OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
JULY 31, 2020
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
SPORTS
47TH WHITE MARLIN OPEN
Tournament kicks off on Monday, fishing extended to Sunday because of offshore forecast – Page 59
FREE
Schools will begin with distance learning Public system will follow ‘Responsible Return’ plan with four-stage protocol
By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (July 31, 2020) The Worcester County Public School system will begin its year with distance learning, or Stage One, of its “Responsible Return” model,
Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor announced at a Thursday afternoon press conference at the board of education offices in Newark. “We recognize the significant challenges that distance learning poses for many of our students’ academic and social emotional development, which is why we intend to re-evaluate conditions every two weeks,” he said. “As those conditions allow, we hope to move into
Stage Two by Monday, Sept. 28, which will welcome back into our buildings small groups of identified students for face-to-face instruction.” In what appeared to be a show of support for the decision, also present at the conference were board of education members, the county commissioners, representatives of the county health department, the Worcester County Teachers Association and the Worcester
County Educational Support Personnel Association. Taylor thanked these organizations for their partnership and guidance in the “Responsible Return” model and the decision to return to school on Sept. 8 with virtual instruction. The school system also received feedback from more than 2,200 people about the four-stage “Responsible ReSee SCHOOL Page 4
Masks mandatory in public spaces per Hogan order
JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
NO LAUGHING Four Laughing Gulls, so named because of their call, look more bored than anything else as they practice social distancing on the Boardwalk.
Bike events canceled for 2020 By Stewart Dobson Editor (July 31, 2020) There will be no heavy metal thunder in Ocean City this September, as OC BikeFest and Delmarva Bike Week have been canceled because of covid-19 concerns. In a statement issued Wednesday, the rallies’ organizers said, “Due to Covid-19, and extensive discussions with the Town of Ocean City and
Worcester County Health Department, we have decided to postpone all activities to 2021 … This decision has been very difficult, but when it comes to the safety of all those involved, we know it is the right decision.” While the logic of promoter OC Jams is not being disputed, the year-long postponement of the Sept. 16-20 “Largest Motorcycle Rally on the East Coast” is another visceral blow to the al-
ready-suffering resort tourism industry. The yearly rendezvous of motorcycle enthusiasts draws from 150,000 to 175,000 participants and fans, making it one of the richest weekends of the year for local hotels and restaurants. “Needless to say, we are saddened to learn that Bikefest will be postponing,” said Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant See BIKE Page 4
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (July 31, 2020) Gov. Larry Hogan announced on Wednesday an expansion to his facemask order and effective Friday at 5 p.m., everyone above the age of 5 will be required to wear a mask in all public spaces of all businesses, as well as outdoors when social distancing is not possible. City Manager Doug Miller said the City Council would meet Friday to discuss the declaration and enacting an emergency ordinance to make violations a municipal infraction. “This expansion of the masking order is an action that is fact-based, apolitical and solidly grounded in science, and while it can be an inconvenience, especially in the heat, wearing a mask is the single best mitigation strategy that we have to fight the virus, and the science and the data is very clear,” Hogan said. The governor said 30 states are now requiring masks to be worn in public, and members of his coronavirus recovery team, both scientists and business representatives, recommended the move. Cases are on the rise in several states and the federal government has named 21 states as red zones, urging those See HOGAN Page 5