News in 5 minutes or less with Ryan Miner: Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Story 1: Gov. Larry Hogan announces new masking restrictions, issues travel advisory to coronavirus hotspots. Plus, Maryland’s top health officer retires. And Maryland isn’t ready to move into phase three of recovery.
On the same day that Johns Hopkins announced that U.S. coronavirus deaths surpassed 150,000, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) held a press conference Wednesday afternoon in the Governor’s Reception Room to update Marylanders on the state’s plan for recovery.
Four Newsworthy Announcements
POINT 1: Maryland will “put a pause” on moving into phase three of its state’s recovery plan, remaining, for now, in Phase two – until it’s “safe, prudent and thoroughly backed by medical science to move forward,” Hogan said.
POINT 2: Hogan said has directed the Maryland Department of Health to issue a public health advisory for out-of-state travel.
Under this advisory, Marylanders are strongly advised against traveling to states with Covid-positive rates of 10% or higher. Anyone traveling from these states should get tested and self-quarantine while awaiting results, the governor implored.
As of Wednesday, the advisory applies to Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina, Nebraska, and Idaho.
POINT 3: Beginning Friday, July 31st, Maryland’s statewide masking order will be expanded.
All Marylanders over the age of five are required to wear face coverings in the public spaces of all businesses.
Moreover, face coverings will be mandatory in outdoor public areas whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing, with certain exceptions.
POINT 4: After serving in public health for 33 years, Maryland’s top public health officer, Fran Phillips, is retiring.
Deputy Secretary Phillips has led the state’s public health response through the Covid-19 pandemic. She will continue to advise the governor and state officials on response efforts.
Dr. Jinlene Chan, currently the assistant secretary and chief medical officer, will serve as acting deputy secretary of Public Health Services. Dr. Chan has served on the front lines of Maryland’s coronavirus response, leading the state’s testing task force for the past five months, according to a press release issued by Hogan’s staff.
STORY 2) Former state Del. Cheryl D. Glenn (D) sentenced to prison
Remember former Maryland state Del. Cheryl Glenn?
The once-respected Baltimore Democrat pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud and taking nearly $34,000 in bribes.
Her day of reckoning came today: A judge sentenced Glenn to two years in prison.
Glenn copped to taking money in exchange for her support on measures that included preferential treatment for Maryland-based cannabis companies, among other things.
She expressed remorse for her actions and told the judge that she takes full responsibility.
Glenn is 69-years-old – and it looks like she’s going to jail.
About A Miner Detail
Ryan Miner is the editor in chief of A Miner Detail, an independent, nonpartisan multimedia online news outlet, featuring Maryland politics and news.
Miner is the host of A Miner Detail Podcast, one of Maryland’s most informative and entertaining politics and news podcasts.
