Breaking: Maine Lobster Festival Cancelled For 2020

Breaking: From Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland, Maine -The Maine Lobster Festival has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 Pandemic in hopes that we would be able to safely offer our event to visitors from all over the world. Our President and executive board have met with state and local officials, our board has been monitoring CDC, Federal and state guidelines, and we feel that the safest strategy for everyone is to cancel the 2020 festival. We will miss seeing our tens of thousands of guests, our thousand plus volunteers, our artists, vendors and business partners, and all of our local neighbors.

The Maine Lobster Festival is a non-profit organization that is deeply committed to the support of our local community, donating our profits in a variety of ways. Despite the lack of a 2020 event, we plan on continuing our college scholarship program to help support local students in their pursuit of higher education. Our hope is to adapt some of our other work to highlight our local community and the Maine Lobster Industry over the course of the year. Please follow our Facebook page for up to date information.

We have not made this decision lightly and are deeply disappointed. Yet we know it is the right decision to keep everyone safe and healthy. We are confident that we will be able to greet you all safely at our event August 4-8, 2021.

We look forward to celebrating with you next year!

The Maine Lobster Festival Board of Directors

Governor Mills Presents Safe, Gradual Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy

Governor will extend stay-at-home order with modifications to allow for activities and business operations deemed safe

Governor Janet Mills today presented her Administration’s plan to gradually and safely restart Maine’s economy. The plan, which comes as the State appears to be successfully flattening the curve, establishes four gradual stages of reopening, the first of which begins May 1st. The stages focus not on essential v. non-essential designations like those used to originally limit business operations and activities, but on the ability of a business to operate or an activity to occur in a manner that protects public health and safety. As the Administration gradually eases restrictions on some businesses and activities, it also implements protective protocols, along with broader additional health and safety measures, to protect Maine people.

  

To that end, the Governor also announced

Maine DHHS Issues Emergency Rule to Protect the Health and Safety of Maine Nursing Home Residents and Staff

AUGUSTA – As Governor Janet Mills just announced during today's media briefing, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued an emergency rule to further protect the health and safety of Maine's nursing home residents against the spread of COVID-19.

As of April 28, over half (28) of the 51

Governor Mills Outlines Vision for a Gradual, Safe Reopening of Maine’s Economy

Science, public health, and collaboration will drive Maine’s phased-in approach to reopening the economy when the time is right

Governor Janet Mills today outlined her vision for a gradual and safe reopening of Maine’s economy amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, emphasizing four principles that will guide the State’s decision-making process and inviting Maine people to offer their ideas through a new portal launched by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

“While we all dream of going back to the way

Rockland Fire Department Working To Put Out 453 Old County Rd. Chimney Fire

Update 5:52pm: All fire units have cleared.
Rockland, Maine - The Rockland Fire Department is off at 453 Old County Rd on Saturday, April 18th, 2020 for a 2-story chimney fire.

Firefighters are working to put it out.

Old County Rd. in the area is closed.

Governor Mills: We all have a responsibility to support one another even as we stay apart.

This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.

Like you, I certainly want life to return to normal as soon as it is safe to do so. My heart breaks to see the closed storefronts and to see so many people struggling to make ends meet because of this crisis.

At the same time, we all know that reopening

Online Presentation about Lighthouses, Legends, and Lore

Online Presentation about Lighthouses, Legends, and Lore

On Thursday, April 30, at 6:00 pm, the Camden Public Library welcomes Sally Lobkowicz, "The Lady in the Red Cloak," for an informative and entertaining online presentation on Lighthouse Legends & Lore via the Zoom platform. If you would like to be emailed a link to attend the presentation on Zoom, please contact jpierce@librarycamden.org.

Lobkowicz will share true stories about lighthouse life, legends that have been passed down through generations, and little-known trivia about some of Maine's beloved lighthouses. This will be a fun and fascinating opportunity for locals and visitors alike to learn more about the beautiful beacons that are so iconic to the Maine coast.

