New MoCo Executive Order Coming Thursday covering child care, alcohol sales, escape rooms, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any intel on why the child care center numbers? Is that a reduction? Was it up to full capacity?

So, the county got caught in a lie.

The Maryland State Department of Education regulates child care. Until early October, MSDE limited child care centers to 15 people in a room. But in October they removed that restriction, allowing child care centers to go back to full capacity.

Shortly thereafter, Montgomery County announced that they would be sticking to the 15 person limit. However, there was nothing in any executive or health order that gave that the force of law. Hence this new executive order.

But if MSDE regulates childcare centers, how can MoCo issue an executive order that has any force at all? Can’t MSDE just say “nope, sorry, centers follow us.”

The same way Montgomery County was able to shut down businesses and impose various kinds of other restrictions: they have special public health authorities to combat the pandemic. Child care is just another business.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see this anywhere on MoCo’s website. Anyone can point me to the link for the announcement or pending meeting on 11/5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any intel on why the child care center numbers? Is that a reduction? Was it up to full capacity?

So, the county got caught in a lie.

The Maryland State Department of Education regulates child care. Until early October, MSDE limited child care centers to 15 people in a room. But in October they removed that restriction, allowing child care centers to go back to full capacity.

Shortly thereafter, Montgomery County announced that they would be sticking to the 15 person limit. However, there was nothing in any executive or health order that gave that the force of law. Hence this new executive order.

But if MSDE regulates childcare centers, how can MoCo issue an executive order that has any force at all? Can’t MSDE just say “nope, sorry, centers follow us.”

The same way Montgomery County was able to shut down businesses and impose various kinds of other restrictions: they have special public health authorities to combat the pandemic. Child care is just another business.

Not really. MSDE regulates childcare centers, even during a pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does 50 percent mean? Like 50% building capacity? Am I screwed with my kid in preschool with 14 kids in her class and my infant in daycare with 2 other babies?!

I have no idea. My 4 year old is in a class with 14 kids and a provider, per MSDE COVID regulations. If we lose our spot, I have no clue what we’ll do. I can’t work from home and DH is in constant meetings all day. I know a lot of other people are in tough spots, so I’m not saying we’re unique by any means. We have no local family.

Sometimes I really hate Elrich and Gayles even more than I usually hate them.

[Anonymous]

I hate all the drinkers who want the bars and restaurants open as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does 50 percent mean? Like 50% building capacity? Am I screwed with my kid in preschool with 14 kids in her class and my infant in daycare with 2 other babies?!

I'm not sure. Montgomery County hasn't released the proposed executive order yet, so I don't know if it will provide any more details. But, the past executive orders have often glossed over important details, so I doubt this one will address it.

It seems like there are two natural ways to interpret it, based on either: 1) class size, or 2) classroom size.

In terms of class size, COMAR 13A.16.08 sets maximum group sizes at 20 kids for ages 3-4, and 30 kids for ages 5+. If your preschooler is in a age 3-4 room, then 50% capacity would be 10, if they're going off of maximum group size.

In terms of classroom size, COMAR 13A.16.05 requires 35 square feet of usable floor space per child (it doesn't count things like bathrooms, areas for adults, and immovable furniture in that area). If Montgomery County plans to go off of floor space, then a classroom *might* have enough space for 14 kids, but it's going to have to be a fair bit bigger than ordinarily required by Maryland regulations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any intel on why the child care center numbers? Is that a reduction? Was it up to full capacity?

So, the county got caught in a lie.

The Maryland State Department of Education regulates child care. Until early October, MSDE limited child care centers to 15 people in a room. But in October they removed that restriction, allowing child care centers to go back to full capacity.

Shortly thereafter, Montgomery County announced that they would be sticking to the 15 person limit. However, there was nothing in any executive or health order that gave that the force of law. Hence this new executive order.

But if MSDE regulates childcare centers, how can MoCo issue an executive order that has any force at all? Can’t MSDE just say “nope, sorry, centers follow us.”

The same way Montgomery County was able to shut down businesses and impose various kinds of other restrictions: they have special public health authorities to combat the pandemic. Child care is just another business.

Not really. MSDE regulates childcare centers, even during a pandemic.

MSDE licenses the providers, but I very strongly suspect the public health laws provide sufficiently broad authority to allow them to place their own rules on daycares in the county. It wouldn't jeopardize their licenses, but the county could still shut them down during the pandemic or levy fines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see this anywhere on MoCo’s website. Anyone can point me to the link for the announcement or pending meeting on 11/5.

I don't think it is on the website yet, but the county sent out an email blast through GovDelivery:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDMONTGOMERY/bulletins/2a9c657?reqfrom=share

[Anonymous]

How would this impact the school-aged kids who are getting remote learning support or full-on classes at some of these centers? My kid’s center got licensed to provide 1st and 2nd grade, both in the form of remote learning support for MCPS DL and in-person classes.

[Anonymous]

Would this affect in-home daycares at all, or just those with a center designation?

[Anonymous]

https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=28044&Dept=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would this affect in-home daycares at all, or just those with a center designation?

Probably every type of childcare situation.

[Anonymous]

If you would like to write to the council here are their emails
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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does 50 percent mean? Like 50% building capacity? Am I screwed with my kid in preschool with 14 kids in her class and my infant in daycare with 2 other babies?!

I have no idea. My 4 year old is in a class with 14 kids and a provider, per MSDE COVID regulations. If we lose our spot, I have no clue what we’ll do. I can’t work from home and DH is in constant meetings all day. I know a lot of other people are in tough spots, so I’m not saying we’re unique by any means. We have no local family.

Sometimes I really hate Elrich and Gayles even more than I usually hate them.

They are the worst. I mean, how powerful is the escape room lobby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does 50 percent mean? Like 50% building capacity? Am I screwed with my kid in preschool with 14 kids in her class and my infant in daycare with 2 other babies?!

I have no idea. My 4 year old is in a class with 14 kids and a provider, per MSDE COVID regulations. If we lose our spot, I have no clue what we’ll do. I can’t work from home and DH is in constant meetings all day. I know a lot of other people are in tough spots, so I’m not saying we’re unique by any means. We have no local family.

Sometimes I really hate Elrich and Gayles even more than I usually hate them.

They are the worst. I mean, how powerful is the escape room lobby?

Seriously. Not to mention nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms, etc.