Alsobrooks: “We Won’t Make A Decision That Hurts Prince Georgians”
Update: Alsobrooks Administration Extends Stay At Home Orders Thru June 1
County Executive Intros New Quarantine Facility And Renter’s Assistance Effort
By Raoul Dennis
SEPARATE WE REMAIN PRINCE GEORGE’S STRONG!
Updated: May 15, 2020 12:05 a.m.
County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks announced May 14 that Prince George’s will maintain stay at home orders over the weeks ahead. The following is an excerpt from her directives:
“Prince George's County will remain under a stay at home order through June 1st.
While you may be aware that other parts of our state are beginning to open; it is not safe for us to do so. Prince George's County has 10,400 confirmed cases and over 350 deaths. For the second week in a row, we are averaging 9 deaths per day from this virus, making it the leading cause of death among Prince Georgians. We must continue to do what's right and necessary to protect our collective health and well-being.
We all need to continue to stay at home, except for essential activities like going to the grocery store, picking up medication, checking on a family member, or other permitted outdoor activities like exercising or walking.”
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Several county and state leaders participated in a town hall session hosted by Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks May 7. It aired on CTV (Comcast channel 76, Verizon channel 42)
“We are averaging nine deaths per day,” Alsobrooks said of COVID-19 and the county. “That makes this virus the leading cause of death among Prince Georgians and we have only been tracking this virus for about two months. So we take this very seriously.”
The county executive reported that there are currently 8,840 confirmed positive cases in the county and 297 deaths as a result of COVID-19.
“We understand that everyone is eager to go outside and be together but at this point, it is not safe for us to resume activities the way that we have although we are working to get there.”
“It’s my duty to protect your life and your livelihood and we take that very seriously. So we are not going to make any decision that will imperil your life and your livelihood. We take very seriously our role and responsibility in reintegrating everyone safely back into our community,” Alsobrooks said.
The county’s top executive explained: “That means it’s important to continue to listen to the [medical community] regarding wearing our masks, limiting our travel to essential trips only and that we stay at home as much as possible.”
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS
Alsobrooks told listeners that the county is working to acquire more PPE, more test kits, increase contact tracing and hospital beds. Alsobrooks also announced a new quarantine facility.
“It will allow residents who cannot safely distance at home to be at that facility. It will be located at a hotel in the county,” she says.
The criteria: residents must first be tested at the health department location. If residents can’t safely quarantine at home, you will be eligible to stay at the facility. Residents living with persons 65 years or older with a chronic health condition will also be eligible. Support services will be provided for residents who stay at the facility. Potential residents don’t need to be COVID-19 positive to stay at the facility but they must be referred by a nurse who aided them through a screening process.
The county executive also introduced a rental assistance program to address anxiety and challenges many county residents face in paying their monthly bills.
“Applicants may [be] eligible for up to $1,800 per month depending on need,” Alsobrooks said. The program is designed to cover up to three months’ rental assistance and begins May 11.
Requirements for eligibility include demonstrating loss of income due to COVID 19 and that they are at risk of losing housing, show current income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as designed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Leaders believe some 600 families will be served by the program.
Alsobrooks urged interested residents to call 211 or 301 864-7161 to begin the application process.
“We are going to get to the other side of this together but we are going to do it by listening to the medical professionals,” she said.
“There is nothing like a Prince Georgian,” Alsobrooks said. “I am so proud to be your County Executive. I’m proud of the resilience and strength of our community. And because [of] that resilience and strength and because of our faith we are going to get to the other side of this together as a community and we are going to emerge stronger than ever.”
