June 11, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Emergency Legislation, Heat Resources, & Contact
Tracing

Dear Neighbors,

On Monday I provided a [1]summary of the major provisions of emergency
legislation before the Council on policing reforms. Since then, the
legislation has passed, with some [2]additional measures added, and the
bill currently awaits the Mayor's signature. While this bill is an
important step, I'm interested in working further to examine our systemic
over-reliance on the police to make up for our lack of support for adequate
behavioral health resources, education access, safe housing, food access,
and any area that contributes to the social ills and great inequities
experienced in our community. The District, and perhaps our country, is on
the cusp of a critical shift in our thinking and approach to societal
challenges—all leading to a fundamental review of the areas where we have
not invested nearly enough. As this also ties in to the manner in which
police departments are budgeted, I encourage residents to [3]tune-in to the
Judiciary Committee's MPD budget hearing next Tuesday, June 16th.

An additional piece of emergency legislation that unanimously passed this
week was my legislation to require the District Department of
Transportation (DDOT) to publish, and then implement, a report that creates
a connected network for cyclists and other non-motorists in the District.
This network will be an important local resource during the public health
emergency and recovery period, and is to be made up of protected bike
lanes, expanded public spaces (such as sidewalks), and of streets that will
be closed to through/non-local traffic. DDOT is required to implement the
report on a staggered timeline basis, with 20 miles of progress to be made
by September 1st and an additional 5 miles by November 1st. With commuter
traffic at an all time low, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to
create a connected network for vulnerable road users and to
expand/prioritize public spaces for residents and local businesses.

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]

Note: The Public Health Emergency has been extended to July 24th

Heat Emergency & Cooling Center Resources

Numbers to Keep on Hand - We've entered the season where extreme heat will
pose a danger to seniors, those in our community who are vulnerable, and
our neighbors experiencing homelessness. This also a time where leaving a
domestic animal unattended outdoors or in a locked car can have disastrous
consequences.

If you haven't done so already, please add the District's 24/hour
[7]Shelter Hotline and [8]Humane Rescue Alliance numbers to your phone so
that you are prepared to respond if or when you see a neighbor or an animal
in need of immediate assistance:
* Shelter Hotline - 202.399.7093
* Humane Rescue Alliance - 202.576.6664

Cooling Sites - Cooling sites at select libraries, recreation centers, and
public schools will open to residents when a heat emergency is declared in
the District. Heat emergencies are declared when the District's heat index
reaches 92 degrees. If you are protesting on a heat emergency day, please
call 311 or access the District's cooling site map for a safe space to cool
down and access public restrooms.
* The District's Cooling Center Map is available: [9]here.

Testing Expanded - DC Health has issued new coronavirus safety
recommendations for those joining the protests, that resource is available
here: [10]Guidance for Mass Gatherings.
* Reminder: free, walk-up [11]testing is available for those who
experience symptoms or believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 (this
includes those participating in protest activities).

Greater Support for the Restaurant Industry

From the Washington City Paper -

Postmates Still Hasn't Complied With D.C.'s 15 Percent Commission Fee Cap

"The app services are bleeding our local restaurants dry—and we all know
restaurants operate on very slim profit margins," says Councilmember Mary
Cheh. "That's why I put a cap on what the app services can charge, but now
I'm hearing of the devious ways these services are trying to get around the
cap or not abiding by it at all. So, like other jurisdictions, I'll be
looking for more nuanced ways to permanently rein them in."

[12]Read the Full Story

News from the National Zoo

Resident Input Needed -

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is actively planning to restore the historic
Reptile Discovery Center (RDC) and update the building's animal habitats
and exhibits. While the larger renovation of RDC will come in the future,
they are currently in the first phase of the project to remove and restore
the sculptural portico entrance and welcome resident input.

You can read more about the history and significance of the project on
their website here: [13]Neighborhood News.

Comments on the project may be submitted until June 26th, 2020.

Please send comments to: [14][email protected]

Contact Tracing At A Glance

New Details from DC Health - The success of the Contact Trace Force will
largely influence DC Health's ability to evaluate the extent of coronavirus
community spread and the District's readiness to enter into subsequent
reopening phases. While it was believed that residents would be able to
volunteer with the Contact Trace Force, the City Administer announced to
the Council that DC Health will prioritize the hiring of contact tracers
and will not be accepting volunteers at this time.

The Mayor's [15]June 10th Situational Updated provided some additional
details on how the Contact Trace Force will operate and what residents
should expect if contacted by a case interviewer.

Below is excerpt on the contact tracing process provided by DC Health:

[16]

Support NAACP Emergency Relief Kits

Fom the NAACP DC Branch - The NAACP DC Branch is continuing to prepare
Emergency Relief Kits for DC Protestor's demanding justice and
accountability by law enforcement. To date, 750 kits have been prepared and
distributed. These Emergency Relief Kits include bottled water, granola
gars, saline solution, wash clothes, first-aid products and masks, as
available. The NAACP welcomes volunteers who want to help prepare these
kits, provide product donations, and/or financially support this effort.
This project was originated by an NAACP DC Youth Council Member, DC native,
and Harvard University senior completing distance learning back home in the
District.

If you would like to volunteer with preparing Emergency Relief Kits or
donate products, please contact (202) 658-9441. If you want to financially
support this effort, please see: [17]NAACP DC Branch.

The National Cathedral, Illuminated

From WJLA -

Washington National Cathedral lights up in support of 'Black Lives Matter'

The Cathedral will be illuminated until 11:59 pm tonight (Thursday, June
11).

