Worcester County Safe Station Implements Warmline

If you (or someone you know) are seeking support related to the use of a substance, you DO NOT need to leave home to get help. Our Safe Station Program within the Worcester County Health Department implemented a warmline which is intended to act as phone support for individuals struggling and need a person to listen. While options are reduced, sometimes it helps to just have someone on the other end who has been there. We will do our best to link you with services once they return to the new normal. Keep reading for hours of operation and the contact information.

1 (844) ONE-PEER or 1 (844) 663-7337 Hours: Mon-Sat  10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Worcester County Peer Support Warmline is hosted through the Worcester County Health Department.
This line is for individuals who have non-urgent substance misuse needs in Worcester County. The warm line
is maintained by Peer Recovery Specialists who are able to provide Peer Support services over the phone.

Time Machine Preview

This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye..

1918  ..  Schools, churches, theaters and other crowd-drawing places are closed as "Spanish Influenza" grips the nation and Worcester County.

1852  ..  A visitor to Snow Hill writes his observations of the town and Worcester County.

2006  ..  The National League Of Cities announces Pocomoke City is a finalist for its 2006 Award For Municipal Excellence.

1962  ..  President Kennedy has increased aid for the Eastern Shore coast for storm damage from the March coastal storm. 

Maryland Responders

Want to Volunteer as a Maryland Responder?

 Empty

Who are Maryland Responders?

Maryland Responders are dedicated volunteers who stand ready to respond to the public health needs of our community. Whether it’s responding to a natural disaster or helping community members prepare for flu season, Maryland Responders are Ready for Anything. Maryland Responders include medical and public health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians and epidemiologists. Many other non-medical community members also support the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, such as interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and legal advisors. Everyone has a role in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies! 

What do Maryland Responders do?

Maryland Responders may deliver a variety of necessary public health services during a crisis, such as providing care directly to individuals seeking medical or mental health attention at disaster relief shelters. Volunteers may also serve a vital role by assisting their communities with ongoing public health needs (e.g., immunizations, screenings, health and nutrition education, volunteering in community health centers and local hospitals). For more information, click HERE to view our Quarterly Newsletters and Responder Spotlight Articles.

Membership is open to anyone over 18 years of age who is interested in promoting public health and assisting in the event of an emergency. Whether you are an actively licensed health care professional, student, retired health professional or someone with an interest in volunteering during emergencies, you are encouraged to register. Because many health personnel will already be committed to a role during an emergency, there is a need to recruit non-medical personnel who can assist health professionals during emergency responses. 

Learn more or register:

. https://mdresponds.health.maryland.gov/

Maryland childcare closing.

(WBOC)

MARYLAND - Starting Friday March 27th, all child care programs are closing as part of a statewide emergency,
according to the Maryland State Department of Education. Only designated essential personnel will have access to child care services established by the state.

View more information:
http://www.wboc.com/story/41943719/maryland-child-care-programs-close-in-response-to-coronavirus

MD PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH APRIL 24TH

View WBOC article:

http://www.wboc.com/story/41937754/md-public-schools-to-remain-closed-through-april-24

Treat yourself to a break from the news of the day and enjoy this!

It's all made of matchsticks and is just one of many fabulous works of matchstick art demonstrating one man's wonderful talent.

View video:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/HyuE1XnYO0I

"This is a hefty virus"

(WESR/Shore Daily News)

By Ted Shockley

One of the two Eastern Shore (Virginia) men who tested positive for Covid-19 encouraged others to heed warnings in an interview Tuesday night, saying, “This is a hefty virus.”

“People do need to listen to what is being said,” said Russell Vreeland, who lives in Craddockville and allowed himself to be identified in this report.

“I’m not sure what I can tell people that will ease fears,” said Vreeland, who feels he came into contact with the coronavirus in the Charlotte, N.C., airport several weeks ago.

“A person sat down behind us and started hacking and coughing like crazy,” he said, adding, “Despite everything we did maintaining our ‘social distancing,’ one person kind of messed it up.”

