The Covid-19 Pandemic

Baltimore Brew coverage of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has claimed more than 14,000 lives worldwide. Staff reports on the impact of the pandemic on Baltimore, as the number of confirmed cases in the city and state increases dramatically.

Hogan orders Maryland Health Department to report race data for coronavirus cases

After two consecutive days of data show the virus spreading more slowly in Maryland, the question is asked: could social distancing be working?

Advocates call on Mayor Young to move all homeless from shelters

Moving some people to motels is a step in the right direction, but not enough to stem the spread of the virus among the vulnerable in Baltimore, critics say.

Schools CEO says grades may not count against students

Food distribution sites are now outside of school buildings to better comply with physical distancing guidelines.

City Council seeks data about coronavirus health disparities

Scott introduces bill requiring the health department to report the race and other details about coronavirus patients. The Young administration is called on to appeal ruling that invalidated city’s clean air law.

Urban foraging in Baltimore in the time of a pandemic

Flowers you can eat, fiddleheads you can fry, weeds you can sautee. The Urban Forager looks for what’s edible in your backyard and beyond.

After nursing home outbreaks, Hogan issues order requiring protective equipment for staff

81 nursing homes in Maryland have reported coronavirus cases.

FutureCare initially prevented staff from using protective equipment, nurse says

The nursing home chain, she says, was slow to put protective measures in place at its Baltimore facilities. Now 12 people have tested positive for COVID-19 at three locations.

Concern at a Baltimore courthouse after two sheriff’s deputies test positive

An attorney worries about safety in the building, but Major Sabrina Tapp-Harper says cleaning and quarantining procedures have been followed.

Public Defender petitions court for reduction in number of incarcerated youth

Release is the only effective means of protecting young people from contracting and transmitting coronavirus in juvenile detention centers, the office argues in a court filing.

Maryland casinos take a terrible tumble

Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino posts the biggest decline – a 61% decrease in March revenue compared to the same month of last year.

Housing official blocks volunteers from distributing food to public housing residents

A grassroots activist says Baltimore City needs to improve its food distribution methods that, as currently operated, are overly bureaucratic and could help spread the virus.

Unemployment claims in Maryland skyrocket

More than 84,000 Marylanders, including 8,685 Baltimoreans, applied for benefits last week.

Advocates press Baltimore on water affordability during coronavirus crisis

A key deadline is coming up for water relief measures, but no word yet from the Department of Public Works on whether they will meet it.

Baltimore City revenues could drop by nearly $170 million

Revenue losses from the coronavirus outbreak have already thrown the city’s 2020 budget into the red.

As school moves online, teachers and parents press school board on tech access

While Baltimore scrambles to create a remote learning system from scratch, questions about equity and feelings of anxiety surface at last night’s school board meeting.

Hogan issues stay-at-home order commencing at 8 p.m. tonight

Maryland residents can still walk their dogs, order take-out and go to the pharmacy. The number of known coronavirus cases in the state grew to 1,413 Monday, including a severe outbreak at a Carroll County nursing home.

Resources available to Baltimore area residents: A checklist

If you’re sick, need food, own a small business or just need to catch up on the facts, start here. And please suggest any helpful resources we haven’t listed.

Another front in the war on COVID-19 – child care centers

A Baltimore day care center hopes to be allowed to re-open Monday and, fortified with disinfectant and strict rules, to do so safely.

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Hogan extends Maryland public school closure to April 24

Otherwise, another day of officials preaching the importance of social distancing. Number of known COVID-19 cases in Maryland rises to 423.

Volunteers seek protective equipment for city’s frontline medical care providers

The volunteer efforts are inspiring but also appalling, says Del. Brooke Lierman. “The federal government is really letting us down.”

How the Planning Commission plans to meet in the age of coronavirus

Tomorrow’s virtual meeting raises many questions about how the commission will interact with the public and the press.

Virtual BOE meeting – with no public input opportunity – to consider spy plane agreement

Board President Brandon Scott, former Councilman Carl Stokes and the ACLU ask for a deferral of the controversial plan, which was put before the board by Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young.

A message from the experts: COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate

Public health specialists are scrambling to squelch misinformed views about the new coronavirus – including those expressed yesterday by President Trump.

Baltimore in lockdown: Many city services suspended

Residential trash and recycling pick-ups will continue, but other sanitation programs are suspended. Metered parking is no longer in effect.

Hogan orders “non-essential” businesses to shut down

Governor expands emergency grants and loans for small businesses as the number of known COVID-19 cases in Maryland grows to 288.

Mr. Mayor: Do more now to help vulnerable Baltimore residents during this COVID-19 crisis

AN OPEN LETTER calls on Jack Young and other leaders to provide emergency housing and food protection for those who are poor, homeless and struggling. [OP-ED]

In Baltimore, Maryland National Guard presence at first sparks jitters

Soldiers, evoking memories of the 2015 Uprising, were seen in the city as early as Monday. Mayor Young announced they are here to provide COVID-19 assistance.

City’s “pushback” hinders COVID-19 testing effort for Baltimore’s homeless, source says

Clients at Health Care for the Homeless who met screening criteria and had been scheduled for testing at Johns Hopkins never got there.

First reported COVID-19 death in Maryland

The number of reported cases in Baltimore grew from five to eight. Meanwhile, still little testing.

“There’ll be no savings at the end of this”

At a Baltimore school amid the coronavirus crisis, students wonder if they will be able to pass on to the next grade and out-of-work parents wonder how they will get by.

Hogan moves primary to June 2, keeps 7th District Congressional election April 28

Delay means candidates have more time to campaign but need to solicit more funds – from a hurting electorate.

City prepares for some employees to work from home

Employees under Joan Pratt say they could telework, but that the Comptroller has been defying a mayoral directive requiring eligible city workers to do so.

Second case of coronavirus in Baltimore confirmed

The case involves a woman in her 20s, Mayor Young says.

For Baltimore bars flouting anti-coronavirus advice: The party’s over

Hogan shuts down Maryland bars and restaurants amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Scenes from Baltimore over the weekend: Day drinking, a bar crawl and a mayoral candidate’s fundraiser.

It’s “cancel culture” as Baltimore faces up to the coronavirus

Schools and senior centers are closed and events called off as officials try to minimize the spread of the virus.