Coronavirus Updates: Virtual Town Hall Next Week, Pet Food Pantry, Masks Distributed for Wastewater Workers

May 8, 2020 
 
Media Contact: 
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412 
 
Coronavirus Updates: Virtual Town Hall Next Week, Pet Food Pantry, Masks Distributed for Wastewater Workers 
 
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will host his second Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about COVID-19 and the local response and recovery. Residents can register online to participate via WebEx or stream live on Facebook. Questions can be asked live, but residents are encouraged to email questions ahead of time to townhall@howardcountymd.gov 
  
“As we are about to end our second month of responding and reacting to the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on the health and economy of Howard County, we find ourselves in a period of transition,” said Ball. “Quarantine fatigue is setting in and with schools closed for the academic year, a lot of our residents have questions and concerns about what is next and how we’re moving forward. We look forward to engaging with our community and updating residents on how we will navigate the new normal together.” 
 
Ball continued, “This weekend may be extra difficult as we celebrate Mother’s Day, many families won’t be able to see each other in person, and for some this might be the first year, or many years, without their mother. We’re thinking about all our residents and wishing them peace and comfort this weekend.” 
 
Earlier today the County Executive announced a total of $1 million in relief funding for food and rental assistance and eviction relief for Howard County residents. $200k has been allocated to the Community Action Council of Howard County to support the food bank – which has had more than 12,000 pick-ups since March. An additional $800k is being allocated to local nonprofits to distribute to residents in need of rental assistance or eviction relief. Additionally, Howard County announced today the cancellation of the July 4th fireworks celebration in Columbia.  
 
Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center has a pet food bank available to those who need assistance during the current state of emergency. To date, the pet food bank has helped more than 100 residents and their pets during this crisis.  
 
Those needing help can reach out to them directly at animalcontrol@howardcountymd.gov. If you would like to donate, you can do so through the Amazon wish list online. Those who wish to drop off donations may leave them under the front overhang of the center, 8576 Davis Road, Columbia. Please review the Amazon wish lists for needs. 
 
Howard County’s Bureau of Utilities Chief, Art Shapiro, who also serves as Chair of MD Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) has been working with the Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to distribute reusable cloth masks around the state, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA provided cloth reusable face masks to the WARN for distribution to Maryland’s water and wastewater systems. To date, OEM and the Bureau of Utilities have distributed nearly 4500 masks to essential wastewater workers. 
 
The Feed Howard Program is a joint initiative by the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and local restaurants, employing local restaurant workers to prepare meals, and then providing those meals to families in need. This week, Shannon’s Irish Pub is providing food to residents on Monday, May 11th at 4 p.m. at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. County Executive Ball is expected to stop by and thank volunteers who coordinated the effort. The program is sponsored by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. Donations for the “Feed Howard Program” can be made HERE. Please select the “Feed Howard County” program.