He started a cough March 13 and a week later developed a fever that has persisted since. A person with whom Vreeland was traveling also tested postive but could not be reached by phone Tuesday night.

The 69-year-old Vreeland, who holds a Ph.D. in microbial physiology and biochemistry, credited the Eastern Shore Health Department and area medical professionals for their response.

“It’s obivious from my experience that they not only prepared for this, they practiced it,” said Vreeland. 

“These people are first rate. You can’t beat them. They did their job and they love their job.”

He said his doctor’s office and the health department have been in contact with him daily. His wife has not contracted the virus. 

He said he isolated himself after starting the cough and the health department “within a few hours identified all 22 people I was in contact with.” 

All have been quarantined. “They even identified a person I had been in contact with that I didn’t even remember, because it was only for five mintues.”

Virginia has reported more than 300 COVID-19 cases. There have been seven deaths linked to the illness.

His advice to the Eastern Shore: “This would not be a time of complacency. Depend on your health department.”  

HOW TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT IN MARYLAND

View WBOC article:
http://www.wboc.com/story/41930040/how-to-file-for-unemployment-in-maryland

CLOSURE OF NON-ESSENTIAL MD BUSINESSES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday he was ordering closed all non-essential businesses in the state, including retail stores that had been allowed to remain open.

Hogan said the additional step was necessary to “slow the spread of COVID-19 in Maryland.” The order, which takes effect at 5 p.m. Monday, does not include essential or critical industries as defined by the federal government: health care, law enforcement, emergency workers, food, energy, water, transportation, public works, communications, government, critical manufacturing, financial services, chemicals and defense. Liquor stores are exempted from the order. Daycare centers are not required to close.

Big box stores will remain open, but Hogan said he has asked local law enforcement to help those retailers deal with crowd control.

VIEW MORE INFO:

https://www.cityofpocomoke.com/news/maryland-gov-hogan-announces-closure-non-essential-businesses-due-coronavirus-pandemic

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA WILL REMAIN CLOSED

(WESR/Shore Daily News)

Governor Ralph Northam has announced that Virginia’s public schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

Northam says school division leaders will decide how they’ll educate their students through end of the school year.

A Sprinkle Of Humor..

Time Machine: 1885, 2004, 1943, 1955.

February, 1885

 The Baltimore Sun

April, 2004

Daily Times (Salisbury)

January, 1943

The News Journal (Wilmington)

Footnote: A new elementary school for grades one through three was constructed at 4th and Walnut Streets in the late 1940's.

ACROSS THE USA

August, 1955

The Edwardsville Intelligencer, (Illinois)

1958  ..  

Most radios were 'AM' and these were some of the popular singers of the day-

1975  ..  Big news stories-

The Time Machine is a weekly feature I've enjoyed researching and compiling on The Pocomoke Public Eye since 2011.  I have fond memories of growing up in Pocomoke City and welcome reader contributions we can share about things you've read, remember, or were told relating to our Pocomoke/Eastern shore area...a sentence, a paragraph, or more all fine. Just email it.

SECOND CASE OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED IN WORCESTER COUNTY

(Snow Hill, MD)- The Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) confirmed the second positive test for a case of COVID-19 in Worcester County on March 21, 2020. The patient is a female in her 20s who lives in Worcester County and is recovering at home. This case is a close household contact of the first positive COVID-19 case in the county, reported earlier this week, and has been in quarantine since known exposure. Worcester County Health Department is conducting a contact investigation of this second case and appropriate close contacts will have arrangements made for testing if indicated.  

If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) contact your primary care doctor for further screening to determine if you should be tested. Unless you are suffering a medical emergency, please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or other medical facility. You should speak with your healthcare provider, who can alert an emergency room so that its staff is ready with proper protective gear. To protect yourselves and others, wash your hands often, cover cough/sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces, and stay home if sick. For more information on Coronavirus and prevention tips, visit WorcesterHealth.org or call 410-632-1100 option #8 to connect to our call center (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm). For COVID-19 information in the State of Maryland, please dial 2-1-1.

SECOND COVID-19 CASE ON EASTERN SHORE OF VA.

