LIFESTYLE
OC Today
MEALS FOR CHILDREN
Volunteers come together to provide food and other items to Worcester Co. students – Page 24
WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
MARCH 27, 2020
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
FREE
Md. schools closed 4 more weeks State plan being developed for continuation of learning opportunities for students By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (March 27, 2020) Maryland public schools, including those in Worcester County, will remained closed for an-
other four weeks, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced on Wednesday. During a COVID-19 update meeting held by Gov. Larry Hogan, Salmon declared schools will remain closed until Friday, April 24, and daycare options would remain open for families with essential worker employees who require the service.
“We do not make this decision lightly, however, with the challenges our state and our country, we have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our school communities, and the communities at large,” Salmon said. “I’m working in concert with all local school system superintendents, including multiple calls per week, in order to provide the continu-
ity of learning to all of our students in every jurisdiction across the state of Maryland during this time.” Salmon also said the department is working on providing education services during the extended closures. “We are already working very closely with every school system to address issues affecting their ability See CONTINUITY Page 4
Meehan explains basis for closures Mayor: drastic action only way to ensure social distancing
ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Atlantic General Hospital’s walk-in clinic on 10th Street in Ocean City has been repurposed as Worcester County’s main coronavirus testing site.
AGH opens testing site By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (March 27, 2020) As of Thursday morning, Maryland had confirmed 580 confirmed cases of COVID-19, or coronavirus. Most of the cases are oc-
800-641-0011
curring in metro and suburban counties, with 164 of them in Montgomery County, 101 in Prince George’s, 81 in Baltimore County, 72 in Baltimore City, 49 in Howard, 41 in Anne Arundel, 14 in Frederick, 10
in Charles, nine in Harford, seven in Calvert, seven in Carroll, five in Wicomico, four in Cecil, four in St. Mary’s, three in Garrett, two in Washington and two in Worcester. See AGH Page 6
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (March 27, 2020) The COVID-19 pandemic is not a joke, it is not a hoax and it is not just another flu — it is a real and dangerous virus that is projected to kill hundreds, if not thousands of Marylanders if it is not quickly contained. That is why Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and the City Council chose to make the difficult decision on Sunday to close the resort’s beach and Boardwalk to the public, and restrict access on them to residents, until April 15. “We had observed large numbers of people on the Boardwalk, and pockets of crowds on the beach, throughout the last couple of weeks,” Meehan said. “In the best interest of public safety for, not just our residents, but for those out on the Boardwalk exposing them-
selves during a time when we’re encouraging social distancing, that the only way to avoid that [expoRick Meehan sure] would be to take that drastic measure and close our beach and Boardwalk.” Effective Sunday, March 22, at 5 p.m., the Boardwalk and beach, including beach access points, were closed to all nonresidents until April 15. Residents are allowed to walk their dogs and exercise on the beach and Boardwalk, but are restricted to groups of two adults and children. Exercises, such as a surfing, are also permitted. Boardwalk restaurants may remain open, but must do carry out services, only. Although the mayor holds authority to issue emergency declarations sans a City Council vote, he took the matter to the council and reSee MAYOR Page 2
C ousel Group Caro Be S Safe f - Be W Well! ll!
S yOCMD.com Sta