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Friend --
At times, responding to this pandemic has been a bit like building
the plane while flying it. Between rapidly expanding unemployment
insurance, creating new business grants, and transitioning as many
voters as possible from in-person voting to mail-in ballots, there are
a lot of unprecedented and big changes happening fast. And, as you've
probably noticed, it hasn't always gone smoothly. I know and share how
frustrating this is. Trust me when I say these are issues my team and
I, as well as thousands of DC government employees, are working to fix
as quickly as possible. Please have patience, but also communicate
with us about what you're seeing, especially if they are urgent issues
for you. I know folks are anxious, are hurting, and may have urgent
bills to pay. My whole team has been working hard to address and solve
problems.
I am confident we'll get these glitches fixed, but I know in the
meantime, it's very frustrating and it can add to the anxiety we are
all facing each day.
Quick Links: Unemployment for
Contractors and Gig Workers| Expanded Testing
for COVID-19| What the District's Finances
Look Like | Free Counseling "Warm Line"
|Stay At Home Extended | How
to Vote By Mail | Census, Census,
Census | Volunteer With Neighborhood
Groups | Community, Online | Diapers Help | Groceries
Help
Unemployment Application for 1099 and Independent
Contractors Now Open: Starting Friday, DC's Department of
Employment Services can accept applications for individuals who are
self-employed or independent contractors. This comes following the
Federal CARES act, which made the change to allow DC to provide
unemployment insurance to this group of workers. Still, while the
website has launched, it has some steps in the application that are
causing confusion. A heads-up on a few issues we've seen:
- As a matter of process, you need to fill out first DC's Unemployment
Insurance form and then the PUA
(Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) application. Please note, while
DC's form will say you are ineligible -- your application will still
be processed!
- You will need to provide documentation of any 2019/2020 wages,
which is a federal requirement. You can submit a 1099, tax return, or
pay stub.
- If you previously applied and were denied, you will need to
re-apply.
-
PUA is effective January 27, 2020 through December 31,
2020.
- There's a technical glitch in the DC application when uploading
Weekly Certificate Forms as part of enrolling in backpay. It seems
like a good workaround is to print-to-PDF each form and upload each
week's form as a PDF.
-
Individuals who are typically ineligible for regular UI
(i.e. independent contractors, gig workers, those with
insufficient work history) who cannot work due to COVID-19 are
eligible for a maximum of 39 weeks of benefits, which includes $600 in
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
- Right now, it takes about 21 days to process unemployment claims
and get benefits to residents. DC has brought a second call center
online to process the claims, and that time is decreasing.
 DC Opens a Second Testing Site, Expands Testing
to *Some* Asymptomatic Patients: This week the Mayor
announced the opening of a second public testing site in the District
at UDC-Bertie Backus Campus is now available for public testing on
Tuesdays and Thursdays for free. Additionally, eligibility for testing
has been expanded by the Department of Health to include people who
are not displaying any symptoms, but have been exposed to someone else
diagnosed with COVID-19. Here's how to register for a test (you cannot
do on-site registration):
- An appointment is required and must be scheduled through the
Testing Triage Call Center by calling 1-855-363-0333.
- The Testing Triage Call Center hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm,
Monday through Friday.
- The Call Center evaluation will include individuals answering
pre-screening questions regarding their signs and symptoms.
- If the individual meets the testing criteria, the individual will
receive additional information about testing and what to bring to the
site on the day of their appointment.
- There is no on-site registration at UMC or UDC-CC Bertie Backus
Campus. An individual who does not pre-register will not receive a
test.
- Here is a link to all the places in the District offering testing:
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testing
 Update on the District's Finances: On
Friday afternoon, the Chief Financial Officer presented an updated
look at the District's finances for the remainder of this year and
next fiscal year. With so much of our economy on pause while we
flatten the curve, the District is understandably taking a big
financial hit. At the same time, we’re creating new spending to
mitigate the fallout with expanded unemployment insurance, small
business grants, and keeping a limited number of essential District
services running. As we approach the budget process this year, it is
shaping up to be a painful one. There are many questions with this
news, and we don’t have all the answers yet, but I'll certainly be
working on ways to engage Ward 6 residents to make sure your voice is
heard and reflected in the decisions the Council ultimately makes.
Also of concern, for the last few weeks, I’ve been saying the recovery
is likely to take two more years - and the CFO’s analysis seems to
support that. Here are a few top line items from the
presentation:
- The CFO is estimating this will be a two-year recovery on a very
broad scale, changing our projected GDP growth from +2% to
-3.8%.
- Sales tax receipts will see the biggest drop, with essentially 56%
of sales tax frozen.
