May 14, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Emergency Extension & ReOpen DC Metrics

Dear Neighbors,

Mayor Bowser has extended the District's the public health emergency and
stay-at-home order through Monday, Jun 8th. While this will maintain the
social distancing mandate and closure of non-essential businesses, the
Mayor indicated at yesterday's press briefing that she has the ability to
be flexible with the Order's requirements should the District see strong
indicators of reduction in community spread. That is why it is so important
for us to remain diligent with social distancing and mask wearing; the more
we do now to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, the earlier we may
begin to transition back to pre-coronavirus operations.

Among the four main metrics that the Department of Health will evaluate
before approving the reopening of the District (listed below), a primary
indicator will be 14 consecutive days of reduction in community spread.
This is, in part, why the Contact Trace Force will be so valuable in
assessing the District's preparedness to reopen. Excluding positive cases
in congregate settings, we need to identify the extent of community spread
based on the travel/exposure of positive cases before those residents
displayed symptoms.

The four main reopening metrics include:
1. COVID-19 Case Decline - This includes a 14-day sustained decrease in
community spread with a transmission rate of fewer than 1.0 for three days
2. Testing Capacity - The District will need the capacity to test all of
the following groups: symptomatic individuals, at-risk health care workers,
essential workers, and the close contacts of all new positive cases
3. Health Care System Capacity - Without a medical surge, the District's
health care system must be at less than 80% capacity over a seven-day
period
4. Public Health System Capacity - Contact tracing capacity needs to
attempt to trace new cases within one day and to contact trace a patient's
close contacts within two days

Until the above criteria are met, the District will need to strictly adhere
to the Mayor's Order. The Council will also continue to do our part to
support this mission through emergency legislation and policy
recommendations. In the Transportation Committee, for example, I'm
interested in seeing how we may be able to expedite the process of
reclaiming roadway space for pedestrian and cyclist use during the
remainder of the emergency. And, in the immediate aftermath of coronavirus,
I would like to work closely with our Main Streets to identify ways to
further support our business corridors (such as expanding outdoor
restaurant seating areas for added distancing space).

Recovery will take many forms and, unfortunately, it will not be immediate.
That is why I would like to thank you for sticking with us and for adhering
to the restrictions in the Mayor's Order.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [1]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

Today's Coronavirus Data: 6,736 positive cases, 966 recovered, & 358 lives
lost

To receive these updates directly, please sign up
through [2]marycheh.com or by emailing [3][email protected]

New Mask Requirement on Metro Trains, Buses, & Stations

WMATA Announcement - Effective Monday, May 18th, face coverings will be
required on Metro trains, buses, and in stations. For more on Metro's new
rider requirements, please see Metro's press release available: [4]Here.

Resources Are Available

PPE Should Not Be Littered or Discarded in Public Bins

Reminder - Littering is never acceptable, but littering personal protective
equipment (PPE) is especially dangerous for the public and our Department
of Public Works sanitation team.

PPE should also not be discarded in open public trash cans, especially as
we've experienced a number of very windy days. Used PPE should always be
discarded in secured, closed, or tied trash bags. None of it is recyclable
or flushable.

For example, the photos below were taken in Glover Park on Monday.

The SNAP Online Purchasing Program has Launched

Buy Groceries Online - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
recipients in the District may now use their benefits to buy groceries
online through Amazon.com. Previously unavailable/unapproved by the USDA,
this type grocery delivery is a new innovation and a critical food access
measure amid the coronavirus public emergency. This modification enables
SNAP recipients to access grocery deliveries just as any other customer.

To purchase groceries online for delivery through Amazon, please follow the
following link: [5]Amazon SNAP.

Legislative Highlight: 15% Cap on Delivery App Commissions

From the Washington City Paper -

The Commission Fee Cap on Food Delivery Companies Took Effect. Now What?
Here's what to do if you suspect a violation.

"We’re going to need the customer to be the police here, to say what
they’re seeing on their bill, and we need the restaurants to be very
vigilant because I suspect that these big companies have lawyers looking
into how they can [get] around [the cap]," says Ward 3 Councilmember Mary
M. Cheh..."That’s not the spirit that we have for this. We want to put a
cap on it so that the margins for restaurants, which are already [6]so
thin, are not further eroded."

[7]Read the Full Stor[8]y

Emergency Funding for Water Bills during COVID-19

Apply for Water Bill Relief- Funds are now available to provide emergency
relief to residents struggling with unpaid DC Water bills during the
coronavirus public health emergency and 105 days thereafter. Funds will be
applied to help pay all or part of an outstanding water bill balance and
for ongoing monthly [9]CRIAC discounts. The Department of Energy and
Environment (DOEE) will review and approve assistance requests and DC Water
will apply those credits to customer’s water bills.

To apply, please submit copies or pictures of the following to DOEE:
* Recent DC Water bill
* Recent proof of income (pay stub, Social Security statement, etc.) or
proof of termination or unemployment
* Government-issued, photo identification (license, passport, etc.)
* Complete and signed CRIAC Residential Relief Application available at
[10][link removed]

Join the DC Contact Trace Force

COVID Response - District Government is now hiring and accepting
applications for volunteers for the DC Contact Trace Force to assist with
the District's coronavirus response and reopening preparations. Positions
include investigators, lead investigators, and program managers.
* To volunteer with the Contact Trace Force, please contact Robin Diggs
at [11][email protected].
* To apply for a job with the Contact Trace Force, please see [12]Join
the Contact Trace Force.

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Local Business Stepping Up for the Community

[13]Corewood Care, a home care provider in the DMV area with close ties to
Ward 3, has donated over 50 gallons of hand sanitizer to District
organizations in need (such as IONA, Seabury, and a local group home for
adults with intellectual disabilities).

Pictured right is Corewood Care staff member Cady preparing a 5 gallon
delivery for [14]Friendship Place.

A very special 'thank you' to Mary O'Donoghue, Kyle Kane, and Cady Ugolini
for your incredible generosity!

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 [15]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.

[16]Facebook [17]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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