By Chaimae Hadane
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore County Council on Monday approved a resolution to extend the State of Emergency declared last week by County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
Olszewski declared a local state of emergency about one week after Gov. Larry Hogan called one for the entire state of Maryland to gain access to extensive resources, manpower and funding.
“The director of emergency management Baltimore County and a local heath officer have determined that COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily person to person and might result to serious illness or death, is a public catastrophe and a public safety emergency, ” the resolution said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, newly reported cases of the novel coronavirus increased the region’s known total to 157. Officials said the breakdown is 67 in Virginia, 58 in Maryland and 32 in the District of Columbia. Maryland added 17 confirmed cases – its largest per-day increase.
“It appears likely to the county executive that this public safety emergency will continue to exist beyond March 20, 2020. The county executive requests therefore that the executive order would be continued for 30 days from the effective date of this proposed resolution or until the end of the emergency which is declared.”
While the council agreed to extend the emergency 30 days, some noted that another resolution may be needed to push for additional time.
“It’s along the lines of what I was thinking,” said Councilman David Marks. “I think we will be dealing with this situation well beyond April 15. I mean the CDC is already talking up to eight weeks in certain facilities.”
Marks suggested extending the resolution 45 days instead of the 30 requested by the county executive.
“I don’t think this emergency is going to be fast,” he said.
Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. said the resolution would extend what is in the executive order allowing flexibility in taking action.
“It will enable him to have the flexibility necessary to take the appropriate actions on behalf of the citizens without being bogged down on some of the regulations that govern out normal course of business,” said Jones.
Councilman Israel “Izzy” Patoka insisted that the county executive be given latitude needed for an unprecedented event.
“This event has so many unknowns,” said Patoka, “that I think its important for us as a governing body to support the executive side and allow the county executive who has demonstrated strong leadership as well as the governor on addressing what we do know in the anticipation of many unknowns that we have before us.”
Council members voted unanimously for the resolution.