April 4th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
Executive orders signed Friday by Gov. Larry Hogan prohibit mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosures and allow Marylanders to ask lenders for forbearance. WBAL reported Marylanders who miss mortgage payments will not be charged late fees and no derogatory information will be sent to credit bureaus. Hogan already banned residential evictions. A new order bans commercial and industrial evictions and forbids the repossession of cars trucks and mobile homes. Financial institutions will have expanded lending authority and debt collection activities will be suspended.
Maryland has more than 2,700 cases of COVID-19 and 42 deaths. In the past two weeks, more than 126,000 Marylanders have filed for unemployment as Hogan's orders forced nonessential workplaces to close.
"I wish that I could tell you when we're going to turn the corner, when you'll be able to go back to work, to school or to church or when any of us will be able to get back to a normal life again," Hogan said. "Unfortunately. I'm not able to do that."
Prior to a news conference, Hogan signed emergency telehealth legislation to let medical providers contact patients by phone, video and email. Earlier this week, he declared disability support workers as essential employees, allowing them to keep working under the terms of his earlier orders.
"I want to thank the overwhelming majority of Marylanders who have taken this situation seriously, who have remained at home and avoided crows and practiced this much needed social distance," Hogan said.
Hogan acknowledged that Sunday is Palm Sunday and that next Wednesday is the start of Passover.
"In the Christian faith, we use this time to reflect on the sacrifice of one for the redemption of many," Hogan said. "Regardless of your own faith or beliefs, each and every one of us is now asked to make sacrifices that may very well save the lives of others."
He called for Marylanders to join at noon Sunday in a moment of prayer of reflection for those who have died from or who are suffering from the coronavirus, as well as health care workers and first responders.
Maryland has seen clusters of the virus in nursing homes and retirement communities, most notably an outbreak in Mount Airy that has sickened 77 residents and 18 employees. Five residents have died. Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips said the state is ordering all senior living facilities to require all employees who come in contact with residents to wear masks. The recommendation is based on newer evidence on how contagious the virus can be from an asymptomatic individual.
Every nursing home that suspects an outbreak must use the state lab, which provides a faster result than a private lab, Phillips said.
As federal officials reconsider whether all people should wear masks, Phillips was asked about whether the state-level guidance will change. While N95 respirators should be reserved for front-line healthcare workers, cloth masks should do fine for those who want to wear one, Phillips said.
Phillips said state officials are "scouring this state" for ventilators. This includes repurposing ventilators used for anesthesia at ambulatory surgery centers and ones used in colleges and ambulances.
Robert L. Green, secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, stressed the measures being taken in light of the 17 inmates, correctional officers and other personnel who have tested positive for the virus.
He said inmates are at work making gowns, face shields, masks and, as of Friday, hand sanitizer.
"The individuals that are involved in these programs are pleased to be doing this work," Green said.
Last week, state Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon ordered the shutdown of childcare services except those serving essential personnel. She said officials are working to provide financial relief to programs that have had to close and urged facilities to continue to honor their agreements with parents once they reopen.
"We strongly encourage childcare facilities to be flexible in enforcing contract provisions against families while the childcare facility is closed due to the state of emergency," Salmon said.
April 04, 2020 at 6:10 am, Bob said:
Government gives people billions including unemployment payments greater than their earnings and then tells them they don’t need to use the money on their regular bills but can spend it on more fun things. Presumably folks will get more billions in a few months to pay their arrears on mortgages, rent, car payments and all those other pesky debts to the man.
April 04, 2020 at 6:33 am, Mark said:
> Yea, the lazy bums (who lost their jobs through NO FAULT of their own) will now go to the movies, Disneyland, go jet skiing at Deep Creek, etc etc. Oh, wait, that’s right- everything is closed!! clown
April 04, 2020 at 3:17 pm, Bob said:
> As usual, you are being daft. I don’t suspect the folks fond of Disneyland and DCL will much benefit from all this. I was referring to those who might shop locally for goods still available such as smack and crack.
April 04, 2020 at 1:24 pm, Ken said:
> Bob, maybe this hasn’t occurred to you but people who get laid off lose their employer provided insurance. That doesn’t leave them a lot of choices. COBRA would cost a single person more than the $600/month that got added to unemployment and the other options aren’t free either.
It should also be pointed out that those who are not able to get unemployment should collect a generous payment where a family of four might get $3,400. If this family lives in Annapolis, that’s going to last them a month – and our Congress seems likely to leave them hanging.
That’s why this action has been taken.
April 05, 2020 at 9:10 am, Mark said:
ril 05, 2020 at 9:08 am, Mark said:
Found on Facebook: (name deleted) “Someone from the local paper (Cumberland Times News) PM’d me after I shared a petition from an American Woodmark employee that asks for their 500 employee cabinet business be closed due to the virus (it closed for a day until Del. Mike McKay intervened with Gov. Hogan to get it re-opened) The workers are worried because they work in large groups in confined spaces and also fear spreading the virus to family members, some of whom have serious health issues of their own. Times News asked if I could direct them to the worker for an interview, but as I suspected the worker msg me they can’t risk coming forward as they will probably be fired. I let the Times know that with this msg. :”I recieved a msg from the person that started the petition and they state that they do work at American Woodmark, but as I suspected, they fear they will be fired if they come forward. I wish you would do a story on this anyway and at least ask Woodmark to justify WHY they feel they can endanger their workers AND the public at large. Though I understand the Times News Editors are also often too chickenshit to offend a local business or local big shot. Guess more people will just have to get sick (& maybe die) because of local b.s. politics. A shame.”