Sally Lobkowicz has loved history, genealogy, and cemeteries since she was a young girl, nurtured by her parents and grandmothers. This Waldoboro resident and gifted storyteller is the owner of Red Cloak Tours, which hosts summer season tours in eight Maine villages, including Camden. The tour offerings include Haunted History Twilight Tours, Historic Tidbit Tasting Tours, and Maritime History Tours, among others.

Zoom meetings allow for audience Q&A participation. The Library is finding Zoom sessions to be a popular way to bring speakers and a live audience together. For more information on this free online program and others offered by the Camden Public Library, visit librarycamden.org

Strand announces upcoming virtual movie screenings

ROCKLAND, Maine - While its physical doors are temporarily closed, the Strand Theatre will continue to offer a weekly schedule of new release films that patrons can watch through public online streaming platforms. By purchasing a “virtual ticket,” movie fans can still see the films that would have shown at the theater. Once patrons have purchased a ticket, they will have several days in which to watch the film.

Films scheduled at the time of this release are:

April 17 - 23: THE ETRUSCAN SMILE: Brian Cox stars as a rugged Scotsman whose life is transformed when he leaves his beloved isolated Hebridean island and travels to San Francisco to seek medical treatment. 

April 24 - 30: THE DOG DOC: Called a maverick, a miracle-worker, and a quack, Dr. Marty Goldstein is a pioneer of integrative veterinary medicine. By holistically treating animals after other vets have given up, Goldstein provides a last hope for pet owners with nothing left to lose.

May 1 - 7: CAPITAL IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: Based on the international bestseller by rock-star economist Thomas Piketty, the film is an eye-opening journey through wealth and power that breaks the popular assumption that the accumulation of capital runs hand in hand with social progress.

May 8 - 14: OTHER MUSIC: For 20 years indie record store Other Music was an influential hub of music culture in NYC. Featuring Vampire Weekend, Animal Collective, Interpol and more, the film reminds us that the spirit of the much-loved destination will live on. 

Virtual tickets cost $12, and will be available on the Strand Theatre website during each film’s screening dates. Proceeds from the ticket purchases will be shared between the Strand and the film distribution companies, and will provide much-needed support while the theater’s doors are temporarily closed to regular shows.

For fans of the Metropolitan Opera Live In HD series, or London’s National Theatre Live programming, information is also available on the website for opportunities to stream or watch videos of past captured-live performances.

For more information, visit www.RocklandStrand.com, email: info@rocklandstrand.com, or call (207) 594-0070. Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841

Governor Mills on Guidelines for Reopening the Economy

Governor Mills on Guidelines for Reopening the Economy

April 17, 2020

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to the President’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again:

“We all want life to return to normal as soon as it is safe to do so. Our hearts break to see closed storefronts and people struggling to make ends meet because of this crisis. At the same time, we all know that reopening too soon and too aggressively will likely cause a secondary surge in COVID 19 cases, jeopardizing the lives of Maine people and further destabilizing the economy. None of us want that. I have been speaking with a number of economic leaders, including the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Their message is clear: the most important thing we can do to turn the economy around is to defeat the virus.

“As the President acknowledges, the Governors are in charge of reopening their states’ economies and gradually lifting public health restrictions. Here in Maine, we too are planning a phased-in reopening, tailored to the demographics and various economic sectors of our state. Ultimately, the protocols we adopt, made after consulting with people from all parts of the state, will be guided by fact, science and public health expertise. As the President’s guidelines note, widespread testing, personal protective equipment, and contact tracing are critical to lifting restrictions and reviving the economy; for that reason, the nation’s governors yesterday again urged the Federal government to ensure that all states have these resources.

“I remain in contact with Governor Sununu of New Hampshire and Governor Scott of Vermont regarding actions that may be appropriate for the northern New England region. My Administration, through the Department of Economic and Community Development, has been connecting with individual economic sectors across the state to devise a plan for how we gradually reopen the Maine economy. Those decisions, of course, are driven first and foremost by the need to protect the public health. We will release details of the plan in the near future.”

