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"We need OMB to be the fiscal hawk, and not sugarcoat things" says @hansriemer "It seems to me we've got to take action immediately to stop the bleeding and be better prepared" for whatever 2021 (FY2022) holds.
Council President @tomhucker tells council members they are running behind, will hear from Health Officer Travis Gayles (scheduled for 10:45)
Council member @RicePolitics mentions rising home prices, good for sellers, but of course, rough on potential buyers, especially those who could be squeezed out of market entirely by high prices and low inventory.
"The worst is yet to come. And I say that as an eternal optimist" says @albornoz_gabe (Anyone who knows him, knows he tends to be sunny by nature) but he says there's a need for "tremendous fiscal restraint."
Council member @willjawando says the county's in the "unenviable position" of trying to exercise fiscal restraint while meeting increased needs in community as small businesses, individuals and families work to hang on in a pandemic. Urges using reserves.
Council member @MC_Council_Katz --a former business owner for decades in the county, asks about how many people who got unemployment had taxes withheld, vs those who did not, and will face taxes when they come due.
Question from @MC_Council_Katz about the possible impact of people leaving the county to establish homes in other jurisdictions.
Discussion of budget is wrapping up...update on #covid19 now
Cases per 100,000 up into the 40's now, highest ever recorded says Dr. Travis Gayles, County Health Officer.
Says there has been criticism of causing "panic" by reporting out numbers, Gayles says just putting information out there.
Gayles says there have been concerns about test turnaround time, says that's a product of increased demand for testing pre-and post-Thanksgiving holiday
Gayles says reports of wait times for test results would be a week old---so if they were to report that, you'd be seeing LAST week's, not THIS week's results.
Data suggests "significant protection" as early as 10 days after the first dose of the vaccine "with minimal side effects"
Emphasizes there is already a determined protocol for who gets vaccines when. First group: health care workers and long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities) 5-6 million doses x the country says Gayles. 150K to state of MD says Gayles
Says Moderna vaccine could be available (again in limited capacity) days before Christmas. Emphasizes decisions on WHO gets vaccines WHEN is determined at fed/state level.
MOCO Dr. Stoddard says county has needed supply of #PPE but notes concerns on hospital/care facility nursing. Mentions quotes of cost of staffing as high as $200 an hour due to demand.
Q: @MC_Council_Katz asks about restrictions on travel and what current policies are. Stoddard says those are most effective when you have areas of high vs low transmission, but Stoddard says now..."you've passed the point of efficacy" though still suggests no travel.
Now @RicePolitics asks about what about safe school openings? Notes that benchmarks to contain #covid19 haven't been met--"folks are listening to slogans rather than science" says Rice.
Gayles says there aren't just two sides to the issue, there are many--and "there is not consensus on this issue" and guidance is based on best info/research available at any given time.
What about bars open vs schools, refers back to Dr. Fauci, noting that opening schools requires a lower level of community transmission "to be able to feel comfortable and confident" to reopen schools.
Council member @RicePolitics asks about possible vaccinations for teachers, etc in terms of perhaps opening schools.
CM @nancy_navarro asks for a bit more info on accessing vaccinations and how residents can go online for updates.
Gayles references National Academy of Medicine, @MDHealthDept and upcoming info from @US_FDA
Gayles again says that protocols for vaccinations come NOT from the county, but fed/state
Here's a look at some of that info on #vaccines for #covid19 from @MDHealthDept : https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/faqs/#faqVP
Several @MoCoCouncilMD members suggest, given the success of getting #census responses in the county, could the county build a #vaccination program modeled on that.
Gayles says there's an effort to staff and support efforts, but can't offer details (still in the works)
More contract contact tracers have been brought in to free up other health care workers, says Gayles.
CM @EvanMGlass says info on #covid19 stats is not "hyperbolic--these are facts"
