June 18, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Phase II Guidelines, Vigil, & Elections

Dear Neighbors,

Tomorrow is [1]Juneteenth[2], and while there are civil rights
demonstrations and protest events scheduled across the District, I wanted
to highlight an upcoming event in Ward 3. The [3]DC History and Justice
Collective is coordinating a vigil as part of their campaign to change the
name of Woodrow Wilson High School due to President Wilson's extensive
segregationist and discriminatory policies in managing the federal
workforce. This effort has been [4]years in the making, and I've previously
voiced my opinion that no one is entitled to have a building named after
him or her—it should be an honor— and if there are significant dishonorable
aspects in a person’s past, that person is not entitled to be so honored.
As a person from a vulnerable category, I'm limiting my attendance at
social gatherings and will be unable to join the vigil, but am supportive
of the community's effort to change the school's name. If you are
interested in this effort, I would encourage you to join the vigil (details
below) and/or [5]sign the group's new name petition to DC Public Schools.
And for parents of younger children who are interested in additional
resources and guidance on how to discuss these topics, today's WAMU 1A
program, '[6]How To Talk About Race with Kids' is a great place to start.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [7]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 [8]marycheh.com or by
emailing [9][email protected]

ReOpening the District: Phase II

Phase II - The Mayor has announced that if the District's [10]current
reopening metrics are maintained, that the District could enter into Phase
II of the reopening plan as early as next Monday, June 22nd. Much of the
Phase II criteria includes expanding what indoor activities and services
are permitted (with greatly reduced indoor capacity) and a new Phase II
page has been added to [11]coronavirus.dc.gov to provide guidance on what
residents and local business should expect moving forward.

Below is a broad overview of how Phase II will expand local business
operations with additional links to topic-specific reopening guidance:

Retail - Nonessential retail businesses may allow customers to shop indoors
providing that they operate at no more than 50% capacity

Nail salons, waxing, tanning, salon services, & tattooing - These services
may operate if they keep work stations at least 6 feet apart, accept
clients by appointment only, and do not permit customers to wait for
services indoors

Restaurants - Indoor dinning will be allowed as long as the restaurant does
not exceed 50% capacity, tables must remain at least 6 feet apart, no
self-service buffets, and no parties greater than 6 people

Fitness & Recreation - Gyms may reopen with a limited capacity no more than
5 people per 1,000 square feet with classes limited to no more than 10
people
* Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) - DPR pools will open for
structured activities, including lessons and lap swimming, and the
District's public playgrounds, courts, and fields will reopen for resident
use

Summer Camps - Camps may operate with no more than 10 children in a cohort
and must have proper social distancing and sanitation protocols in place

Libraries - Libraries may reopen for indoor resident use at no more than
50% capacity

Theaters, cinema, & venues - May apply for a waiver to hold art,
entertainment, and/or cultural events

Phase II Guidance by Topic:

* [12]Childcare
* [13]Elective Surgery
* [14]Families with Children
* [15]Food Retailers
* [16]General Public
* [17]Hotel Accommodations
* [18]Libraries, Museums and Exhibits
* [19]Mass Gatherings

* [20]Personal Services
* [21]Places of Worship
* [22]Public Transit
* [23]Restaurants
* [24]Schools
* [25]Shared Transit
* [26]Summer Camp
* [27]Travel

An Update on Board of Elections

New Board of Elections Report - In response to the [28]poor execution of
this month's Primary Election, the Board of Elections (BOE) has announced
that they will mail a ballot to every registered voter in advance of the
General Election this fall. To compliment this effort, BOE will also double
the number of voting centers and early voting opportunities for residents
who wish to vote in person.

To summarize BOE's [29]after action report on their performance, a
combination of staff challenges and technological issues completely
overwhelmed the agency's ability to account for thousands of ballot
requests and submissions. The report supports the analysis of resident
experiences (and case by case explanation by BOE) that Councilmember Cheh
collected earlier this month: that the agency's voter registration platform
was inadequate in meeting the increased demand and that there is a
disconnect in the system where a resident's mailing address is not
automatically updated alongside a new voter registration address.

The [30]report details eight 'next steps' for BOE to undergo ahead of the
November election, and the Council will be working closely with the agency
to ensure a safer and more efficient election is conducted this November.

Event Tomorrow: Wilson High School Vigil

Event at Wilson High School - This Friday, on Juneteenth, the [31]DC
History and Justice Collective will gather at Wilson High School for a
vigil as part of their campaign to change the name of Woodrow Wilson High
School. The group will provide attendees with poster board, poster stands,
markers, and hand sanitizer and encourages residents to create and leave
messages of support for the name change in front of the school.

Friday, June 19th

11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Wilson High School (3950 Chesapeake Street NW)

From the DC History and Justice Collective: We invite Wilson students,
faculty, alumni, and neighbors, as well as all who call D.C. home, to
collectively imagine a new name in a socially-distanced, masked vigil. So
much is happening in our community and our world relating to respect and
care for Black community members. This is one way our community can make a
contribution. Renaming this school is one way to say ‘Black Lives
Matter.’

