The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced that the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, in partnership with the State Board of Elections (SBE), will be assigning volunteer Health Ambassadors to polling places across Maryland in order to help keep both voters and poll workers safe.

Health Ambassadors will help reinforce public guidance for maintaining social distance and wearing face coverings, distribute masks to individuals in nee of one, provide guidance on proper face mask use, and administer hand sanitize and disinfect high-touch areas.

From the Southern Maryland Chronicle:

“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 are required to complete training to become a Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer as well as additional training on assisting at poll sites. 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.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.