quote:

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a “stay at home” order for Maryland residents on Monday — further curtailing daily life in the Free State in hopes of slowing the spread of the new coronavirus.

“Every Marylander can be a hero, just by staying home,” Hogan, a Republican, said in a news conference outside the State House in Annapolis Monday morning.

Here’s what the order, which will be in effect starting 8 p.m. on Monday, means for state residents.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/c...uf3tztmsa-story.html

From a friend who lives in Baltimore; she's a researcher associated with the medical school in a university there. She has some critical experiments going on right now.

quote:

Our governor is closing down the state at 8PM tonight, and the dean and president are deciding if they can give me a special dispensation to spend a couple of days in the lab. I'm glad our MDs are making this decision instead of that A-Hole in the WH.

From the front lines . . .

I read the 8-page order. Apparently, I'm the only one!

It says people have to stay home except for essential things. Essential businesses will be open, non-essential ones will be closed. No change there.

You'd never know it from the traffic! I was out doing my run, and the streets are jammed. People, people, people. Grocery stores will be open tomorrow, and they won't be jam packed. Pick up that carton of milk tomorrow.

And whoever wrote this edict didn't think it through. It lists various forms of recreation that will be forbidden. The list includes golf, driving ranges, miniature golf, ice skating, playground equipment, and so forth. Then there is a catch-all forbidding any recreational activities for which the state tax on recreation would normally apply.

Yeah. Um. The county-owned and school-owned outdoor tennis courts are free, so there is no fee or tax. Tennis is also not listed among the specific recreational activities. And even if they were covered, there is an exception for gatherings of 10 people or fewer, which would apply to tennis -- even doubles.

Yesterday, I was out and about and took a look at the closest bank of four courts. They were full, with people waiting to get on.

And I think my morning exercise group has continued without the instructor. I think, judging by the picture I saw, that they have separated into two parking lots and maintained social distance.

Cindy -- who got new running shoes from Zappos that feel wonderful

I didn't realize Virginia and D.C. were shutting down also. Title amended.

https://www.politico.com/news/...e-order-hogan-155610

Yup, the whole region.

The MD governor issued guidance about some things that were unclear in the original order (e.g. "boating" is not considered exercise).

It makes clear that outdoor exercise that maintains social distance is permitted.

I'll be interested to see what it looks like today on my walk-about.

Oh, and Middle Sphinx, who lives in NC, wants to come home. She is working remotely and is missing us. NC doesn't have a stay-at-home order, so she was thinking she would drive up with her boyfriend and her 70-pound dog and hang with us.

I told her if she did she would have to stay for the duration, which could be a month.

What I didn't tell her is that I don't want her to come for a non-Covid reason: She is super messy and unwilling to help with housework. I do not wish to spend a month cleaning up after her and her dog.

Fortunately, the Governor's guidance saved me. It says that anyone coming into the state has to self-quarantine for 14 days. Neither of them will want to have to stay in the basement for two weeks.

Whew!