Additional Free Walk-Up Testing Sites Open

New Walk-Up Testing Resources - In addition to the expanded firehouse
testing sites (listed below), residents may also utilize two street-based
free walk-up testing sites (no appointment necessary) located downtown and
in the Anacostia neighborhood.

Downtown Location:

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

F Street, NW

(between 4th & 5th Sts, NW)

Anacostia Location:

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

2241 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE

Public Antibody Testing - DC Health is providing free COVID-19 antibody
testing for residents at the Navy Yard Serology Testing site located at
Canal Park (200 L Street SE). At this time, antibody testing requires an
appointment.
* To schedule an appointment, please call 1-855-363-0333

Reminder: Expanded Firehouse Testing Sites - The District has expanded the
number of firehouse testing sites and will now open four firehouses per
day, Monday through Saturday. These are free walk-up testing sites and do
not require an appointment.

[32]

Big News: House to Vote on DC Statehood

From The Washington Post -

Hoyer sets June 26 date for historic House vote on D.C. statehood bill

"House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) has chosen June 26 to hold
the first floor vote in a generation on D.C. statehood, hoping to harness a
national reckoning on race and capitalize on widespread outrage over the
federal response to street protests in the nation’s capital."

[33]Read the Full Story

From DCist - Statehood Gets New Congressional Sponsors After Trump Deploys
Federal Troops On D.C. Streets

"Three more Democratic senators have signed onto D.C.’s statehood
legislation in the upper chamber — Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters of
Michigan, and Jon Tester of Montana. Peters is the ranking member on the
Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and would
likely become chair if Democrats take the majority in November. The
statehood bill would need to pass through that committee."

[34]Read the Full Story

Mark Your Calendar: DC Water Town Hall in Ward 3

Virtual Town Hall Meeting -

Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 pm

DC Water CEO David Gadis is co-hosting a meeting to discuss proposed rates,
current projects, and issues in the Ward 3 community.

The meeting will be held by phone and online using Microsoft Teams. Join
the conversation at [35]dcwater.com/Ward3TownHall or call 202.753.6714.
Conference ID: 529 122 416#

It's Not Too Late to Fill Out the 2020 Census

Get Counted, DC - 68% of Ward 3 voters have filled out the 2020 Census, and
it is not too late for residents to submit their form. The Census helps
inform federal funding allotments in vital areas such as healthcare,
education, transportation, housing, and more.

There are three ways to fill out the 2020 Census (it only takes a couple
minutes):
* Online - [36][link removed]
* Phone - 1-844-330-2020
* Mail - By [37]mailing back your form

Please Remember to Flatted & Recycle Shipping Boxes

[38]

Recycle Guide - Ordering online is convenient and does help with social
distancing practices, but is also produces an increased amount of waste and
recyclable products. Shipping boxes should be recycled when finished.
Remember to empty, flatten and place your shipping packages and boxes
inside your blue recycle bin.

What to do with other types of shipping packaging:
* Paper packaging - Recycle in your blue bin
* Bubble wrap, plastic air pillows or bubble packaging - Check the
[39]How2Recycle label and bring to a grocery store [40]drop-off for
recycling, or place in the trash
* Mix of paper and plastic - Place in the trash
* Styrofoam blocks or peanuts - Place in the trash

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Anna Saves Her Allowance for Humane Rescue Alliance

Ten-Year-Old Anna to the rescue!

The [41]Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) recently shared the following letter
from a young girl who saved up her allowance and donated $215 to help save
animals:

"Dear HRA, My name is Anna and I'm ten years old. I've been saving some of
my allowance money for a couple years to donate it to you. I love all
animals my favorite is donkey but I still love cats and dogs too. In fact I
have a little small havanese puppy named penny that always brightens up my
day. I love what you do and I think it absolutely amazing all the animals
you save and match with the perfect family's. And a special thanks for
staying open in this hard of a time. You are so brave!" -Anna

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 [42]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.

[43]Facebook [44]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

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13. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Elective_Surgery__JIC REVIEWED 6.17.2020_NP.pdf
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15. [link removed] Two Guidance_Food_Retailers_JIC Reviewed[1].pdf
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17. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Hotels_Accommodations_JIC Reviewed 6.17.2020_NP.pdf
18. [link removed] Lib_Museum_Exhibit_JIC Reviewed.pdf
19. [link removed] Reviewed.bcedit.pdf
20. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Personal_Services_JIC REVIEWED 6.17.2020_NP.pdf
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22. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Public_Transit_JIC REVIEWED[1].pdf
23. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Restaurants_JIC Reviewed[1].pdf
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25. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Shared_Transit_JIC Reviewed[1].pdf
26. [link removed] Camp_2020.06.16_FINAL[1].pdf
27. [link removed] Two Guidance_for_Travel_JIC Reviewed[1].pdf
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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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