May 1, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Donations for The Brooks, Small Business Loans, &
Animal Resources

Dear Neighbors,

This has been a troubling week in the District's efforts to curb the spread
of coronavirus. Not only have we experienced a new peak in the number of
lives lost to coronavirus in a single day with 19 deaths reported on
Wednesday, but today's influx of 335 new positive cases marks the single
highest number of new cases that the District has experienced. So far,
there has not been a specific explanation as to why we've seen this
increase. It could be due to additional testing, hot spots, or wider
community spread. Nevertheless, the trends we see in the local data
underscore the need for everyone to stringently adhere to mask wearing
while in public, maintaining a 6 foot distance from those outside your
household, and to only venture from your residence for essential
activities.

Over the past week, many have reported to me (and I have witnessed myself)
an increasingly lax approach to social distancing by residents who are
exercising, shopping, or enjoying outdoor spaces such as Rock Creek Park. I
understand why residents may feel isolated and fatigued by the stringent
social distancing protocols, but these guidelines save lives. We all have a
role to play in helping to reduce exposure and limit the community spread
of coronavirus, so please stay vigilant and help share this [1]life-saving
messaging from First Lady Michelle Obama.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [2]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 [3]marycheh.com or by
emailing [4][email protected]

Donation Opportunities for The Brooks, La Casa, & the Days Inn

Pictured Above: (Left) The Ward 3 Democrats dropping off over 1,000
children's books to the The Brooks. Thank you to Ward 3 resident John
Healey for organizing the effort, to the local businesses who contributed,
and to all those who donated! (Center) Welcoming baskets arrive from the
[5]Friends & Neighbors of The Brooks group. (Right) Donated items from from
Friendship Place's [6]online wish list.

Donations for The Brooks - Since the opening of The Brooks earlier this
week, numerous residents have reached out to my office asking how they may
donate supplies, food, toys, games, clothing, and additional items for the
families and children experiencing homelessness who have joined our
community in this short-term family shelter. If you have items to donate,
please reach out to Chris Rutledge at [7][email protected].

Donations for La Casa - Friendship Place is in need of critical pantry
items for their [8]La Casa residence for highly vulnerable adult men. For
details on how to donate, please reach out
to [9][email protected].

Donations for the Days Inn- For those looking to donate meals/food, books,
masks, or other items to the staff and residents quarantining at the Days
Inn, please reach out to Scott Sibley at [10][email protected] for
information on donations and volunteering.

Expanded Small Business Loans

Attention DC Small Businesses - The federal Small Business Administration
(SBA) has expanded two programs adding $310B to the Paycheck Protection
Program and $60B to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant.

To learn how to apply
visit: [11][link removed].

Wildlife & Pet Resources during COVID-19

City Wildlife - During the coronavirus emergency, [12]City Wildlife is only
able to accept sick, injured, or orphaned animals through [13]Humane Rescue
Alliance's animal control unit. Residents will not be permitted to drop off
animals directly to the rescue center.

If a resident comes across wildlife in need, please call 202-576-6664
(24/7) for help.

Humane Rescue Alliance - The [14]Humane Rescue Alliance's Pet Pantry is
operating (with social distancing protocols) during the coronavirus public
health emergency. The Pet Pantry provides free pet food to those in need
and is intended to both supplement the pet's monthly food needs and reduce
the financial burden associated with pet care.

The Humane Rescue Alliance will be distributing food on:

May 2, May 12, May 15, May 16, & May 29

Visit [15]Humane Rescue Alliance-Pet Pantry for more information, including
the alternating times and locations of the Pet Pantry!

ReOpen DC Community Surveys

General ReOpen DC Survey - Residents are encouraged to share reopening
ideas and input with the ReOpen DC Advisory Group. The [16]ReOpen DC
Advisory Group assess community feedback in addition to providing
recommendations, expert advice, and guideline proposals for specific
industry and government sectors: [17]General Survey.

Committee-Specific ReOpen DC Survey - This survey poses a few general
questions and allows residents to share any sector-specific ideas,
concerns, or specific feedback to the ReOpen DC Committees: [18]Committee
Survey.

Open this Saturday! - The UDC Van Ness Farmer's Market is reopening this
Saturday at a new location: right in front of the UDC Student Center at
4200 Connecticut Avenue. There will be physical distancing and new safety
measures in place, including requirements for vendors and shoppers.

To safely access the market, residents must:
* Wear a mask
* Maintain social distancing (6' distance)
* Shop alone (no companions, including pets)
* Stay home if feeling ill
* Enter the one way shopping queue at the only entrance
* Exit the one way shopping queue at the only exit

Food waste drop-off will also resume at the market!

For more on the market's new safety protocols, please see: [19]The Forest
Hills Connection.

In Case You Missed It - It was announced earlier this week that the
farmer's markets new coronavirus rules/regulations have been updated to
permit vendors to sell flowers at the markets!

Big News:

The Washington Post - "...the city has reached an agreement with the
operators of George Washington University Hospital to manage a new hospital
for acute-care and specialized services in Southeast Washington scheduled
to open fall 2024.

The $375 million deal, which must be approved by the D.C. Council, would
also include new urgent care clinics east of the Anacostia River, an area
home to some of the District’s poorest and sickest residents."

      [20]Read the Full Story

Now Hiring: Contact Trace Force

[21]

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Wilson Students Celebrated by C-SPAN

Four Wilson High School students have been selected for recognition in
C-SPAN's national [22]StudentCam documentary competition! Well done,
Tigers!

Averett Hickey (3rd Place): "[23]Freedom of Speech: Not Just a Campus
Issue"

Ayomi Wolff: "[24]Shades of Crime"

Eliana Rosenthal: "[25]Protecting Immigrants: A Looming Debate In The 2020
Election"

Jonathan Morris: "[26]An Insight Into the Problem of Homelessness"

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 [27]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.

[28]Facebook [29]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

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