Maine DHHS Boosts Payments to Congregate Care Facilities In Response to COVID-19

Approximately $10 million in temporary rate increases supports preparedness and response efforts

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is temporarily increasing payments to a range of congregate care facilities to support their preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional $10.1 million in state and federal funds will support facilities that provide long-term services and support to children, older Mainers, and people with behavioral health disorders.

The funding will help ensure that these

Secretary Dunlap to determine order of bond questions on July ballot

AUGUSTA - Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap will draw the order of the bond questions for the July 14, 2020 Special Referendum Election ballot on Tuesday.

Secretary Dunlap will determine the ballot order of the bond questions by random drawing on Tuesday, April 21 at 11 a.m. in his office at the Nash School Building, 103 Sewall St., Augusta.

The drawing is a public proceeding, but due to social distancing efforts in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, the department is asking interested parties to watch the drawing live on its Facebook page, in lieu of attending in person. The page is listed on Facebook as @MaineSOS, or Maine Department of the Secretary of State https://www.facebook.com/MaineSOS/

The bond questions, to be listed as Questions 1 and 2, depending on which is drawn first, are:

• Transportation Bond (PL 673, Sec. A-9)https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_129th/chapters/PUBLIC673.asp
  
  "Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue for improvement of highways and bridges statewide and for multimodal facilities or equipment related to transit, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, ports, harbors, marine transportation and active transportation projects, to be used to match an estimated $275,000,000 in federal and other funds?"
• Internet Infrastructure Bond (PL 673, Sec. B-10)https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_129th/chapters/PUBLIC673.asp
  
  Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue to invest in high-speed internet infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas, to be used to match up to $30,000,000 in federal, private, local or other funds?
  
  Voters will decide on the two bond questions in the Special Referendum Election on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, voting on this statewide ballot on the same day as the State Primary Election.

Friday Update: Mainers Recovered From COVID19, 352

Maine - As of today, Friday, April 17th, 2020 352 Mainers have recovered, up from 187 April 8th, 2020, from the COVID19 virus that is gripping the world.

Social distancing, keeping 6 feet away from others is helping slow the spread and staying home unless vital.

RCN America Network will keep Mainers informed of those that have recovered.

Recovered Breakdown by County:

Androscoggin 13

Aroostook 1

Cumberland 181

Franklin 4

Hancock 1

Kennebec 16

Knox 5

Lincoln 7

Oxford 8

Penobscot 25

Sagadahoc 8

Somerset 3

Waldo 3

Washington 2

York 75

Governor Mills Unveils Actions to Protect Housing for Maine People Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Governor issues EO on evictions, establishes rental assistance relief program with MaineHousing & urges mortgage lenders to provide flexibility to homeowners facing financial hardship

Governor Janet Mills took significant steps today to keep Maine people in their homes and Maine businesses in their storefronts as COVID-19 continues to create financial hardships across the state.

The Governor signed an Executive Order that,

BANGOR SAVINGS BANK FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES $50,000 TO HELP STUDENTS WITH INTERNET ACCESS

Grant to “Connect Kids Now” initiative aimed at helping bridge

digital divide during COVID-19 pandemic, and into the future

Bangor, ME (April 15^th, 2020): Based on a needs report submitted by school officials, more than 25,000 students in Maine are at risk of falling behind academically every day because their homes don’t have internet access that would enable them to take part in the remote learning made necessary during the COVID-19 crisis. Now, the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation is stepping forward to help with this digital divide. Today the Foundation announced a grant of $50,000 to Connect Kids Now, a new initiative put forth by the Maine Department of Education aimed at helping bridge the gap of this online inequity.

“The digital divide Maine students are dealing with is a serious issue and the impacts are made more pronounced by the COVID-19 Pandemic. It’s important that we help any way we can,” said President and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank Bob Montgomery-Rice. “Supporting the continued academic success of our students right now means we’re also supporting a bridge to their future and the future of our communities.”

The Foundation’s $50,000 grant to the Connect Kids Now initiative might be used in one of three ways:

• Cover the cost of connectivity at home for 500 students through end of school year
• Provide devices with hotspots and cover connectivity costs for 500 students
• Help purchase 500 devices to distribute to students

Along with support from the business and philanthropic community, the Connect Kids Now initiative is also enlisting the support from state and federal resources to make sure all Maine students can fully engage in remote, continuous learning. Most of the estimated 25,000 students in Maine being left behind by this digital divide are predominantly lower income students, are students of color, or live in rural regions of the state.

