Dear Ward 8 Residents,

Over the weekend, I was nervous about my COVID-19 test results, however, God has been good to me yet again reporting a negative result. I risk my life and my family’s life every day I go out to serve the community.

These negative results are not the case for 142,793 confirmed cased reported in the United States (2,490 deaths) and the 401 cases (9 deaths) confirmed in the District. We must stay in prayer and take proper precautions. Always remember, “Fear and God cannot operate in the same space.” --Baba Dick Gregory.

I ask that you continue to seek information from the DC Health's website
coronavirus.dc.gov ([link removed]) and tune in daily to the Mayor's press conference each morning at 11:00 am. We will get through this together.

Regards,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
COVID-19 UPDATES AS OF 3/29/20 ()

Yesterday, as of 8PM, the District reported 59 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of overall positive cases to 401. Sadly, the District also reported four deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total deaths attributed to COVID-19 to nine. The deaths reported were reported were of a 39-year old male, a 65-year old male, a 68-year old male, and a 73-year old male.

Information on the age and gender of the new positive cases is available here ([link removed]) .

For data on testing at our Public Health Laboratory and reported information from outside laboratories, please seehttps://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/coronavirus-data.

Mayor Bowser announced that the District received a Major Disaster Declaration ([link removed]) from the federal government through FEMA which will provide assistance to the District’s Emergency Response Services, residents, and businesses.

At 5pm Mayor Bowser will be hosting a Tele-townhall ([link removed]) for business leaders who have been impacted by, or have questions about, COVID-19.

As of 3/29/2020 8PM - CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Yesterday, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District of Columbia has received a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. [link removed]


Number of people tested overall: 3,086

Number of DC’s overall positive cases: 401

Change from yesterday: +59

Total number of deaths: 9

Change from yesterday: +4

DOES DIRECTOR ANSWERS QUESTIONS LIVE ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ()
[link removed]
Answering your Unemployment Insurance questions with Director Unique Morris-Hughes from the Department of Employment Services.
BEWARE OF UTILITY SCAMMERS ()
Pepco Warns Customers About Utility Scammers
During COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 26, 2020) – With the District of Columbia, Maryland and the world experiencing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pepco is reminding customers to always be on alert for potential scams targeting energy customers. Scams occur throughout the year, but the company has seen an increase in scam attempts with scammers using this health crisis to take advantage of energy customers throughout the United States. The company has received reports that scammers are threatening to shut service off, and also are offering cash or credit incentives in order to obtain a customer’s personal or financial information.

"It is unfortunate that scammers are using the public’s concerns around health and financial uncertainty to deceive and further harm our customers,” said Derrick Dickens, senior vice president and Chief Customer Officer for Pepco Holdings. “We want to provide our customers with tools and information that can help ward off would be scammers and help put a stop to these ongoing scamming attempts.”

In some cases, scammers are duplicating the recorded message that customers hear when calling a legitimate company, so when customers call the number provided by the scammer, it sounds like an actual business. Some scammers also use caller ID "spoofing" to replicate an energy company’s phone number.

Throughout the year, Pepco takes steps to raise awareness among its customers, including posting tips to social media, adding alerts on the pepco.com ([link removed]) homepage, issuing news releases, and participating annually in Utilities United Against Scams Day ([link removed]) in March and November. Any customer who believes he or she has been the target of a scam is
urged to contact their local police and call Pepco immediately at 202-833-7500 to report the situation.

Don’t Get Scammed: Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few precautions
0. Never provide your social security number or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a company representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than Pepco.
1. Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any Pepco worker into your home or business.
2. Never make a payment for services to anyone coming to your door.


How to protect yourself
* Pepco representatives will never ask or require a customer with a past due balance to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
* Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank withdrawal or by mail.
* Customers with a past due balance will receive multiple shut off notifications – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.
* If a customer ever questions the legitimacy of the call, hang up and call Pepco at 202-833-7500.


