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New MAS Web Site is live!Go to marylandacupuncturesociety.org
Message from MAS President Greetings Colleagues, I realize these are uncertain times and the conditions are changing rapidly. The Maryland Acupuncture Society is not authorized to advise on the closure of your practice. According to the definition of essential services, our services are defined as essential. Please review the resources provided below and make the best decision for your practice. We want you to be safe and protect others so review and follow the Federal and State guidelines regarding COVID-19. Maryland Governor Hogan has issued the following order: All non-essential businesses were ordered closed by 5PM today, March 23, 2020. https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business(Detailed information about closures and relief benefits) Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland relating to various health care matters https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Executive-Order-Health-Care-Matters.pdf Executive Order https://governor.maryland.gov/category/executive-orders/ Interpretation of the Executive Order https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/documents/OLC%20Interpretive%20Guidance%20COVID19-2.pdf The State of Maryland follows the Federal government definition of essential services: Register for MD Responds: (MD is seeking health providers with medical training and experience in triage) https://mdr.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Home.aspx This link includes a comprehensive list of actions the governor announced during his press conference at Government House: Governor Hogan has issued an omnibus health care order that puts into place the following: STANDING UP AN ADDITIONAL 6,000 BEDS: Governor Hogan has directed the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to work with providers to reopen closed hospital facilities across the state and take other measures necessary to immediately increase our capacity by an additional 6,000 beds. ACTIVATION OF MARYLAND RESPONDS MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS: At the governor’s direction, the Secretary of Health has activated the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, a trained and dedicated force of 5,000 volunteers from across the state. RESOURCE CONTROL: The Secretary of Health is ordered to establish and implement appropriate policies and procedures for receiving, stockpiling, rationing, and distributing all assets received by the State of Maryland from the Strategic National Stockpile and all assets needed for COVID-19 testing. INTERSTATE RECIPROCITY FOR HEALTH CARE LICENSES: Under the order, any person who holds a valid, unexpired license as a health care practitioner that is issued by another state may, at a health care facility in Maryland, engage in the activities authorized under that license. INACTIVE PRACTITIONERS: Any inactive practitioner may, at a health care facility in Maryland, engage in activities that would have been authorized under his/her inactive license without first reinstating his/her inactive license. ELECTIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURES: The Secretary of Health is authorized and ordered to take actions to control, restrict, and regulate the use of health care facilities for the performance of elective medical procedures, as necessary to respond to the catastrophic health emergency. Relief for Residents and Families PROHIBITION 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. Read the governor’s emergency order. PROHIBITION ON EVICTIONS: Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order that prohibits Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was the result of COVID-19—for example, because of lost or reduced unemployment, or needing to care for a school-aged child—or because they are diagnosed with, or under investigation for, COVID-19. Read the governor’s emergency order. EXPANSION OF AVAILABLE SCHOOL MEALS: State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced that the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) applied for a federal waiver and beginning today, has the capability to provide three meals a day, and a snack, to students impacted by the statewide closure of schools. MSDE has 138 meal distribution centers across the state, which can be found at mdsummerschools.org. Activation of Additional Personnel NATIONAL GUARD: After issuing an executive order last week directing the National Guard to move to a higher state of readiness, the governor announced the activation of two Area Support Medical Companies in order to carry out any necessary emergency functions and critical areas of need in the coming weeks. At the direction of Major General Timothy Gowen, as of Monday, 1,000 Maryland National Guard soldiers and airmen are fully activated, and another 1,200 guardsmen are currently in a state of enhanced readiness. MOBILE FIELD FORCE: At the direction of Colonel Jerry Jones, the Maryland State Police has activated its Mobile Field Force, which is composed of 250 Maryland State Troopers who are ready to be deployed across the state. Resources for Businesses. The Maryland Departments of Commerce and Labor have compiled resources to help businesses whose daily operations are affected during the state of emergency. Members of the business community are encouraged to reach out with their questions by sending a message to Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. State of Emergency. The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. The State of Maryland is continuing to operate under a state of emergency, and all levels of government are taking a comprehensive, collaborative approach to keep Marylanders safe. The list of ongoing state actions is available at governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus. For health resources regarding COVID-19, including case counts and clinician guidance, Marylanders should visit coronavirus.maryland.gov. Other sources Baltimore Sun publishes list of non-essential and essential services in Maryland: Resources for Business and Individual Relief Maryland Small Business Relief – Department of Commerce https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs Maryland Layoff Aversion – Department of Labor http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/covidlafund.shtml Maryland Disaster Business Funding https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance Maryland Small Business Portal https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus Small Business Majority https://smallbusinessmajority.org/covid-19-daily-updates-for-small-businesses Special Open Enrollment for Maryland Health Connections https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/coronavirus-sep/ 211 Maryland Assistance http://www.211.org/services/covid19 Help with your Energy Bill https://www.hud.gov/states/maryland/renting/energyprgms Information about US Congress Emergency Coronavirus Bill Extension for Maryland Tax Filing https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MDCOMP-28094ba?wgt_ref=MDCOMP_WIDGET_C7 Thank you. Dr. Denise C. Tsyon, DOM, L.AC, ADS MAS President |
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