By Mackenzie Burn
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore County Council on Monday approved a resolution to continue a yearlong local state of emergency first prompted by the fast-moving COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilman Izzy Patoka urged the council members to keep in mind that although the State of Emergency was originally declared last March when the pandemic first became known, the county should maintain COVID-19 protocols within the state of emergency.
Councilman Todd Crandell was the only one opposed to the resolution.
Councilwoman Cathy Bevins and other council members urged everyone to stay vigilant even as the state continues its rollout of vaccine.
Gov. Larry Hogan said that Maryland providers have administered a total of 3.1 million COVID-19 vaccines and are averaging 60,885 shots per day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that 44.1 percent of Maryland’s population age 18 and older has received a vaccine, including 77.5 percent of Marylanders 65 and older.
“I urge you all to continue” the State of Emergency, Patoka said, explaining that 39 out of the 50 states have stopped it. “But I implore the Baltimore County Council to continue for the safety of our citizens.”