The Foundation also announced a $5,000 donation directly to the Bangor School Department, supporting similar internet and device needs for students in the Bangor School system.

“During the past month of remote learning, our teachers and families have been doing everything they can to make sure students don’t fall behind, but when there is a technological gap, students are missing a basic provision for their learning,” said Maine Dept. of Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “Without access to the internet, the unfortunate reality is some students are at a disadvantage, without access to the online learning platforms of their peers. This grant by the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will help alleviate that and for that, we are grateful.”

About Bangor Savings Bank

Bangor Savings Bank, with more than $4.7 billion in assets, offers retail banking to consumers as well as comprehensive commercial, corporate, payroll administration, merchant services, and small business banking services to businesses. The Bank, founded in 1852, is in its 168th year with 57 branches in Maine and New Hampshire and on the Web at www.bangor.com. The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation was created in 1997. Together the Bank and its Foundation invested more than $2 million into the community in the form of nonprofit sponsorships, grants and partnership initiatives last year. Bangor Savings Bank is an equal opportunity employer. Member FDIC.

Governor Mills Statement on Explosion at Androscoggin Mill in Jay

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the explosion at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay:

“I am closely monitoring all information concerning the explosion at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay. Officials with the Department of Public Safety are on scene, along with first responders, and more are on the way. I will be in close contact with public safety officials regarding further developments and to direct all necessary State resources.

“I urge Maine people to stay far away from the scene, to stay safe and to allow first responders to work as quickly as they can. I ask the people of Maine to join me in praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those in and around this historic mill. In this already difficult moment, let us summon the strength and resilience which has defined us as Maine people throughout our history and which has sustained us and carried us through our most challenging times.”

Governor Mills Extends State of Civil Emergency As Maine Continues to Combat COVID-19

As the State continues to respond to COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills today signed a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency (PDF) for another thirty days through May 15, 2020. The original state of civil emergency was scheduled to expire tomorrow, April 15, 2020.

A state of civil emergency places Maine on highest alert and allows Governor Mills to deploy all available state resources to protect the health and safety of Maine people and to take every action she reasonably deems necessary to help respond to and protect against the spread of COVID-19 in Maine. It also eases Maine’s access to critical federal aid to boost response efforts.

“I wish this proclamation was not necessary, but the continued spread of the virus demands a sustained response by the State,” said Governor Mills. “There will be difficult days and weeks ahead, but I am confident that Maine people will continue to step up to meet this challenge, just as we have in the past, and together we will get through this. For now, I continue to urge Maine people to do their part and stay apart. This is the best way we will defeat this virus and protect the state we all know and love.”

For up-to-date information on Maine’s response to COVID-19, please visit Coronavirus.Maine.Gov.

Wednesday Update: 187 Recovered From COVID19

Maine - As of today, Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 187 Mainers have recovered, up from 140 last week, from the COVID19 virus that is gripping the world.

Social distancing, keeping 6 feet away from others is helping slow the spread and staying home unless vital.

RCN America Network will keep Mainers informed of those that have recovered.

Recovered Breakdown by County:

Androscoggin 6

Cumberland 97

Franklin 1
Kennebec 8

Knox 3

Lincoln 5

Oxford 5

Penobscot 17

Sagadahoc 4

Waldo 1

York 40

Governor Mills Announces Approval of Federal Disaster Declaration For COVID-19 Response in Maine

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the President has approved her request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Maine, unlocking critical federal assistance for state agencies and municipalities in Maine.

The approval is specifically for public assistance, which means that State agencies and municipalities in all of Maine’s 16 counties will be reimbursed for 75 percent of approved costs associated with their COVID-19 response. The Governor’s other requests for disaster assistance, including additional resources for Maine people to support child care, behavioral health, and legal services, among others, remain under review by the Trump Administration. Additionally, Governor Mills’ request for approval of Title 32 Section 502(f) funds for the Maine National Guard remains under review.