- The District is facing a $722 million loss this year and more than
$1.2 billion next year. One way to think about this is the drop in
revenue we are projecting has basically wiped out the growth the
District experienced in the last three years combined.
- As a reminder, this is an estimated forecast. Like any other
estimate, it is based on certain assumptions and predictions and it
could change for the better or the worse.
-
Here's
the full presentation from the CFO.
While this is obviously a very serious financial forecast, the
District is entering this crisis in just about the best financial
position we could. We had a full reserve fund to help in just such a
crisis and carried significant surplus revenue from last year to this
year.
Related: I'll be releasing my plan to take public input on
the proposed budget for every agency under the Committee on the
Judiciary and Public Safety shortly. Like every other aspect of life,
we won't be able to hold traditional public hearings as everything
will be streamed online. More to come, but we certainly want to hear
from residents and advocacy groups on what the priorities are in a
much tighter budget than in recent years.
Feeling Stressed, Anxious, And Need to Talk? Talk
with a clinician anytime in DC by calling 1-888-7WE-HELP
(1-888-793-4397). It's hard right now. Even if you're staying in and
working, it's hard. If you've lost a loved one or a friend or a job,
it's hard. Talking it out helps. Here's information on how you can
reach someone. This is a free service, considered a "warm line"
meaning it's available just to help with stuff that might not rise to
emergency, but it's certainly bothering you. It's okay to call and
talk with someone who can offer a sympathetic ear and sound
advice.
Reminder - Stay At Home Extended Until May 15, School Year
Ending May 29: The Mayor has extended her Stay at Home order
until May 15, which includes the closure and modifications for most
businesses not deemed essential. I think we all knew this was
inevitable, but it is still hard for all of us. I'd encourage you, as
you are able, to keep supporting our local businesses with whatever
purchases you need. We want them with us on the other side of this,
but it's going to take both government and community support. And let
this be a reminder, we aren't out of the woods by any means. Physical
distancing is CRUCIAL right now as we head into higher demand on our
health care system. Stay home. Save lives.
Related: Wearing a face mask does not replace the need to
stay six feet away from everyone else when you are out in public. And
please limit your trips to essential trips only.
 Request Your Absentee Ballot Today. Glitches
Are Being Worked Out: The District has a Presidential and
Local Primary Election coming up on June 2. We've dramatically shifted
how DC residents can still vote. You can request a mail-in ballot and
vote from your couch! There have been a few glitches that the Board of
Elections is working to fix, but I'll flag them here so you know:
- Most people are not receiving an email confirmation after
requesting an absentee ballot. Your request has still been received. I
recommend taking a screenshot of the confirmation page that does pop
up after submitting your request.
- The Vote 4 DC App works much better on iPhones than Android
phones. Unfortunately, I don't think that's something that will be
fixed in time for this Primary Election.
- The Track My Ballot feature generally works, but it often takes a
week or longer before it is updated with new requests.
- The Board of Elections has repeatedly assured residents their
applications are being received.
- Ballots will be mailed out in early May.
- You must be a registered voter to receive a mail-in ballot. Here's
where you can register: https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Register
- If you have an issue, there are a few ways to engage BOE. On
Twitter, tag @Vote4DC.
Over phone, you can call 202-741-5283. Over email, send a
note to [email protected]. Of
course, let me and my team know if you're having issues.
 Take the Census! Take the Census! Take the
Census! Now that I've asked three times, will you take the
Census if you haven't already? So much is at stake in how the Census
counts different states' population changes - including funding levels
for many federal programs. Take the Census now and ensure you and your
family are counted in our community. Right now, ANC 6E (Shaw, Mt.
Vernon Triangle) and ANC 6D (Southwest) are a little behind the rest
of the Ward in participation - check out the map on participation
rates as of mid-April to the right. But we can all do more! Here's
how you can fill out the Census, which only takes about 10
minutes, from your home. If you are at home all day, take a moment and
call a friend or neighbor, catch up with them, and remind them to do
the Census.
Community Events Happening Virtually!
-
Literary Hill Bookfest is Coming Up on May 3: Yes, Ward 6's
Literary Hill Bookfest is still happening on May 3 - albeit virtually.
Get
the details here!
-
Pearl Street Warehouse Free Streamed Shows: Itching for some
live music? Pearl Street Warehouse has a schedule of streamed
performances: https://www.pearlstreetwarehouse.com/
-
Folger Shakespeare Library Marked 200th Birthday Online: If
you missed it, Ward 6's own Folger Shakespeare Theater had a day-long
virtual celebration of Shakespeare's 200th birthday, including some
very interesting conversations you can still find here.
