COVID-19 update from Senator Pamela Beidle - March 26th

Covid-19 Update - March 26th

While we are all at home practicing social distancing, I have consolidated some helpful links and information below to help you find resources available during these challenging times. 

COVID-19

Remember if you feel you might have COVID-19; call your health-care provider and they can help determine the best course of action for you and your loved ones.

Maryland’s Coronavirus Website: http://coronavirus.maryland.gov

This site is a one-stop shop for COVID-19 info - https://www.aacounty.org/coronavirus/  or 410-222-7256

Information on Maryland’s senior call-check program to help provide assistance to seniors that may need it. https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx   

Meals

For meal resources - https://www.aacounty.org/coronavirus/food/index.html 

Anne Arundel County Food Bank - https://aafoodbank.org/  

Maryland Food Bank - https://mdfoodbank.org/  

Student Meal Location Finder: https://gis.aacounty.org/mapping/index.html?viewer=covid19 

AA County Police Department Non-Emergency Number: (410) 222-8050 

Taxes

Information about changes to tax filing deadlines. -

http://marylandtaxes.com/media/2020/Due_Dates_Website_Cover.pdf

Business Information

Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation: https://www.aaedc.org 

Maryland Department of Commerce: https://commerce.maryland.gov 

Maryland Department of Labor: 

http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/covidlafund.shtml

If you need to contact my office for a constituent or legislative issue, my staff will be teleworking and available by email at pamela.beidle@senate.state.md.us. We will also be monitoring the office voicemail periodically so if you cannot email us, you can call the office at 410-841-3593 and leave a voicemail and we will respond as soon as possible.  

Please stay safe and we will get through this together, 

Pamela Beidle

14 Apps and Tools to Stave Off Cabin Fever

03/29/2020 – WIRED

David Nielo

As more and more counties and states impose shelter-in-place restrictions while the new coronavirus spreads, everyone's suddenly spending much more time at home. While you might be glad to have escaped the grind of the daily commute for a while, staying indoors for the majority of the day comes with its own set of challenges. Your smartphone can help.

With the right choice of apps, you can forget you're in such a confined space, get some exercise, and let your mind roam free. From socializing to exercise to checking up on the news, these are the apps you need. If you want more of a gaming distraction, check out these mobile offerings and console titles that will help get you through. And don't forget to stock up on the right gear and supplies.

Can’t go to the doctor? You already own a powerful medical device

03/27/2020 – Fast Company

Stav Dimitropoulos

During the coronavirus pandemic, our smartphones have become a lifeline, keeping us connected, informed, sane, employed, and socially distant. But they are also emerging as necessary tools to keep us safe and healthy. Smartphones’ cameras and sensors are increasingly turning them into fast, accurate, and low-cost devices for medical diagnosis—without their users ever needing to leave home.

So far, the novel coronavirus has killed thousands of people worldwide and infected hundreds of thousands more. Health experts are straightforward: Stay home or you risk contracting and spreading the disease. Particularly the high-at-risk among us, such as the elderly, diabetics, and immunosuppressed people, must remain home. At the same time, these vulnerable populations still have health needs—and increasingly they can turn to their smartphones to monitor symptoms and even administer tests.

An official World Health Organization COVID-19 app is coming soon

03/27/2020 – Fast Company

Michael Grothaus

One of the most dangerous things about the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is the misinformation spreading about it. While tech giants such as Apple, Facebook, Google, and Twitter have taken steps to stem COVID-19 misinformation on their platforms, it’s still incredibly easy to stumble upon misleading or incorrect information about the disease while we’re thumbing away at our smartphones trying to pass the time in self-isolation.

But the World Health Organization will soon be launching an app that makes finding factual and up-to-date information about COVID-19 a breeze, reports 9to5Google. The app will reportedly be called WHO MyHealth and is scheduled to be released for iOS and Android as early as Monday, March 30.

Apple creates coronavirus screening app, website in partnership with CDC and White House

03/27/2020 – CNET

Carrie Mihalcik

Apple on Friday released a COVID-19 website and app with a screening tool and other information about the coronavirus outbreak. Apple said the app and site are meant to "make it easy for people across the country to get trusted information and guidance at a time when the US is feeling the heavy burden of COVID-19."

They were developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the White House coronavirus task force and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The COVID-19 app and website include a screening tool that asks users to answer a series of questions around risk factors, recent exposure and symptoms, Apple said in a release. Based on their responses, they'll receive CDC recommendations on next steps, including "guidance on social distancing and self-isolating, how to closely monitor symptoms, whether or not a test is recommended at this time, and when to contact a medical provider."