“I welcome this support from the Federal government. It will bolster the response of our State agencies and municipalities who are working to protect the public’s health and safety during these unprecedented times,” said Governor Mills. “I am grateful to Maine’s Congressional Delegation for advocating for this designation, and I am hopeful the President will approve the State’s pending requests for critical resources. Maine people are doing their part to defeat this virus, and those additional resources will provide critical support. We will continue to do all we can to protect our state and provide for Maine people who need our help.”

Saturday Update: 140 Mainers Recovered From COVID19

Maine - As of today, Saturday, April 4th, 2020 140 Mainers have recovered, up from 113 yesterday, from the COVID19 virus that is gripping the world.

Social distancing, keeping 6 feet away from others is helping slow the spread and staying home unless vital.

RCN America Network will keep Mainers informed of those that have recovered.

Recovered Breakdown by County:

Androscoggin 4

Cumberland 78

Kennebec 6

Knox 2

Lincoln 2

Oxford 4

Penobscot 11

Sagadahoc 3

Waldo 1

York 29

Governor Mills: Stay healthy. Stay Home.

We are in the midst of one of the greatest public health crises this world has seen in more than a century.

This virus will continue to sicken people across our state and our country; our cases will grow, and unfortunately, more people will die.

I say this to be direct, to be as honest with you as I can.

Because saving lives depends on all of us.

Good morning, I am Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

Effective Thursday morning, April 2nd, until at least April 30, I have ordered:

1. All Maine people to stay at home. Leave only if you work in an essential business or to do an essential activity, such as getting groceries, or going to the pharmacy, or getting medical care, caring for a family member outside your home, or going for a walk, a run, a hike, fishing or walking a pet. But while you are out, even while you’re out, you have to maintain six feet distance from other people other than immediate family or household members.
2. I have ordered people not to use public transportation unless it’s for an essential reason or for some job that cannot be done from home. For those who travel in their own vehicles, you must limit passengers to persons within your immediate household unless you are transporting someone for a medical or public health reason.
3. I have ordered essential stores that do remain open to limit the number of customers inside the store at any one time, to also adopt curb-side pickup and delivery options as much as possible, and to enforce the recommended physical distancing requirements for customers and staff in and around their facilities.
4. I have ordered the continued closure of schools for classroom and in-person instruction until at least May 1. Traveling to and from a school for purposes of receiving meals or instructional materials for distance learning is allowed.

While I cannot simply close the State’s border, or pull up the Maine-New Hampshire Bridge as some people have suggested, I have issued a new travel order, effective immediately, requiring that anyone entering Maine self-quarantine for 14 days at home and obey Maine’s Stay Healthy at Home Order.

There will be a few exceptions for essential travel, but basically, if you don’t need to come to Maine right now for an essential purpose, please don’t.

This is difficult on all of us, but if we pull together, we can and will defeat this virus. Maine is a welcoming state, and we do welcome the many servicemembers, Coast Guard folks and medical professionals and so many people who are here to help us. I ask Maine people not to make assumptions about others or their license plate, and we welcome the cooperation of other visitors and returning residents in quarantining themselves and keeping us all safe in accordance with my travel order. Let us treat all people in Maine with compassion and kindness. That is how we will get through this.

If we all do our part, you and your family can stay safe. And the sooner we all take all these measures, the sooner we can flatten that curve, avoid the surge, and be safe once again as a state.

So, do your part: Stay apart.

If you love your neighbor, your family, if you love this state, as I do, please, don’t travel. Stay healthy. Stay home.

I am Governor Janet Mills.

God bless you and yours and keep you all safe.

And may God bless the State of Maine.

Governor Mills Issues Executive Order Mandating Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in Maine to Protect Public Health and Safety

Governor Janet Mills today issued an Executive Order mandating that travelers arriving in Maine, regardless of their state of residency, self-quarantine for 14 days to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Order, which directs the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and others to post this guidance at all major points of entry into the State, exempts individuals who are providing essential services as defined by Governor Mills’ March 24 Executive Order (PDF).