[18]Read the Full Story

A Review: Public Health Emergency Protections

Know Your Rights - Since the outset of the public health emergency, the
Council has established several protections for residents and businesses
through emergency legislation. While the exact duration of the public
health emergency will ultimately be determined by the Mayor, the housing
and utility protections created by the Council will extend beyond the
emergency period. And, as extensions to the public health emergency are
being made on a rolling basis, there is no date certain for the duration of
these protections. However, it is important to keep the information below
on hand so that residents are aware of their rights. At this time, the
public health emergency is extended to July 24th.

Housing:

Eviction Prohibition
* Evictions are prohibited during the public health emergency + 60 days

Foreclosure Moratorium
* May not be initiated or conducted during the public health emergency +
60 days

Tenant Payment Plans (Residential & Commercial under 6,500 sq ft)
* Term length is 1 year, minimum
* Offered to tenants for the public health emergency + 1 year

Rent Increase Prohibition (Residential & Commercial Properties)
* No rent increase during the public health emergency + 30 days
* Previous rent increase notices are void if (1) the effective date is
during public health emergency + 30 days, (2) notice provided to tenant of
increase during the public heath emergency, or (3) notice provided to
tenant prior to public health emergency of rent increase during or after
the public health emergency ends

Mortgage Deferment Program
* Offered to borrowers for the length of the public health emergency + 60
days
* Must grant at least 90-day deferment on monthly payments

Tolling of Tenant Deadlines
* Any deadline for tenants or tenant organizations to exercise rights
under our housing code is tolled for the length of the public health
emergency + 30 days
* Tenant has the same number of days to vacate as the tenant had on the
date the public health emergency began

Involuntary Discharge of Long-Term Care Residents
* No facility may involuntarily discharge a long-term care resident for
the duration of the public health emergency + 45 days

Utilities & Public Benefits:

Shut-Off Prohibition
* Electric, gas, water, cable, and telecoms services may not be shutoff
for the length of the public health emergency + 15 days

Utility Payment Plans
* Term length: 1 year, minimum
* Must be offered for the duration of the public health emergency + 6
months for: Electric, Gas, & Water
* Must be offered for the duration of the public health emergency + 60
days for: Cable & Telecoms

Access to Public Benefits
* The Mayor is authorized to extend eligibility period for individuals
receiving public benefits, including TANF and SNAP, for the duration of the
public health emergency + 60 days

License and Registration Extensions
* For the length of the public health emergency + 45 days, the Mayor may
prospectively or retroactively extend the validity of any license,
registration, permit, or authorization, and waive any deadlines

Family and Medical Leave
* An employee may use no more than 16 weeks of family and medical leave
during the public health emergency
* Applies to employees who have worked for the employer for at least 15
days prior to the request for leave

Debt Collection
* Debt collection efforts are prohibited for the duration of the public
health emergency + 60 days

Horizons Greater Washington Needs Our Help!

[19]video

Stop the Summer Slide - Horizons Greater Washington is a local organization
that prepares students from low-income families to succeed by building
academic and life skills outside of the traditional school year. Knowing
that the threat of summer slide looms even larger this year and that
families in their program urgently need additional support, Horizons
reinvented their summer programming and invested in new technologies to
enable local children to safely learn, explore, and grow during the summer
months.

This is a challenging time for all nonprofits, and Horizons is working to
make up the loss of income associated with the cancellation of their 20th
anniversary Spring Splash. If you would like to learn more about this
fantastic program and contribute to their mission, please see: [20]Horizons
of Greater Washington.

Breast Care for Washington is Open!

From Breast Care for Washington -

Breast Care for Washington's (BCW) mission is to reduce breast cancer
mortality in the Washington, DC area by promoting access to breast cancer
screening, diagnostics, and treatment to all women regardless of their
ability to pay.

BCW is now seeing patients after spending significant time and resources to
ensure that both patients and staff will have the safest experience
possible during the coronavirus emergency. BWC invites residents to visit
their [21]website to learn about the new safety protocols in place and to
contact BCW staff at 202-465-7164 to schedule your annual mammogram.

Attorney General Files Suit Against DC Housing Authority

Seeking Accountability - This week, Attorney General Karl A. Racine filed a
lawsuit against the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) for
endangering over 5,000 tenants at 10 public housing properties—as well as
the surrounding communities in Wards 1, 5, 6, and 7—by failing to confront
drug- and firearm-related nuisances at the properties. DCHA is an
independent District agency that provides housing for low- and
moderate-income residents.
* Learn more about the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) work to
preserve affordable housing and find resources to help renters
on [22]OAG’s Tenant Resources page
* Learn more about OAG’s efforts to fight discrimination, including
housing discrimination, from [23]OAG’s Civil Rights Brochure

A Reminder from Metro:

On Mask Wearing - Mask wearing is required when using public transportation
and when visiting essential businesses (such as grocery stores). Wearing
one is [24]strongly encouraged when out of the home. To date, the District
has lost 502 residents to coronavirus and currently has 9,589 known
positive cases. This virus is still prevalent in our community, so please
continue to be diligent and cautious in protecting yourself and others by
properly socially distancing and wearing a mask when in public.

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

A Neighborhood Hawk & Community Rescue

Backyard Wildlife - The District is home to a robust and recovering natural
habitat, and nowhere is that more apparent than with the resurgence of
large birds of prey. The above photos of a nesting red shouldered hawk were
taken from the balcony of a Ward 3 resident's home. Earlier this year,
neighbors rallied together to rescue this very same hawk from deadly
entanglement in a fishing line.

For more on the local hawk rescue, see the Washington Post's story,
[25]When a hawk got tangled in fishing line, humans came together to rescue
it.

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

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