Call MD Relay 711
• Adult Abuse & Neglect  24/7 Reporting Line:  240-777-3000, TTY Call MD Relay 711
• Child Abuse & Neglect 24/7 Reporting Line:  240-777-4417, TTY Call MD Relay 711

Maryland Health Connection:

Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS):

The Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS) serves as the point of entry for Federal, State and County health programs, targeted to residents of Montgomery County who are uninsured and have limited incomes. The OESS offices confirm eligibility for Care for Kids, Maternity Partnership, and Dental Services. Uninsured county residents who are not eligible for medical assistance may qualify for County health programs. All OESS offices are currently closed to the public. Drop boxes for paper applications and documents are available at all sites. Clients who normally visit the Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NON) sites are directed to a variety of options for continued service.  Services are available through online applications.  Documents can be photographed by cell phone or scanned and emailed to the offices.  Clients can call OESS at 240-777-1003 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with questions.  Clients can call also call 240-777-0311 (MC311) or send an email to OESS at  OESS.MoCo@montgomerycountymd.gov.  

Private Insurance:

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) has encouraged all Life & Health Carriers and Property and Casualty Insurers doing business in the State to make reasonable accommodations so that individuals and businesses do not lose coverage due to non-payment of premium during this emergency. Reasonable accommodations may include suspension of premiums due, extension of billing due dates and premium grace periods, and waiver of installment and late payment fees.

Protection from Foreclosure:

Most mortgage loans are owned by HUD-FHA, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, and the VA, which are offering some protections during this time. Each recommends that homeowners having difficulty paying their mortgage during the Coronavirus pandemic contact their mortgage service provider (the company where they send monthly payments) to discuss their situation and explore options. For more information, click on the guidance offered by each:

• Fannie/Freddie loan guidelines
• HUD FHA loan guidelines
• VA loan guidelines

Rent:

There is a  temporary eviction moratorium in place in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. The moratorium prohibits landlords from physically removing renters from their homes for any reason. Evictions also may not happen without an eviction order, which cannot occur while Maryland courts are closed. Maryland courts are currently closed through May 1.  Montgomery County’s DHCA Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs recommends that tenants experiencing financial hardship contact their landlord to discuss their situation and possible payment arrangements. Residents with questions or concerns also are invited to contact the County’s Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs directly by calling 311 or 240-777-0311 if dialing from outside of Montgomery County, submitting an online request, or emailing olta.intake@montgomerycountymd.gov.  If a landlord attempts to physically evict a tenant during this moratorium, the tenant can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. For more housing information and resources, visit the DHCA frequently asked questions for renters.

Renters may also qualify for a tax credit (a check of up to $1,000). To apply, visit the Renters Tax Credit application website to determine eligibility and submit your application online or by mail. Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2020. Qualified renters will also be automatically enrolled to receive a 50% matching Montgomery County tax credit that will be mailed to them by the end of March 2021.

Housing Stabilization Services:

Montgomery County Coalition For The Homeless:

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the appropriate county office listed here:  In Crisis?(English),  ¿Está en crisis? (Spanish), Vous êtes en situation de crise? (French), 위기에 처해 있습니 (Korean),  까? በችግር ላይ ነዎትን? (Amharic)

The COVID-19 pandemic may be causing stress and anxiety for you and your family.  As the stay-home order has gone into effect, we are likely changing our lifestyle and habits even more.  Our lives have been disrupted in ways that most of us have never experienced.  We may be worried about the impact on personal finances and uncertainty about how and when life will return to “normal”. Consecutive days of social distancing and disrupted routines can also be taxing for adults who are taking care of children and older adults.  That puts self-care at a greater premium. 

Here are some tips for tackling anxiety:

• Take a walk or get some exercise.  While it may be more challenging now that we are being asked to stay away from others as much as possible and practice social distancing, it’s important to keep our bodies moving.  Exercise can help us reduce anxiety by raising the level of endorphins (chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and improve our ability to sleep, which in turn can reduce stress and anxiety).
• Take a time out.  Practice yoga, meditate, listen to music, or learn some relaxation techniques.
• Eat well-balanced meals.  Do not skip meals and try to limit junk food as much as possible.  Keep healthy, energy-boosting snacks on hand.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
• Get enough sleep.  When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest.
• Talk to someone.  Tell friends and family members you’re feeling overwhelmed and let them know how they can help you. 

