The weather today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 84 and a low around 64. Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Here is the Garrett County Superintendent of Schools updating us on the reopening plan:
We reported earlier in the week a news note from Meet the Press. This figure has been corrected by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce:
On July 5, Meet the Press reported that Garrett County has experienced a 579% increase in travel spending since 2019 based on data from AirDNA. However, this number, as reported is not accurate and was misrepresented by the graphic used on Meet the Press.
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce spoke with AirDNA for clarification on the 579% as it would not be feasible to see that type of increase without building hundreds of new vacation rentals. Please note that the increase included in the Meet the Press report is strictly an increase in Airbnb bookings for the July 4th, holiday week. Here is the specific data provided by AirDNA:
From Elyce Behrsin, PR Associate & James Kinnersly, International Sales Manager, AirDNA:
“Just to clarify, the 579% increase in Bookings for Garrett County, MD compares New Bookings made for the days July 4 – 7, 2019 with July 3 – 6, 2020 as of June 25 in the respective year. So the growth is a comparison of year-over-year bookings for the 4th of July National vacation.
The percentage increase compares the below data points:
• As of June 25 2019, there were 128 Airbnb reservations for Garrett County, MD, with a check-in date during July 4 – 7, 2019.
• As of June 25 2020, there were 869 Airbnb reservations for Garrett County, MD, with a check-in date during July 3 – 6, 2020.”
The report on Meet The Press referred to “short-term rentals” but did not specify the data was based only on Airbnb which makes the number misrepresentative of how vacation rentals are faring. The report also used a graphic that showed it was an increase in travel spending which is completely inaccurate. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce has contacted Meet the Press with the corrections.
Garrett County Sheriff Rob Corley shared a message.
New 2020 Maryland Park Quests have been added:
- Western Maryland Rail Trail Exploration Quest
- Sang Run State Park Year of the Woman Quest
- Deep Creek Lake State Park Quest Options
Neighboring West Virginia’s governor is requiring facemasks in any public area as of July 7; similar to Garrett County’s requirement for stores and restaurants. Here’s a graphic shared by the Preston County Health Department:
