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Coronavirus Update: Phase II Guidelines, Vigil, & Elections
Dear Neighbors,
Tomorrow is Juneteenth, 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 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 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 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, 'How To Talk About Race with Kids' is a great place to start.
Regards,
Mary
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ReOpening the District: Phase II |
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Phase II - The Mayor has announced that if the District's 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 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
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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:
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An Update on Board of Elections |
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New Board of Elections Report - In response to the 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 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 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.
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Event Tomorrow: Wilson High School Vigil |
Event at Wilson High School - This Friday, on Juneteenth, the 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.’
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Additional Free Walk-Up Testing Sites Open |
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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. |
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Downtown Location:
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
F Street, NW
(between 4th & 5th Sts, NW)
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Anacostia Location:
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
2241 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE
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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.
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Big News: House to Vote on DC Statehood |
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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."
Read the Full Story
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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."
Read the Full Story
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Mark Your Calendar: DC Water Town Hall in Ward 3 |
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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 dcwater.com/Ward3TownHall or call 202.753.6714. Conference ID: 529 122 416#
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It's Not Too Late to Fill Out the 2020 Census |
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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):
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Please Remember to Flatted & Recycle Shipping Boxes |
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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:
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Paper packaging - Recycle in your blue bin
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Bubble wrap, plastic air pillows or bubble packaging - Check the How2Recycle label and bring to a grocery store drop-off for recycling, or place in the trash
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Mix of paper and plastic - Place in the trash
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Styrofoam blocks or peanuts - Place in the trash
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
Anna Saves Her Allowance for Humane Rescue Alliance
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Ten-Year-Old Anna to the rescue!
The 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
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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 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.
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