Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

This is a rapidly evolving situation and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will provide updates at coronavirus.maryland.gov as they become available. Maryland Department of Disabilities has collected numerous Federal and State resources specific to COVID-19 and individuals with disabilities on their website page.

Updates from Governor Larry Hogan

The Hogan Administration is committed to being transparent, keeping Marylanders fully informed, taking actions based on detailed planning, and making decisions based on the facts on the ground. His press conferences are available to view at governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Hogan announced the relaunch of the Maryland Unites initiative to connect Marylanders with resources and highlight stories of generosity and compassion amid the crisis. To learn more, visit governor.maryland.gov/marylandunites. Learn more about the reopening status in Maryland’s jurisdictions at governor.maryland.gov/recovery.

Updates in ASL from the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has been working with the Governor and the state to ensure accessibility for the Deaf and hard of hearing community, including providing a Certified Deaf Interpreting team at Governor Hogan’s press conferences. You can watch his press conferences at governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus or on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

Maryland COVID-19 ASL video updates from the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are also provided on their YouTube playlist or on their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages. Sign up for email newsletters from the office here. The YouTube videos are shown below, beginning with the most recent update. More Maryland resources include Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), Maryland School for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, and Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).

Health Care Designation for Disabilities Service Personnel

Governor Hogan issued an executive order ensuring that workers who provide important support services to the disabled will be treated as health care providers under the recently-enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This order officially recognizes the essential function of services for the disabled—including in-home care, interpreting services, social services, and support systems for substance abuse and mental illness—and designates those who provide these services as essential health care providers. Read the executive order here and watch the ASL announcement here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about COVID-19

VEIP Drive-Thru Testing: Information is available on MDH’s Symptoms & Testing Page with ASL videos:

• COVID-19 Symptoms
• COVID-19: Symptoms for Testing
• Getting a COVID-19 Test
• What is a VEIP Testing Site?
• What to Expect at a VEIP Testing Site
• When Will You Get Your COVID-19 Test Results?
• What Should You Do While Waiting for Test Results?

We may also have answers to your FAQ! Click each question to see answers in ASL.

• COVID-19 FAQs made by a group of Deaf Maryland volunteers
  • Education
  • Essential Activities
  • Eviction
  • Masks
  • Mental Health
  • Telehealth
  • Senior Citizens
  • Testing
  • Unemployment Insurance
• FAQs about Financial program for your business or nonprofit organization: Relief Wizard
• Can I travel out of state in the DMV for essential activities?
• Recent travel to New York?
• Caring for a family member out of home?
• How long is the stay-at-home order?
• Can I get text notifications for COVID-19 updates in Maryland? 
• What can I do during the stay-at-home order?
• What will happen if I leave my home for a non-essential reason?
• How can I be more prepared for COVID-19?
• What are the procedures for hospital visitation?
• What are VEIP stations?
• Is Tax Day Postponed?
• During all these shutdowns, I’m having difficulty paying bills. What do I do?
• With these closures, I don’t get paid. How do I file for unemployment insurance?
• Where can I find more information on meals for students in Maryland?
• I’m uninsured and I want to sign up for health insurance. How can I do that?
• Some people have been calling me asking for credit card information for COVID-19 cures. Are they real?
• I own a business. What resources are available for me since the daily operations are affected during the state of emergency?

ASL Video Updates from the Office