April 29, 2020

Coronavirus Update:

Dear Neighbors,

Today I'm very pleased to share a number of positive developments with the
community. This morning, it was announced that an additional $8 million in
funding was identified for the local small business grant program. This is
a significant enhancement to the original $25 million that was designated
to support our small business community. As there were over 7,000
applicants in the original pool, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for
Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) will not reopen the grant
application, but will continue to award grants through the existing
applications.

The District has also [1]expanded the coronavirus testing criteria to those
who may not exhibit symptoms, but who meet other new eligibility criteria.
This lower threshold for testing includes experiencing close proximity
exposure to a known positive case, working in a critical infrastructure or
essential worker position, living in a long-term care facility with a known
positive patient, and other, more typical, health-related criteria such as
having underlying health conditions coupled with mild symptoms of illness.
The District is also working towards making antibody testing available by
the end of next week. DC Health is in the midst of identifying the most
reliable and accurate test, and have emphasized that those who test
positive for antibodies are not necessarily immune to coronavirus. So, if
you do test positive for antibodies, please continue to protect yourself
and our community by following social distancing protocols.

And finally, I'm very pleased to share that [2]The Brooks, Ward 3's
short-term family shelter, has opened. The Brooks will provide a safe and
secure home for local parents and children who need it most. There are
coronavirus screening protocols in place for new residents, and we can all
agree that the safety and wellbeing of the children who live there is the
top priority. I previously toured the building and can attest that it is
both attractive and welcoming. And, under the management by our wonderful
community partner, [3]Friendship Place, I am confident that the families
who locate there will have the services and support they need to get back
on their feet.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [4]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [5]marycheh.com or by
emailing [6][email protected]

Days Inn Operations Update

New Operational Information - The Executive has provided my office with
additional operational details of the quarantine site at the Days Inn for
our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. For those of you who may
have missed last Tuesday's virtual ANC 3F meeting, Director Geldart from
the Department of Public Works, who is also managing much of the
coronavirus response, was on hand to answer community questions and
concerns about the exposed personal protective equipment (PPE), the lack of
transparency, and safety/operational issues at the site. The Forest Hills
Connection has a summary of the meeting available online: [7]Here.

While this is unfortunately [8]not the only quarantine site with management
concerns, I have been pleased with the response and renewed operational
oversight efforts by Director Geldart and his team. Here is some additional
information from the City Administrator in response to a series of
questions I've submitted on the Days Inn site:

Are residents required to remain in isolation by agreement with accepting
to quarantine there or otherwise? Everyone residing in an isolation and
quarantine site is asked to sign an agreement not to leave their room upon
arrival.

Are residents getting the medical care and attention they need? Yes. Upon
arrival, Medical staff perform an intake process. On a daily basis, medical
staff conduct wellness checks with each resident, screening for symptoms
and ensuring that any medical needs are addressed.

How many residents are there? As of 4/26, there are 125 residents at the
Days Inn.

From what agency (or third party) are the staff from and how are they
trained? Daily there are between 20-35 staff and contracted providers
on-site from the Department of Human Services (DHS), Unity Healthcare, and
contracted providers.
* DHS provides a mandatory orientation and training for staff which
includes the following sections: ISAQ overview, customer service, roles
overview, data entry, policies and procedures, PPE use, client engagement,
and client de-escalation.

What PPE are they given, how is it to be discarded, and can staff leave the
building wearing PPE? The types of PPE given depend on the role of staff,
but at minimum, include face masks and gloves. Contracted medical staff and
cleaning staff have additional PPE requirements based on duties performed.
All PPE is provided by either DHS or the contracted vendor.
* All PPE should be removed and discarded in accordance with the CDC's
recommended removal process for PPE.
* Staff and contractors may, similar to the general public, wear face
masks outside of the building.

Additional Office of Tax & Revenue (OTR) Resources

Tax Waiver Form - Businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus
public health emergency who would like to request a Real Property Tax
Penalty & Interest Waiver must submit an ASD-900 form to be considered by
OTR.
* Link to ASD-900 Form: [9][link removed]

New Webpage - OTR has also created a new webpage to help taxpayers,
businesses, and property owners remain updated on all available information
and guidance as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. OTR will update the
page as new information becomes available.
* Link to Resource Page: [10][link removed]

Friendship Place in need of Pantry Donations!