“To slow the spread of this deadly virus and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, we must all do our part,” said Governor Mills. “I am mandating that anyone entering Maine self-quarantine for 14 days and abide by Maine’s Stay Healthy at Home Order.
 These actions will protect the health and safety of everyone.”

Additionally, the Order instructs visitors not to travel to Maine if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and advises them not to travel to Maine if they are traveling from cities or regions identified as COVID-19 hot spots.

To deter travel, the Order also suspends lodging operations, including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, and short-term rentals such as those available through VRBO Airbnb, RV parks and campgrounds, and all public and private camping facilities as well as online reservations effective April 5, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.

However, the Order states that lodging can be provided for housing vulnerable populations – such as for children in emergency placements, persons at risk of domestic violence, and homeless individuals as permitted by the State – and for accommodations for health care workers or other workers deemed necessary to support public health, public safety, or critical infrastructure.

While Governor Mills hopes compliance with this Order will be voluntary, it may also be enforced by law enforcement, as necessary. Individual violations of this Order may be charged as a Class E crime subject to a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

 Additionally, any lodging, park, or campground operator who violates this Order may be construed as violating any license, permit or other authorization to operate and be subject to appropriate penalties.

“We are facing one of the greatest public health crises of the world in more than a century. But if we pull together, we can and will defeat this virus,” said Governor Mills. “Maine is a welcoming state, and we welcome the many servicemembers and medical professionals and others who are coming here to help us. I ask Maine people not to make assumptions about others, and we welcome the cooperation of other visitors and returning residents in quarantining themselves and keeping us all safe in accordance with this order. Let us treat all people in Maine with compassion and kindness. That is how we will get through this.”

The Order is effective immediately and extends until at least April 30, 2020.

Read the Executive Order (PDF). For the latest information and guidance on Maine’s response to COVID-19 please visit coronavirus.maine.gov

Maine Tech Community Rallies to Launch Site to Help Protect State from COVID-19

Portland, ME - Pledgetoprotectme.org, created by Mainers for Mainers to spark widespread community engagement and protect the state from COVID-19, goes live today. In just two weeks, after 65 local professionals joined a first of its kind, Virtual Hackathon called “Flatten the Curve: Hacking COVID-19”, hosted and facilitated by a Portland based start-up called MyHealthMath, Maine’s tech community has developed a new website product and an invitation to a social challenge to help keep Maine safe and keep Maine home.

Pledgetoprotectme.org brings laser focus to the single most important action an individual can take to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors from COVID-19 and change the course of the disease in Maine: they can take a pledge to stay home. 

Users take the pledge and in turn encourage others in their social networks to do the same. The site harnesses Maine values of autonomy, self-determination and responsibility and provides social recognition, connection, resources and clear, apolitical, bite-sized coaching to help people adopt the new norms of physical distancing and staying home, actions required to change the course of COVID-19 in the state. 

Dr. Elizabeth Coté MD, MPA the Chief Mission Officer of MyHealthMath, one of 20 national Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow and a direct care provider at Catholic Charities St. Francis Recovery Center thought up the Hackathon two weeks ago and it instantly gained traction in the robust Maine tech community. Dr. Coté highlighted the urgency of the Pledge, a concept that quickly rose to top priority for the group from a pipeline of dozens of innovative ideas generated by the hackathon group to mitigate COVID-19 in Maine.

“We each have power and control, to an extent we don’t even realize, to alter the impact of COVID-19 on our lives and those of our family members and neighbors. These are uncertain, overwhelming times. But one thing that is crystal clear; the single most important thing you can do to help the situation is to stay home as much as possible.” 

Experts agree that the devastation of COVID-19 could vary widely depending on actions taken at the state level and implemented by individuals. The White House recently cited an estimate modeled by the Imperial College of London that predicted up to 2.2 million people in the United States would die if no action were taken to slow the virus (Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team, March 16, 2020). 