COVID-19 Resources in Ward
6: My staff and I are keeping a running list of resources
available for Ward 6 residents on my website. That includes
information on free daily meals for students and senior residents,
free groceries and diapers, how to volunteer, how to get tested if you
are symptomatic, and more. If there's something you'd like to see
added or corrected, reach out to Erik Salmi on my team
([email protected]): http://www.charlesallenward6.com/covid_19_info
Here's Who To Support Financially
or By Volunteering: I know many folks are looking for ways to
be helpful during these hard times. If you find yourself with a lot of
time and you are healthy and able to volunteer, these are groups that
can put you to work. I cannot emphasize enough, however, that if you
are not feeling well at all, please do not volunteer. And if you are
fortunate enough to be in a position to make donations, these are
organizations helping put food on the table and meet other needs for
your neighbors right here in Ward 6 and across the District:
-
Table
Church DC (via Ward 6 neighbors): Started by Ward 6
neighbor Allison McGill, this is a great effort pairing volunteers
with residents who need help with a range of needs, including just
someone to run to the store for them.
-
Ward
6 Mutual Aid Network: Started by Ward 6 neighbor Maurice
Cook and Serve Your City, this is a group collecting and
redistributing food and other essential items for neighbors.
-
DC
Medical Reserve Corps: Organized by the DC Government,
here's a way to help out as our medical response scales up.
-
DC Public Schools: In need of volunteers
to help keep running their many meal sites for kids in DC during
school closures! Please fill out the linked survey.
-
Capital Area Food Bank: In
critical need of volunteers to help sort and pack food in their
warehouse and assist at their offsite food distributions
-
Food and Friends DC: In urgent
need of extra volunteers throughout the coming weeks. There are two
volunteer opportunities, food preparation and packaging and meal and
grocery delivery
-
Food Rescue US: Volunteers with
vehicles needed to pick up and deliver food from businesses to DC
residents in need
-
Grace’s Table: Looking for
volunteers to help feed the homeless each Saturday
-
Martha’s Table: Volunteers needed
to help prepare and bag food for their emergency food sites across the
city
-
We Are Family: Volunteer to
deliver groceries to seniors.
-
Food for All DC: Volunteer to drive
groceries to seniors, immunocompromised, and other DC neighbors who
are homebound. Volunteer here.
-
Aunt Bertha: Aunt Bertha’s network
connects people seeking help and verified social care providers that
serve them by zip code. Contact your local shelter to see what help
and/or items may be needed
Free diapers:
Free groceries for residents:
-
Ten DC School Sites Distributing Free Groceries Each Week:
I mentioned this above, but sharing here as well. Ten DCPS
meal locations are now distributing groceries as well as student
meals. Every Monday is Eastern High School's day to distribute in
Ward.
-
Martha's Table: Daily grocery distribution at 2nd and
H Street, from 5:15-5:45 pm. Donate here to support their work: https://marthastable.networkforgood.com/projects/95536-martha-s-table-martha-s-table-expanded-programs-covid-19
-
Capital Area Food Bank: Behind many good nonprofits
is the CAFB, supplying many groceries from bulk purchasing to food
pantries across the region. Help them today: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/donate/
-
Father McKenna Center Grocery Pantry Now Open: One of
the programs partnering with the Capital Area Food Bank is the Father
McKenna Center at 900 North Capitol St., NW. Information
on how to support or receive groceries here.
-
H Street Food Drive for Ward 5-6 Neighbors:
Contactless food/groceries available for neighbors who need some extra
assistance. They also offer contactless food delivery for anyone in
the area that needs it, especially elderly, single parents, those with
special needs. Drop off or Send Non-Perishable Food Deliveries To: @maketto1351 |
Attention: H ST. NE FOOD DRIVE | 1351 H ST. NE, Washington, D.C.
20002. Send all monetary donations To: PayPal: PayPal.me/CHRiSCARDi
| Venmo: @ChrisCardi
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Pick up at Maketto: 1351 H Street, NE
Monday – Saturday:
7:30am – 9:30pm
Sunday: 7:30am -5pm
- If in need of delivery assistance text 202-681-3532.
Please Call 911 If You have Serious Health
Emergencies: One of the challenges we are seeing is many
people are hesitant to call 911 if it isn't related to COVID-19.
Please, if you need emergency medical care, do not hesitate to call
911. Here's
an op-ed on the challenge.
Related: I can't believe I have to say this, but after the
President floated the dangerous and wrong idea of injecting or
consuming cleaning supplies or bleach to treat COVID-19, please,
please, please do not put any cleaning products in your body. I don't
care if he says he was being sarcastic, there's no excuse for that
kind of reckless language. There is no known cure or vaccine and you
won't find it under the kitchen sink.
Stay safe!
Charles Allen
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