Dear Ward 8 Residents,
The residents of Ward 8 are concerned about COVID-19 and the immediate financial impact and health implications it may have their families.
I want to reassure residents that we are in this together. On Tuesday, March 17th, a lot of hard work went into the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. I want to thank Chairman Phil Mendelson, my colleagues and staff for their contribution to the legislation.
My staff and I, provided feedback and text on 11 of the almost 30 sections of the COVID-19 Emergency Response bill. We submitted 15 specific concerns and requested relief for Ward 8 residents.
Nine requests were included. Below are some of the highlights:
- Extension of unemployment compensation because of the COVID-19, small business grant that includes non-profits, independent contractors or self-employed individuals determined ineligible for unemployment insurance.
- Extension of public benefits like TANF and SNAP until 60 days after the end of the public health emergency.
- Prohibition of the disconnection of electric, gas and water services for non-payment during the public health emergency or 15 calendar days thereafter.
- Allowance for prescription drug refills.
- Extending TOPA deadlines and prohibitions of landlords charging late fees.
- Prohibition of eviction during a declared public health emergency by the Mayor.
I also supported the following amendments regarding critical measures that ensure the health and housing wellbeing of Ward 8 communities:
- Providing additional resources for United Medical Center to appropriately respond to COVID-19.
- Adding much needed resources as the District’s public hospital, private hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, long-term acute care facilities, primary care providers, and other health care providers need during these urgent times.
- Ensuring the prohibition of accruing late fees on rent payments during the public health emergency.
- Staying of non-judicial foreclosures and reciprocity of e-notarization during the public health emergency.
In addition to the above amendments,I also submitted an amendment that provides the Office of Attorney General with the authority to enforce the provisions related to utilities that the Council set forth in the emergency legislation.
Lastly, I strongly believe that it is our responsibility to be transparent in the reporting of the testing available and the cases reported within all the communities. I will be overseeing this effort to make sure equitable reporting of health concerns at the neighborhood level is practiced. For that, I ask that residents continue to seek information from the DC Health's website
coronavirus.dc.gov.
Regards,
Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
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A 65-year-old woman died on Saturday night after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to D.C. health officials. It was announced Sunday that she is the second person in the district to die from the virus.
The patient was admitted to a local hospital with underlying health conditions. The first person to die of COVID-19 in D.C. was a 59-year-old man who also had an underlying health condition.
There were 98 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in D.C. as of Saturday night. Mayor Muriel Bowser is expected to address the city Monday afternoon about the ongoing pandemic.
See article at NBCWashington.com
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All schools will be closed from March 16th through April 24th. Beginning March 23rd, students will participate in distance learning and classes will resume on Monday, April 27th. For more information, please visit dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus.
Meals will be available, for anyone under the age of 18, every weekday at sites across the District. Below is a listing of Ward 8 locations.
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Guidance for Being Outside
Preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) requires that everyone in our community be mindful and vigilant about social distancing. Social distancing is a practice that involves keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people in order to prevent the transfer of the virus that causes COVID-19. Many healthy adults may be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, which might result in them silently passing the virus to other people who might become extremely sick from COVID-19 (such as adults and children with chronic health conditions and older adults). This is why it is so important for everyone to practice social distancing right now.
However, keep in mind that you can remain active while also keeping yourself, your family, and your community safe from COVID-19 through social distancing. Here are some things you can do:
Be hygienic:
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Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before leaving the house and after returning home from outdoor exercise or activities.
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Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating or touching your face.
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Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth, and nose.
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Avoid spitting in public.
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Shower after returning home from using shared outdoor exercise equipment.
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Small Business Resources
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has accepted the District of Columbia’s declaration for assistance in the form of economic injury disaster loans following the advent of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and DC businesses can start applying now. While the SBA directly administers this loan program, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), led by Director Kristi Whitfield, will liaise with the SBA on behalf of the District of Columbia.
Apply Online
Questions?
Call the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center
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