(WESR/Shore Daily News)

The Eastern Shore Health District announced that another resident of the Eastern Shore (of Virginia) has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This case, a male in his 60s, marks the second known case in the Eastern Shore Health District (Virginia). He was a travel companion of the first identified case. The Eastern Shore Health District is currently conducting a thorough investigation of the case and any potential exposures.

“We cannot emphasize enough the importance of social distancing.  As the number of cases continues to grow so will the number of close contacts who may have been exposed to the virus,” said Eastern Shore Health District Director Dr. Richard Williams. The health department continues to conduct surveillance and investigation of any future potential cases. In order to control COVID-19, it is very important for all to follow the health department recommendations.

MD MVA CLOSING INFO

SOMERSET COUNTY CONFIRMS 1ST POSITIVE COVID 19 CASE

(March 21, 2020, Westover, MD) The Somerset County Health Department has received notification that a Somerset County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first confirmed case in Somerset County.

The woman is in her 60s. She is in good condition and is isolating at home. The Somerset County Health Department with the help of the Maryland Department of Health is conducting a contact investigation and appropriate close contacts will have arrangements made for testing if indicated. If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) contact your primary care doctor for further screening to determine if you should be tested. Unless you are suffering a medical emergency, please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or other medical facility. You should speak with your healthcare provider, who can alert an emergency room so that its staff is ready with proper protective gear. 

If you have any questions you can call 443.614.6708.  During regular business hours call 443.523.1700.  We cannot share any additional details about confirmed cases, but staff can help answer residents’ questions.

The health department strongly urges the public to take all possible precautions to help prevent the spread of this virus. Take these everyday steps to help protect yourself and the community:

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve or your elbow
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

-(more)-

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• If you are sick, stay home and self isolate, except when seeking medical care
• Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. Stay home unless absolutely necessary.

For information on COVID-19, visit the Maryland Department of Health at www.coronavirus.maryland.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Local updates will be shared through the Somerset County Health Department’s website at www.somersethealth.org or through social media on Facebook (@somersethealth), Instagram (Somersethealthmd) or Twitter (@somersethdmd).

Does This Sound Familiar??

A headline from October, 1918 in The Democratic Messenger of Snow Hill.  It was called "Spanish Influenza" and was widespread throughout the nation and here on the Eastern Shore.

Downtown Pocomoke News

Time Machine Preview

This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye..

1885  ..  A Baltimore newspaper article paints Pocomoke City as "A Wide Awake Town."

2004  ..  Pocomoke Middle School announces its Teacher Of The Year.

1943  ..  A funding plan for construction of a new elementary school in Pocomoke is approved by the Worcester County Board Of Education.

ACROSS THE USA
1955  ..  The minimum wage is going up to $1 an hour.

Worcester County Health Department Statement

News

Worcester County Health Department confirms first case of COVID-19 in Worcester County

The Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) confirmed the first positive test for a case of COVID-19 in Worcester County on March 19, 2020. The patient is a male in his 30s who lives in Worcester County and is recovering at home.

Worcester County Health Department is conducting a contact investigation and appropriate close contacts will have arrangements made for testing if indicated.  

 Worcester County Health Department opened a call center Thursday, March 12, 2020, for questions regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). Callers can reach the center during health department business hours (8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday) by dialing 410-632-1100 option #8. General information on COVID-19 is available 24/7 through Worcester Health’s Public Information Line (410-632-4321) and WorcesterHealth.org. 

 If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) contact your primary care doctor for further screening to determine if you should be tested. Unless you are suffering a medical emergency, please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or other medical facility. You should speak with your healthcare provider, who can alert an emergency room so that its staff is ready with proper protective gear. 

 “This is a time when we all need to work together. Please do your part in controlling the spread of this virus. Basic prevention strategies such as washing your hands often, covering your cough and sneeze, staying home when you are sick, and practicing social distancing can help us all keep one another safe and healthy during this time,” said Rebecca Jones, Health Officer. 