Support La Casa - For those looking for opportunities to donate during the
COVID-19 public health emergency, Friendship Place is in need of critical
pantry items for their [11]La Casa residence for highly vulnerable adult
men.

Helpful pantry items include:

Non-Perishable Items, Canned Beans, Soups, Pastas, Tuna, Spam, & Toilet
Paper

For details on how to donate, please reach out to
[12][email protected].

Mortgage Relief Emergency Amendment Act of 2020

B23-735 - The Council has passed additional legislation to ensure that the
rent and mortgage benefits included in the previously passed
[13]Supplemental Emergency Act of 2020 are implemented as intended.
Introduced by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Chair of the Council Committee
on Business and Economic Development, the legislation makes the following
clarifications:
* Clarifies that mortgage lenders are subject to the requirements of the
Supplemental Emergency Act, this includes offering mortgage payment
deferral programs to borrowers
* Requires lenders to provide notice of approved deferral applications to
the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking
* Requires that a borrower who is approved for a mortgage deferral also
provide notice to tenants
* Clarifies the rent reduction that tenants are entitled to if a landlord
receives a mortgage deferral
* Clarifies the amount that a landlord may require a tenant to repay
following the deferral period

For more on the bill, please see: [14]Mortgage Relief Emergency Amendment
Act of 2020

The Van Ness Main Street is hosting a Virtual Annual Meeting this Friday,
May 1st, to discuss the [15]2019 Annual Report and plans to help our small
local business community recover from the many economic challenges of the
coronavirus pandemic.

Speakers include Board President Sarah Cumbie, VNMS Executive Director
Gloria Garcia, Councilmember Mary Cheh, and UDC Chief Operating Officer
Troy Stovall.

Friday, May 1st, from 9:00-10:00 am

Log in to Zoom: [16][link removed]

One tap mobile: 646-876-9923, 4298099185#

Or Dial: 646-876-9923, Meeting ID: 429 809 9185

This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to join!

From Sibley Memorial Hospital & Johns Hopkins Medicine:

The [17]coronavirus pandemic is having an impact all over the world, but a
disturbing trend is evident in the U.S.: People of color, particularly
African Americans, are experiencing more serious illness and death due to
COVID-19 than white people.

Why is this happening? [18]Sherita Golden, M.D., M.H.S., a specialist in
endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, and [19]chief diversity officer at
Johns Hopkins Medicine, provides insight into this complex issue.

Read: [20]How to Fight Racial Disparity in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Attention Washington Sports Club Members

Policy Change - After numerous complaints and intervention from the
District's[21] Attorney General Karl Racine, Town Sports International, LLC
(TSI), the parent company of Washington Sports Club, has announced that
they will stop issuing unreasonable fees and charges while gyms are closed
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy change follows a [22]letter from
AG Racine and other state Attorneys General demanding the company stop
charging customers for memberships that they cannot use.

Following discussions between TSI and the states, TSI has agreed to:
* Automatically freeze all Washington Sports Club memberships, effective
as of April 8, 2020, at no cost to members
* Issue credits to members for dues and fees paid for cancellation or
freezing of accounts after the District’s order directing the closure of
health clubs first went into effect
* Honor all cancellation requests submitted by April 30th, 2020, without
charging cancellation fees or requiring advance notice
* Contact all consumers who filed complaints with the Office of the
Attorney General to resolve those individual complaints

Members may submit cancellation requests by filling out the “Contact Us”
form on the Washington Sports Club [23]website.

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Girl Scout Troop 42044 Donates Cookie Money

The incredible young leaders of Girl Scout Troop 42044 have decided to
donate their cookie money to the [24]DC Food Project to help support DC
families enrolled in the organization's Emergency Weekend Bag program.

These bags provide vital healthy food access to local children in need, and
we couldn't be prouder of the girls from Troop 42044!

To watch a message from Isabella (pictured left) on food access, please
see: [25]Go Bananas for DC Food Project.

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to [26]email the office directly or reach us via phone
through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget
requests, and constituent services requests.

[27]Facebook [28]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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