It is important to remind customers again of the many energy assistance programs available to help meet their energy needs. Pepco offers a number of programs ([link removed]) to help customers in the District of Columbia ([link removed](DC).aspx&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb776d2c0bdca4f36a1b108d7d27876ac%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637209287134351335&sdata=r%2FJJI6rJay56rYkK%2BMSlIZhG%2BHPT3gqnPtUZZi1i6vs%3D&reserved=0) and Maryland
([link removed](MD).aspx&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb776d2c0bdca4f36a1b108d7d27876ac%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637209287134361327&sdata=y7ru%2B3NBpLXKgPO9%2FqbRpxiqG%2Bh8EFCPMTAKlras1W4%3D&reserved=0) through temporary or extended financial hardship. Additionally, Pepco is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges at least until May 1 ([link removed]) and working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options. Pepco is also working with
residents whose service was previously disconnected to have service restored ([link removed]) . Those customers should contact the company at 202-833-7500. As part of the reconnection process, Pepco Customer Care representatives will work with residents to help identify assistance programs that can supplement bill payment and can help ensure service remains on after this pandemic.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source ([link removed]) , Pepco’s online newsroom. For more information about Pepco, visit pepco.com ([link removed]) . Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/pepcoconnect ([link removed]) and on
Twitter at twitter.com/pepcoconnect ([link removed]) . Our mobile app is available at pepco.com/mobileapp ([link removed]) .

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Pepco is a unit of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation’s leading energy provider, with approximately 10 million customers. Pepco provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 894,000 customers in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
RESOURCES TO ASSIST UTILITY CUSTOMERS IMPACTED BY COVID-19 ()
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2020
Contact: Kellie Didigu, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , 202-626-5124

Commission Launches Resource to Assist Utility Consumers
Impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Utility disconnections prohibited and late fees waived by emergency legislation

Washington, D.C. —The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) has launched an online resource page ([link removed]) to keep the public abreast of actions taken in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and to ensure that consumers have access to safe and reliable utility service. The resource page provides up-to-date information regarding government operations, utility response efforts, and our decisions.

The Commission is also playing an active role in supporting the Mayor, D.C. Council, and local health officials to ensure that District consumers have access to utility service through special initiatives, including:
1. Utility Disconnections: The D.C. Council passed the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 prohibiting the disconnection of electric and gas services for non-payment of fees during the current public health emergency and for 15 days following the end of the emergency for all customers.
2. Utility Reconnections: Pepco will be reconnecting residential customers who have had their electric service disconnected in the last 12 months to help ensure access to safe and healthy environments.
3. Waiver of Late Fees: Pepco, Washington Gas and Verizon are waiving late payment fees and offering payment arrangement. Pepco is also identifying energy assistance options for eligible consumers.
4. Energy Suppliers Door-to-Door Marketing Moratorium: The Commission has requested that all electric and natural gas suppliers and their third-party marketing companies immediately discontinue all door-to-door solicitation and marketing efforts.

“The COVID-19 health emergency has disrupted life in the District of Columbia, and the Commission is committed to ensuring access to essential utility services for all District residents and businesses. In response, we have launched a resource page to keep our consumers and stakeholders informed of all utility related response efforts and Commission actions,” stated Willie L. Phillips, Commission Chairman.

For more information, visit the Commission’s COVID-19 resource page at [link removed]

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia is an independent agency established by Congress in 1913 to regulate electric, natural gas, and telecommunications companies in the District of Columbia.

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VIRTUAL LIBRARY PROGRAMS ()

DC Public Library staff are continuing to engage with customers digitally, including live programs as well as engaging content shared on the library’s website and social media channels.

Download Virtual Library Schedule Here ([link removed])
CHECK CORONAVIRUS.DC.GOV EVERYDAY ()
Please visit [link removed] ([link removed]) daily for the most reliable
citywide updates.

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Ward 8 Outreach

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