First COVID-19 case confirmed in Worcester County

View WMDT news article:
https://www.wmdt.com/2020/03/breaking-first-covid-19-case-confirmed-in-worcester-co/

Kidney Donor Needed

(March 19, 2020) Berlin resident Nick Morris, 74, is in dire need of a kidney transplant and is searching for an O-positive donor in the area.

Nick Morris

Morris has been a resident of Worcester County since 1975, and has been an English teacher, college instructor, long-time employee of the Alaska Stand, and lifeguard for the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Assateague Island National Seashore and Ocean Pines.

If your blood type is not a match for Morris, there is still a chance to help someone else through a process called the paired kidney exchange.

Potential donors can contact Morris by phone at 410-629-9068, or 410-641-2310, or via email at m22nicholas@aol.com .

READ FULL ARTICLE:

https://baysideoc.com/berlin-man-needs-kidney-donation/

Worcester County Library News

ALL WORCESTER COUNTY LIBRARY LOCATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 HEALTH CONCERNS.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  The library is fine free, so no fines will accrue during this period.  Any held items will remain waiting for our re-opening.

The Library’s Digital Branch is always available!

Using our Digital Resources

While our physical locations are closed, you can still use the Worcester County Library with a computer, tablet, eReader, or smartphone. Your Library account also gives you access to digital and streaming media for kids, teens, and adults.

http://www.worcesterlibrary.org/

Delmarva Discover Center News

Worcester County Health Department News

In response to COVID-19 all Worcester County Health Department buildings are closed to the public in accordance with Governor Hogan’s Executive Order regarding COVID-19 and social distancing. We are still working behind the scenes to protect our community

View information on postponed programs/events:

https://www.worcesterhealth.org/

Marva Dark For Now

ALL MOVIES AND EVENTS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE 

"Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet for Businesses"

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS IN POCOMOKE CITY AND WORCESTER COUNTY- In cooperation with the WORCESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, The City of Pocomoke is encouraging business owners to fill out an "Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet for Businesses"

View more info and link to worksheet:

https://www.cityofpocomoke.com/news/estimated-disaster-economic-injury-worksheet-businesssee-worksheet-attachment-posted-03172020

PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING THE MAYOR COUNCIL MEETING FOR MARCH 16, 2020 AT 6:30 PM

Monday, March 16, 2020 at 6:30PM,  Mayor & Council Meeting, IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Due to the restricted access of City Hall, Monday's Council Meeting will be live-streamed via the City's Facebook page.  For questions and comments during the meeting, please email the City Clerk at michelle@pocomokemd.gov. Every effort will be made to make participation run smoothly. Thank you for your understanding.                                                        

Worcester Rec & Park Programs Closed

The Worcester County Recreation Center is closed to the public through March 27 at minimum, and all programs and activities are cancelled.  This closing is an effort to help control the spread of the COVID-19.

All county parks will remain open for passive activities until further notice.

Registration for upcoming programs can be made by going online at www.WorcesterRecandParks.org or by mail. 

If you have any questions or need to speak with Recreation & Parks Staff, please call 410-632-2144, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or email recandparks@co.worcester.md.us

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Time Machine: 1942, 2004, 1969, 1919.

March, 1942

The Daily Mail(Hagerstown, Md.)

Second paragraph name correction. Should have read William G. Kerbin.

September, 2004

The News Journal (Wilmington)

Footnote: While the petition drive was successful a 2005 referendum resulted in the annexation effort being overturned. 


April, 1969

Evening Capital (Annapolis)

Footnote: The property encompassing the estate has been developed as the Glen Riddle new homes community in recent years.


July, 1919

 Democratic Messenger

                                                                  

1964  ..  The lights of Broadway are shining on "Hello Dolly," "Funny Girl," and "Fiddler On The Roof.".

1954  ..  NBC's "The Tonight Show" debuts on NBC with host Steve Allen.  

The Time Machine is a weekly feature I've enjoyed researching and compiling on The Pocomoke Public Eye since 2011.  I have fond memories of growing up in Pocomoke City and welcome reader contributions we can share about things you've read, remember, or were told relating to our Pocomoke/Eastern shore area...a sentence, a paragraph, or more all fine. Just email it.