MoCo daycare capacity reduction

[Anonymous]

So, if it passes, the executive order of reducing to 50% capacity will be effective this Thursday or within a week, is that what it means? My 4-5 year old room used to have 24 kids with 2 teachers, now 15 kids with 1 teacher. I think the 75% capacity or 50% capacity apply to the whole daycare center, not room by room. I think my kid maybe selected to be kicked out because we enrolled her back in summer when when center is allowed to be open at 75% capacity.......I want to cry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Covid cases among children are skyrocketing nation wide. Unless you are an essential worker who must report in person, keep your kids home!

Please show how this is relevant to the DC Metro area and how daycares have been implicated in outbreaks. It is unfair and unrealistic to ask parents of young children to continue to shoulder a burden that is far greater than our actual risk from Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And this will mean more caregivers furloughed, or working reduced hours. Only can MoCo find a way to screw professionals and the working class at the same time.

I lol’d. Yep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

But they are already more restrictive. This makes things even more restrictive and will result in families getting kicked out and childcares closing even though there have been a tiny percentage of cases in centers (wapo reported 38 out of 5700 in august). These are just cases not uncontrolled outbreaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

But they are already more restrictive. This makes things even more restrictive and will result in families getting kicked out and childcares closing even though there have been a tiny percentage of cases in centers (wapo reported 38 out of 5700 in august). These are just cases not uncontrolled outbreaks.

Which is why you need to be emailnig each of your council members (individually, not the council-wide email which goes to an admin assistant) now. Also write them on Twitter and Facebook. They do listen, especially if a lot of people write in.

If you can, use "diversity" and "equity" in your message. That will get them to really listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

The "phases" don't have the force of law. Ultimately the restrictions are whatever are in the set of executive and public health orders at a given time.

As of right now, Montgomery County's executive order merely says child care providers must follow state guidance. There are no other restrictions in any local orders. I realize Montgomery County has put out press releases telling county child care providers not to expand capacity, but those press releases aren't orders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the best way to give feedback against this?

Email [e-mail]

Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, if it passes, the executive order of reducing to 50% capacity will be effective this Thursday or within a week, is that what it means? My 4-5 year old room used to have 24 kids with 2 teachers, now 15 kids with 1 teacher. I think the 75% capacity or 50% capacity apply to the whole daycare center, not room by room. I think my kid maybe selected to be kicked out because we enrolled her back in summer when when center is allowed to be open at 75% capacity.......I want to cry.

The press release indicated that the order would be effective at 5PM this coming Thursday (the 5th).

You better drop your kids off at daycare early on Friday!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

But they are already more restrictive. This makes things even more restrictive and will result in families getting kicked out and childcares closing even though there have been a tiny percentage of cases in centers (wapo reported 38 out of 5700 in august). These are just cases not uncontrolled outbreaks.

Which is why you need to be emailnig each of your council members (individually, not the council-wide email which goes to an admin assistant) now. Also write them on Twitter and Facebook. They do listen, especially if a lot of people write in.

If you can, use "diversity" and "equity" in your message. That will get them to really listen.

I’m confused- I thought that if you email the county email provided on the website that it will be considered testimony and provided to all Councilmembers? Can someone confirm?

Spread the news- a lot of parents have no idea about this. I’m not sure that all daycare providers know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

But they are already more restrictive. This makes things even more restrictive and will result in families getting kicked out and childcares closing even though there have been a tiny percentage of cases in centers (wapo reported 38 out of 5700 in august). These are just cases not uncontrolled outbreaks.

Which is why you need to be emailnig each of your council members (individually, not the council-wide email which goes to an admin assistant) now. Also write them on Twitter and Facebook. They do listen, especially if a lot of people write in.

If you can, use "diversity" and "equity" in your message. That will get them to really listen.

I’m confused- I thought that if you email the county email provided on the website that it will be considered testimony and provided to all Councilmembers? Can someone confirm?

Spread the news- a lot of parents have no idea about this. I’m not sure that all daycare providers know.

Which is more likely to be read -- the email sent to the generic email box that gets forwarded to members, or the email to one directly that says "Dear (Councilmember Name)".

I go with the latter, and also contact them via social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are any other counties being more restrictive than the state requires? Yes, I can Google, but if you know, spare us a moment.

I'm not sure on childcares specifically. So far, when MD has announced that counties can enter a certain phase, MoCo, PG, Baltimore, and sometimes Anne Arundel and/or Howard would delay entering that phase. In some cases, I think it was justified (they had much higher case rates than elsewhere in MD), and in other cases it was just incompetence. It's like every time Hogan announces a new reopening phase allow, Elrich said he's "surprised" at the announcement, and the County will need to study it carefully (mind you, most of these declarations are 2-3 pages long at most), and then they end up making a decision on it a lot later. In a well-managed county, they would already have plans and procedures in place in anticipation of the next moves, so when they are announced, they can just pull their playbook off the shelf and be ready to implement.

But they are already more restrictive. This makes things even more restrictive and will result in families getting kicked out and childcares closing even though there have been a tiny percentage of cases in centers (wapo reported 38 out of 5700 in august). These are just cases not uncontrolled outbreaks.

Which is why you need to be emailnig each of your council members (individually, not the council-wide email which goes to an admin assistant) now. Also write them on Twitter and Facebook. They do listen, especially if a lot of people write in.

If you can, use "diversity" and "equity" in your message. That will get them to really listen.

I’m confused- I thought that if you email the county email provided on the website that it will be considered testimony and provided to all Councilmembers? Can someone confirm?

Spread the news- a lot of parents have no idea about this. I’m not sure that all daycare providers know.

Which is more likely to be read -- the email sent to the generic email box that gets forwarded to members, or the email to one directly that says "Dear (Councilmember Name)".

I go with the latter, and also contact them via social media.

Ok- it was t really clear to me how it worked. I’ll forward the one I sent already to the individual members just in case.

[Anonymous]

This is insanity. I've said before people believe in science when it's politically convenient. The public should demand the rationale and data that indicates the need for further restrictions. The council is a bunch of clowns and extremists. I would love to vote just about all of them out of office or move to Howard County. It's all about politics and pandemic theatre at the expense of working parents, childcare teachers, and daycare centers which operate on already thin profit margins. And I'm a Democrat who voted for most of them. Not again.

[Anonymous]

The order is being revised to align with the state's earlier 15-person limit per room. That should avoid disruption at most centers, provided that they didn't expand after the state rescinded its restrictions in early October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The order is being revised to align with the state's earlier 15-person limit per room. That should avoid disruption at most centers, provided that they didn't expand after the state rescinded its restrictions in early October.

This would be great! Do you have a source or did you call and hear this from one of the council members' offices.