The same White House Coronavirus Task Force issued their own estimates at 100,000 to 240,000 deaths Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing. Issued April 1, 2020 The White House based their prediction on modeling from the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which assumed all U.S. states would implement stay at home orders within the week and keep them in place until at least June 1. 

Regardless of the data, assumptions or modeling used to predict the consequences of COVID-19, all agree that the course of the pandemic largely depends on states’ actions and individual adherence to physical distancing and staying at home.

“The virus has already caused great suffering, but the future course of the pandemic is up to us. If each of us changes our daily behavior for the greater good, and encourages others to do the same, together we could exponentially decrease the virus’ devastation and crush the curve.” added Dr. Coté

The group is delighted that the site’s release coincides with Governor Mills’ “Stay Healthy at Home” Order. They hope the grassroots groundswell individual responsibility and social nudging promulgated by the website will inspire individuals to comply with the restrictions of the mandate. Humans are social beings and radical behavior changes, like staying home, are more successful with social reinforcement.

“That such a large group of tech talent, including a first year computer science student, a veteran tech company executive and even Senator Angus King, came together, virtually of course, and converged on this priority, speaks volumes about the state, our resources and the potential we have to flatten the curve” said David Widener, Chief Technology Officer at MyHealthMath. Maine businesses, The Via Agency, SaviLinx and Cross Employee Benefits sponsored the Hackathon, and StartUp Maine and Maine StartUps Insider supported the effort.

“It’s been so rewarding to work on this project with such amazing humans!” said lead illustrator and graphic designer Pam Chévez; “If the app sparks a fraction of the good-will, talent and energy that the process of making it has, it will be a wild success and save Maine lives.” 

The call is still out for dedicated community partners and volunteers to come together to help share the pledge, educate and encourage Mainers to stay at home. Visit pledgetoprotectme.org or email megan@pledgetoprotectme.org for ways to join the effort and learn more.

ABOUT PLEDGE TO PROTECT ME

Pledge to Protect ME is a diverse pool of Maine talent, led by MyMaineMath that includes developers, business analysts, UI/UX designers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and public health experts rapidly developed, tested and are now deploying the first innovative product aimed at flattening the curve. They continue to work on a pipeline of innovative ideas generated by the Hackathon, an event co-sponsored by The Via Agency, SaviLinx, Cross Benefit Solutions and supported by Startup Maine and Maine Startups Insider. 

ABOUT MYHEALTHMATH (MHM) 

MyHealthMath is an Insurtech firm enabling efficiency and savings for employers and their employees through the collective power of informed decisions. Combining innovative decision-support technology and human interaction, MyHealthMath reduces health insurance costs and optimizes the health insurance marketplace. Based in Portland, Maine, MyHealthMath has direct and SaaS clients throughout the US. As a neutral third-party, MyHealthMath guarantees objectivity and confidentiality for all individual use data collected from claim reports and individual interviews.

Governor Mills & Maine Congressional Delegation Renew Call for Defense Department to Protect Workers’ Health at BIW & Other Defense Contractors In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Governor Janet Mills and Maine’s Congressional Delegation today renewed their call for the Department of Defense to take action to protect the health of shipyard employees in response to a second diagnosis of a BIW employee with COVID-19:

“We have repeatedly and clearly expressed to the Defense Department our concern for the health and safety of the hardworking men and women at Bath Iron Works and the stability of the defense industrial base in the face of the coronavirus. The Department’s response, in our estimation, has been inadequate. This new case only deepens our long-standing concern and hastens the need for the Department of Defense to provide much-needed flexibility so these shipyards can better safeguard the health and safety of their workforce. In addition, we urge the Navy to immediately provide guidelines to protect our nation’s large private shipyards similar to the guidance they issued to its four public shipyards. This guidance is needed to limit the potential exposure of shipyard workers to COVID-19 while maximizing the important national security work they perform.”

The Trump Administration has deemed Bath Iron Works and all other defense suppliers as essential businesses critical to the nation’s defense. Maine’s Congressional Delegation, supported by Governor Mills, sent a letter on March 19th to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Navy Acting Secretary Thomas B. Modly urging them to act to protect the health of shipyard employees during the COVID-19 outbreak.  