If you need to talk to someone immediately about your stress and anxiety, you can call the County’s 24/7 Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.  EveryMind also has a 24/7 hotline available which you can call or text at 301-738-2255.

​Individuals in Recovery : 

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• The Washington Post article on recovery

Other resources include:

• Montgomery County's Mental Health resource page for COVID-19
• American Psychological Association
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation
• The Maryland Department of Health has produced a comprehensive, shareable guide on how to maintain mental health, broken down by sub-group.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

Information on COVID-19, protective actions, symptoms, cases, and testing can be found on www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19.  Please check that website as well for guidance.   

Face Coverings:

Per the Governor’s order on April 15, all Marylanders must wear cloth face coverings when entering retail stores or riding public transportation. Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles is urging residents to follow the guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that recommend the routine use of homemade cloth face coverings in public settings. The CDC recommends wearing face coverings where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Face Coverings are not advised for children under two years of age or for individuals with difficulty breathing. “We don’t currently know how effective homemade face coverings will be,” said Dr. Gayles. “Wearing a cloth face covering is not a substitute for limiting trips outside of your home, continuing to maintain physical distancing or frequently washing your hands. Given the nationwide shortages, surgical and N95 masks are needed for health care providers and these mask types should be reserved for our frontline clinical professionals.” 

Stay at Home Order:

Per the Governor’s order on March 30, all Marylanders are ordered to stay home to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The only exceptions are for “essential activities” as defined in his order. Essential activities include picking up groceries or meals from restaurants, caring for family or friends, medical care, and other critical needs.

Running Essential Errands:

As Maryland and Montgomery County take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact, residents are facing new challenges and questions about how to meet basic household needs, such as buying groceries and medicine or completing banking activities. The CDC provides advice about how to meet these household needs in a safe and healthy manner.

Other Resources:

• COVID-19 Guidance for Multi-Family Building Residents (English),  Orientación para residentes de edificios multifamiliares (Spanish)
• Guidance for Large or Extended Families Living in the Same Household

No one should feel like they must weather this virus alone.  This is especially true for individuals with disabilities, as the virus can pose additional risks and anxieties.  The links below provide key information for those with special needs.

• Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center
• CDC Videos in Sign Language
  • Symptoms of COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Prevention Tips
  • What Older Adults Need to Know About COVID-19
  • What is My Risk for COVID-19
  • Managing Stress and Anxiety
• Veterans with Disabilities
• COVID-19 Tips for Dementia Caregivers (English), (En Español)
• Autism Society COVID-19 Toolkit

• COVID-19 Information in Amharic
• COVID-19 Information in Chinese
• COVID-19 Information in French
• COVID-19 Information in Korean
• COVID-19 Information in Spanish
• COVID-19 Information in Vietnamese

Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center

• Resource Lists for services that are currently available during the COVID-19 closure in the areas of healthcare, food access, rent and bill assistance, and mental health/domestic violence.
• Know Your Rights information for immigrants
• List of Immigration Legal Service Providers serving Montgomery County residents
• Immigration FAQs

Language Hotlines:

• The  Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) Asian Volunteer Health Clinic has set up a Chinese language COVID-19 Information line, daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m: 301-798-6001.  They also provide food delivery and transportation to essential medical services.
• Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) provides answers to questions regarding COVID-19, including how to cope, and community resources. If a caller needs a medical consultation but does not have a primary healthcare provider, KCSC staff will connect them to volunteer doctors provided by the Korean American Medical Association. Call 240-683-6663 (ext. 104) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 703-354- 6345 (ext. 118 or 127, for the Health Project Team) Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Vietnamese American Services has set up a free hotline for information on COVID-19. Call 301-646-5852 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CASA Health Hotlines:
  • Spanish/English:  301-270-8432
  • French/English:   240-270-1318

Immigrant Eligibility for COVID-19 Relief Programs

• Contains videos in English and Spanish regarding the CARES ACT and what it means for the Latino community from health, education, jobs, housing, and immigration perspectives.

Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits Programs

• Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs During COVID-19, Protecting Immigrant Families: General overview of some federal public programs available to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis under existing law, as well as the recently passed COVID-19 relief laws.  Includes analysis of public charge impacts.
• Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Benefit Programs - National Immigration Law Center (Note: Does not include new public charge information)
• Immigrant Workers’ Eligibility for Unemployment Insurance - National Employment Law Program
• Healthcare Coverage for “Lawfully Present” Immigrants through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - National Immigration Law Center
• Update on Access to Healthcare for Immigrants and Their Families- National Immigration Law Center
• SNAP Policy on Non-Citizen Eligibility - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service 

Information Regarding Public Charge

• Informational flyers in multiple languages regarding public charge, when it does/doesn’t apply, and who is impacted (scroll to bottom of page for different languages).
• Changes to Public Charge: Analysis and Frequently Asked Questions

Immigrant Workers’ Rights During COVID-19

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) During COVID-19

General COVID-19 Resources for Immigrants

• CASA’s Maryland COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide - CASA
• Tangible Support for Immigrant Communities during COVID-19 - Immigrants Rising
• Asian American Health Initiative’s Catalog of COVID-Related Community Efforts includes a list of Asian American organizations and the types of assistance being provided to the community, including in-language hotlines, food assistance, and assistance applying for benefits.

Relief Funds for Undocumented Immigrants

• Resources for Immigrants During the Coronavirus Crisis- Informed Immigrant: Contains extensive resources regarding COVID-19 and immigrants, including relief funds for undocumented immigrants, restaurant workers, domestic workers, and more.
• Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation: Emergency funds available to undocumented individuals or mixed status families, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

​ Immigration Agency Updates

• Detailed discussion of U.S. agency updates and closures (including USCIS, ICE, EOIR, DHS, and Department of State) and responses to COVID-19.

• Discusses updated procedures at USCIS during COVID-19 closure.  Click here to check for updated versions of the document.

• USCIS has suspended routine in-person services until at least May 3, 2020.  Visit link above for information on rescheduling of appointments, filings, etc.
• USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations.  To schedule an emergency appointment, contact the USCIS Contact Center.

• Lists operational status for all immigration courts across the country. 
• Baltimore and Arlington Immigration Courts are open for detainee hearings and filings only.

• Information on ICE procedures during COVID-19, including enforcement actions, visitation at detention facilities, and more.  Individuals who have a scheduled check-in should contact their local field office for guidance prior to their scheduled appointment. 

COVID-19 Information in Multiple Languages

• Proclamations, Orders and Interpretive Guidance translated primarily into Spanish
• COVID-19 General FAQs translated into 19 languages
• Infographics on preventing the spread of viruses translated into six languages

• Main COVID-19 web page translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean (click on languages, which appear in top right corner of screen)
• Additional COVID-19 pages are also translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean, but languages are accessed by a pull-down menu underneath the page’s title

• See links on right side of page for more languages

• Information is translated into Spanish and Arabic.  Use the pull-down menu in upper left corner. More languages coming soon.

Senior Call Check Program

Maryland residents who are 65 years of age or older may enroll in automated check-in phone calls. Calls take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., as close as possible to the one-hour time block pre-selected by the participant. If the participant does not answer their first call, they will be tried two more times. If those calls go unanswered, additional calls will be made to notify an alternative person who is selected by the participant during program enrollment.

Special Shopping Hours for Seniors

Several grocery stores in Montgomery County are setting aside special shopping hours for seniors, allowing them to shop when stores are less busy. Click here for the complete list of grocery stores offering special shopping hours.

Senior Nutrition Program:

If you are age 60 or over, you may be able to pick up boxes of seven frozen meals on a weekly basis at one of the County’s Senior Centers. Contact the nearest  Senior Center for information.

Mental Health Welfare For Seniors

While the COVID-19 virus poses heightened risks for our growing senior community, it's still very important to stay connected with friends, family, and neighbors.  Below are links to help.

• AARP Community Connections
• We Must Care For Older Adults During COVID-19 (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
• Social Connection – Empowering the Ages’s Sharing Smiles connects adults to youth in response to social isolation from COVID-19.

Call-n-Ride (CNR) Program 

By  Executive Order of the Governor, all child care providers are to be closed. No-cost child care programs have been established by the State to serve only designated essential personnel. Visit the  Maryland State Department of Education Division of Early Childhood website for details.

