October 26, 2020
Media Contact:
Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536
Charlie Gischlar, Deputy Director, Media Relations, 443-463-7234
Maryland Department of Health assigns Health Ambassadors to polling places statewide
Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced today that the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, in cooperation with the State Board of Elections (SBE), will be assigning volunteer Health Ambassadors to polling places in multiple jurisdictions throughout the state to help keep voters and poll workers protected from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps is a statewide network of medical and public health professionals, health care students and other volunteers that is overseen by the MDH Office of Preparedness and Response. Their mission is to support public health initiatives and response capabilities in Maryland by volunteering their skills, expertise and time to assist the state and their communities in a crisis.
“With early voting beginning today and Election Day fast approaching on November 3, many voters are still expressing doubts about the safety of voting in person during this pandemic,” said MDH Secretary Robert R. Neall. “Having volunteer Health Ambassadors onsite at the polls will help ensure that everyone is doing their part to keep Marylanders safe and healthy.”
From October 26 through Election Day, Health Ambassadors will be assigned to polling places in jurisdictions that have requested assistance from the Board of Elections, including Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Harford County, Carroll County and Worcester County.
Health Ambassadors will:
● Reinforce public guidance for maintaining social distance and wearing face coverings
● Provide guidance on how to properly wear face coverings
● Distribute masks to people who need one
● Administer hand sanitizer and disinfect high-touch areas
“We are honored to assist the State Board of Elections in providing Health Ambassadors who can help keep voters, poll workers and anyone else onsite at Maryland polling places protected from COVID-19 or other infectious disease, while our residents exercise their right to vote,” said Jonathan Caudle, Maryland Responds State Coordinator.
Health Ambassadors complete required training to become a Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer. They also receive additional training to assist at polling sites.
To become a Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps volunteer or Health Ambassador, visit https://mdr.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Home.aspx.
To download signage about COVID-19 safety at polling locations, visit https://health.maryland.gov/preparedness/Pages/Download-.aspx.
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.
Follow us on Twitter @MDHealthDept and at Facebook.com/MDHealthDept.
