“In the past few weeks we have seen the pace of this pandemic accelerate.
Community residents need to be diligent about key infection prevention measures – wear face coverings indoors and outside, social distance, wash hands, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Stay tough and committed for the months ahead.
We need everyone to help our community overcome this disease.â€
– Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer.
Community Update: August 14, 2020
Dear community members:
This week, St. Mary’s County reached an unfortunate milestone: 1,054 confirmed cases of COVID-19. We have been fortunate so far not to have any known cases of the virus in our community. That can change any day, at any moment. Please continue to avoid close contact with others, wear a facemask, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, clean and disinfect often, and be alert for symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.
COVID-19 Community Hotline:
For the latest COVID-19 information and statistics, including the availability of free testing, call the COVID-19 Community Hotline at 301-475-4911, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Feeling Low? Talk to Someone Now:
Living through a global health pandemic has not been easy on anyone. If you need someone to talk to, help is just a phone call away.
- SAMHSA National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – This is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- NAMI HelpLine – 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or [email protected] – This is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers.
No Animals at Large – a Leonardtown Law
According to the town code, it is unlawful for any person to allow his or its animal to be at large. This means that dogs are not permitted to be off-leash anywhere in town. Letting dogs run off leash on any commercial property is considered a public nuisance and is subject to fines that increase with every offense. The businesses adjacent to Cedar Lane have been cooperative and obliging neighbors, giving us permission to use their parking lots when we are staging outdoor events. Please be respectful to their businesses in return and do not let dogs off leash.
St. Mary’s County Election Office to Relocate
The St. Mary’s County Election Office will be relocating to the old Leonardtown Library at 23250 Hollywood Road in Leonardtown August 17-21. During the transition, residents with questions should call 301-475-4200, ext. 1625 and leave a voicemail. Calls will be returned within 24 hours. However, matters requiring immediate assistance may be directed to Wendy Adkins, Director for the Election Office at 301-904-8346.
Upcoming Move-ins and Move-outs at Cedar Lane
A new neighbor will be moving into the Church Building (third floor) with the assistance of professional movers or family members on Saturday, August 15, 2020. To limit any potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus, we suggest you remain in your apartment on this date between the hours of 12:00 Noon and 3:00 p.m. while the move takes place. If you can’t stay in, please practice social distancing. Your new neighbor has agreed to self-quarantine for 14-days.
A neighbor will also be moving out of the Church Building (fourth floor) with the assistance of movers or family members on Monday, August 17. If you are able to remain in your apartment between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. please do so. If you must go out, please practice social distancing.
Non-residents assisting with these moves will be required to wear a mask, complete the health screening and temperature check at the front desk, and proceed straight to the apartment where the move is taking place. We will clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces again after their departure. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to accommodate important resident moves while safeguarding the rest of the community.
The Big Raffle is On!
Friends of Cedar Lane has launched this year’s cash raffle fundraiser, with $12,000 in cash prizes up for grabs including a $10,000 Grand Prize. Board members and staff members are selling tickets to raise money for special treats and programs here at Cedar Lane. You’re welcome to enter and win too! Tickets are $100 each. Only 400 tickets will be sold. With six cash drawings, every ticket has a 1 in 66 chance of being a winner! To purchase tickets, call the Front Desk and ask for Wanda.
Beware of Scams Related to the Coronavirus
Scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to con people into giving up their money. Here are a few coronavirus-specific scams to look out for.
Scams offering COVID-19 vaccine, cure, air filters, testing
At this time, there is neither a vaccine nor a cure for this virus. If you receive a phone call, email, text message, or letter with claims to sell you any of these items–it’s a scam.
Fake coronavirus-related charity scams
If you are able to help financially, visit the website of the organization of your choice to make sure your money is going to the right place. And be wary if you get a call following up on a donation pledge that you don’t remember making–it could be a scam.
“Person in need†scams
Scammers could use the circumstances of the coronavirus to pose as a grandchild, relative or friend who claims to be ill, stranded in another state or foreign country, or otherwise in trouble, and ask you to send money. They may ask you to send cash by mail or buy gift cards. These scammers often beg you keep it a secret and act fast before you ask questions. Don’t panic! Take a deep breath and get the facts. Don’t send money unless you’re sure it’s the real person who contacted you. Hang up and call your grandchild or friend’s phone number to see if the story checks out. You could also call a different friend or relative to check the caller’s story.
Scams targeting your Social Security benefits
While local Social Security Administration (SSA) offices are closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns, SSA will not suspend or decrease Social Security benefit payments or Supplemental Security Income payments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Scammers may mislead people into believing they need to provide personal information or pay by gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or by mailing cash to maintain regular benefit payments during this period. Any communication that says SSA will suspend or decrease your benefits due to COVID-19 is a scam, whether you receive it by letter, text, email, or phone call. Report Social Security scams to the SSA Inspector General online at oig.ssa.gov.
The bottom line on scams
The best defense is to say NO if:
• Anyone contacts you and asks for your Social Security number, bank account number, credit card information, Medicare ID number, or drivers license number.
• Anyone contacts you asking for any other personally identifiable information by phone, in person, by text message, or email.
• Someone you don’t know contacts you and requests money through a Peer to Peer (P2P) payment app like Venmo or Zelle or through pre-paid gift cards. These methods transfer funds immediately with little recall or retrieval capabilities and can be hard to trace, often making them the preferred choice of scammers.
• Someone you don’t know sends you a check, maybe for prize-winnings or for the sale of goods and asks you to send a portion of the money back.
• Something doesn’t feel right to you. Trust your gut and reserve the right to say no if it sounds too good to be true.
Make sure you protect your financial health! Cedar Lane’s Service Coordinators are available to help you identify and report scams to the appropriate authorities.
Did You Know?
On this date in 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating a government pension system for retired citizens. The first social security check, number 00-000-01 was issued to Ida Mae Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont for $22.54. Thanks President Roosevelt!
Sincerely,
Beverly Stickles
President & CEO