The current COVID-19 crisis can be especially stressful for children. Their routines have changed and that can add anxiety onto an already stressful period.  These links below provide information and tools to let children – and their parents – know that we will get through this together.

• CDC Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• CDC Coping After a Disaster Activity Book (Ages 3 to 10) 
• National Association of School Psychologists COVID-19 Resource Center
• Talking with Kids about COVID-19
• Child Mind Institute Resources on Supporting Families During COVID-19
• Tips for Caregivers on Media Coverage of Upsetting Events
• Autism Society COVID-19 Toolkit
• The Ultimate Change in Routine: Supporting Your Child with Autism Through COVID-19
• Live Science Article
• Helping Children and Teens Cope with Anxiety about COVID-19
• BTheOne – a website with information on teen suicide and substance abuse prevention 

Additional Resources:

• Digital Library Cards are now available from Montgomery County Public Libraries. Check out digital e-books and other online services.
• The State of Maryland has ordered all schools to remain closed through May 15.  MCPS is regularly updating their website with activities and resources as well as learning plans and information on the distribution of Chromebooks and mobile Wi-Fi hotspot devices as needed.

• National LGBT Cancer Network Coronavirus Information
• National Center for Transgender Equality COVID-19 Guide
• Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV

Please travel for essential purposes only. Most transportation systems have reduced their service. Click on the links below for more information.

• RideOn Bus (English & Spanish)
• WMATA Metro bus & rail (English & Spanish)
• MARC Rail
• Call-N-ride program low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities. The service helps transport participants to medical and/or personal appointments, and can now be used to have a taxi driver pickup your groceries or carry-out order.

Limits on Utility Shutoffs:

Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order that prohibits electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service or charging any residential late fees. Electric, gas, and water utilities encourage residents having difficulty paying their bills to contact the utility to discuss payment options or programs for which they might qualify. For more information, visit their websites: 

• PEPCO
• BGE
• Washington Gas
• WSSC
• Verizon
• Comcast/Xfinity
• AT&T

Internet Access: 

Low-income families who live in a Comcast service area can sign-up for their Internet Essentials package. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service.  To sign up, applicants can visit  www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers, 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has collected some useful information regarding scams related to COVID-19 and resources for many consumer questions and issues, including preventing identity theft and consumer rights. 

• OCP Newsletter: COVID-19 and Travel

Public Justice Center: 

The Public Justice Center has a comprehensive guide to your rights for accessing paid sick leave, family medical leave, unemployment benefits, changes in employment status and more.

Self-Help Centers: 

Maryland provides free legal help in civil cases for individuals who do not have a lawyer.  Walk-in self-help centers are temporarily closed to protect the health and safety of court visitors and staff, but the Center is still operating by phone and by live chat.  Call 410-260-1392 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or Chat from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Maryland Advance Directive: Planning For Future Health Care Decisions:

The Office of the Attorney General has made available a publication (which includes forms)that you can use to plan for future health care decisions. The form is optional; other forms are also legally valid. If you have any legal questions about your personal situation, you should consult your own lawyer. If you decide to make an advance directive, be sure to talk about it with those close to you.

Montgomery County has also compiled resources to support business recovery from County, State, and Federal government.  For information about business recovery resources, please visit Montgomery County's COVID-19 Resources for Businesses .

The Volunteer Center Of Montgomery County: 

Resources for those that would like to volunteer during this crisis are available on the Volunteer Center site.  Organizations with volunteer needs can also post opportunities to the site. 

Medical Reserve Corps:

Coordinated through the Maryland Department of Health and Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Medical Reserve Corps is recruiting Responders to serve a range of COVID-19-related needs. They are especially looking for volunteers with clinical backgrounds. Learn more or apply online.

Donations: 

Montgomery County is facing a critical shortage of protective equipment for first responders and medical personnel and is asking the public for donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  PPE is needed immediately to help keep first responders and healthcare workers safe while working in our county and on the pandemic's frontlines.  Personal Protective Equipment includes:

• Respirators (N95 or KN95)
• Masks (surgical or procedural)
• Gowns (medical, isolation, or surgical)
• Face Shields (medical goggles or safety glasses)
• Gloves