The Delegation and Governor Mills are asking Secretary Esper and Acting Secretary Modly to continue to:

• Work to mitigate cash flow and other financial burdens that contractors and subcontractors may face, to include relief from contracting requirements that are uniquely impacted by COVID-19.
• 
  
• Take any actions possible to accelerate or advance payments or new contract obligations in order to provide immediate stability to the industrial base.
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• Clarify their planning and public guidance to ensure a stable industrial base while also ensuring the health and safety of the defense industrial base workforce.
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Senators Collins and King hold seats on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, respectively. Congresswoman Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Golden is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Mills Administration Acts to Ensure Basic Necessities for Maine People in the Face of COVID-19

Governor Mills bolsters General Assistance through Executive Order, DHHS improves program flexibility

AUGUSTA – Governor Janet Mills and Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew announced today that the Administration has taken further steps to ensure Maine people have access to basic necessities in response to COVID-19.

These steps include issuance of an Executive Order that bolsters the General Assistance program and swift action by DHHS to improve flexibility of several programs, which will help Maine families buy nutritious food and cover the costs of essentials such as housing and medications.

"These steps will help Maine people feed their families, pay their rent, and meet other basic needs in the face of this pandemic," said Governor Mills. "We will continue to take action and push the federal government for approval of strategies to support Maine people during these unprecedented times."

"In the face of COVID-19, it's critical now more than ever that Maine people can protect their families' health and wellbeing without risking their financial stability," said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew.

These recent actions, which build on earlier steps https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=DHS+Press+Releases&id=2227379&v=article" target="_blank">announced on March 17, include:

Bolstering General Assistance

Under the Governor's March 31 https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/sites/maine.gov.governor.mills/files/inline-files/EO%2029_0.pdf" target="_blank">Executive Order, all applications for General Assistance will be processed as emergency applications for eligibility purposes, and certain other requirements are waived. The order also allows eligible individuals to reapply after 60 days rather than 30 days for ongoing assistance.

General Assistance is funded through communities, with DHHS reimbursing 70 percent of municipalities' costs. Under the Executive Order, DHHS will use existing funding to increase reimbursement to Maine Tribes to up to 100 percent.

General Assistance can be used for basic necessities including food, housing, electricity and medical expenses. Assistance is not provided directly to eligible individuals, but rather it is issued in the form of vouchers used to pay vendors who provide goods and services to eligible individuals.

Boosting Food Supplement Benefits (SNAP)

DHHS received federal approval to issue emergency benefits for the months of April and May to households that qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This means DHHS will issue an additional $11.5 million in SNAP benefits for the month of April, in addition to the typical monthly amount for April of $17.5 million. This change is primarily supported through federal funds. Maine's current SNAP participants will receive the maximum benefit allowed for their household size, as will new applicants who qualify for food supplement benefits during April and May. Benefits are typically issued between the 10th and 14th of the month.

DHHS also received federal approval to simplify and streamline the application process for SNAP benefits, such as accepting applications by phone without the need for a signature and lifting the requirement for an in-person or telephone interview.

DHHS has taken steps to ensure that Mainers receiving SNAP benefits continue to do so during this state of civil emergency, extending the recertification period and continuing benefits in cases where households did not complete reporting requirements during the months of March or April.

Strengthening Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Worker Supplement Benefits, a food benefit funded through TANF, will increase from $50 to $100 per month for March through July 2020, providing additional support to approximately 10,000 Maine households.

Additionally, DHHS now allows families who rely on TANF to request an emergency extension to continue receiving benefits beyond the 60-month lifetime limit and to reapply for TANF if their benefit previously ended due to reaching the limit. DHHS has also streamlined the application and recertification process, including conducting interviews by telephone rather than in person and lifting some documentation requirements.

TANF provides a temporary cash benefit to assist parents in meeting their families' basic needs.

If you're struggling to provide food, health care, or basic necessities for yourself or your family, pleasesee https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/documents/Accessing-Assistance-Through-Maine-DHHS.pdf" target="_blank">Accessing Assistance Through Maine DHHS (PDF)