August 13, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Slow Streets, Transmission, & Statehood

Dear Neighbors,

State health departments are using contact tracing data to determine the
primary source of coronavirus infection and spread. In the District of
Columbia, the Department of Health (DC Health) has noted several sources
such as workplace exposure, travel, accessing childcare facilities, and
participating in indoor dining. What makes it difficult for contact tracers
to identify a primary source of exposure is that in many instances, those
who are known positive have engaged in multiple exposure activities. And,
at the moment, local contact tracing data does not strongly correlate to
any one primary source. This was the information presented to the Council
on a conference call yesterday afternoon with the Executive's COVID-19
response team, and this reasoning is why we haven't seen a roll back of
permissible activities, such as indoor dining—because the data does not yet
point to a primary source. What contact tracing has been able to do so far
is to help us identify residents for quarantine and enable DC Health to
respond in real time to public health emergencies. For example, when more
than one positive case is identified as being from the same workplace, the
agency immediately conducts a site visit and advises on the proper safety
protocols and sanitation practices that must be in place to further prevent
the spread of COVID-19. This early intervention is critical in breaking the
chain of infection.

As time progresses, we may see new trends and sources for infection/spread
emerge, so the best thing you can do to protect yourself (and others) now
is to continue to socially distance to the greatest extent possible,
regularly wash your hands, and to wear a mask when outside of the home.
Duke University recently conducted research on the effectiveness of various
types of face masks, and this summary [1]article by CNN may prove helpful
for those interested in learning more on which types of face masks are the
most effective, and which offer little to no protection at all.

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

A Quick Note on Erroneous Board of Elections Mailer

Mailer Mistake - The Board of Elections (BOE) recently deployed a flawed
change of address mailer to residents that incorrectly instructed
recipients to detach a portion of the mailer before mailing it back to the
agency. This is an error and BOE is asking residents to instead complete
the mailer (if necessary), fold it, tape it, and then mail it back. If you
receive this mailer and do not need to update your address, then no action
is required.

For questions, residents may call BOE at 202-727-2525.

Clarification on the GDS Property & New Foxhall Elementary School

Ward 3 Schools - There were two major school developments for Ward 3 in
this year's budget: funding for the construction of a new elementary school
and funding allocated for the potential future purchase of a new middle
school. As there has been some confusion between the two projects, here are
some clarifying details and background information:

Two years ago, the Deputy Mayor for Education convened a working group to
identify solutions to over-enrollment and increasing overcrowding in Ward 3
schools. One of the solutions proposed by the working group was the
construction of a new elementary school. And so, the Mayor allocated
funding in the FY 2021 budget to make this new school possible. This is the
new Foxhall Elementary School project. This will be a 500 seat elementary
school to be located on a District-owned site that also houses the Old
Hardy School building (currently leased by The Lab School of Washington).
The new Foxhall School will undoubtedly relieve overcrowding at the
elementary level, but the issue of overcrowding at the middle school level
remains.

Deal Middle School has been operating at 110% capacity, while nearby Hardy
Middle School is quickly approaching full capacity. Late in the Council's
budget process (after the committees held hearings and submitted their
reports), the District government became aware that there will be an
opportunity to purchase the Georgetown Day School's (GDS) Lower/Middle
School property later this year. This presents the opportunity to relieve
much of the overcrowding issues at area middle schools. The Council
[4]identified and allocated funding for this potential purchase so it would
be available should the Executive choose to move forward. No offer has yet
been made for this property (the availability of funding doesn't force an
offer) and the amount allocated by the Council should be viewed as a cap
for what the District may spend on a purchase. As I mentioned in a
[5]previous newsletter, the property experts in the Executive branch must
now analyze offer options and determine whether or how to move forward.

So, between these two projects, the Foxhall Elementary School is certain
while a new middle school is an ongoing possibility, and I will keep
residents updated on both projects as they develop.

Good Read: Being Antiracist Requires Education & Action

An Opinion Piece from The DC Line -

"I hope all of us in Ward 3 will band together with our new neighbors at
[6]The Brooks and recognize our responsibility in this moment to use our
privilege to build a more just community."

Cleveland Park resident Patty Stonesifer has published an opinion piece in
the DC Line on how neighbors must become more accepting, welcoming, and
supportive of the parents and children at The Brooks—many of whom have
experienced discrimination since moving to the neighborhood. Read Patty's
full piece [7]here.

Mortgage Assistance Program Relaunched for COVID-19

Relief for Homeowners - On Tuesday, Mayor Bowser announced the relaunch of
the DC Mortgage Assistance Program (DC MAP) to include financial relief to
homeowners who have struggled to maintain monthly mortgage payments as a
result of the coronavirus pandemic. Through DC MAP, qualified borrowers can
receive a loan of up to $5,000/month toward their mortgage for up to six
months.

Applicant qualifications include:
* The home must be the borrower’s primary residence and must be located
in the District of Columbia
* The borrower must be able to document that their income was affected
due to COVID-19
* The borrower must be the borrower on the home loan, not just a member
of the household
* The borrower must show proof that they are not eligible for forbearance
or other types of relief offered through the servicer and/or Hardest Hit
Funds

District homeowners seeking assistance should call 1-833-429-0537 to begin
the application process. Questions regarding DC MAP can be emailed to
[8][email protected].

DDOT Announces Additional Slow Streets

Social Distancing with Slow Streets -

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced a
significant expansion to the Slow Streets initiative that will result in 22
miles of [9]Slow Streets in the District. These streets are restricted to
local traffic only where the speed limit is set to 15 miles per hour to
support neighborhood-based safe social distancing while walking, running,
or cycling.

Ward 3's Slow Streets include:
* 39th Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue and Fulton Street NW
* Davenport Street NW between Nebraska Avenue and Linnean Street NW
* Yuma Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue NW and Connecticut Avenue
NW
* 36th Street NW between Connecticut Avenue and Reno Avenue/Warren Street
NW

Councilmember Cheh Discusses A Statehood Puzzle

From the Washingtonian - There's a wrinkle in the statehood bill that could
give new power to whoever lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave

This summer, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 51, a bill that would
make D.C. the country’s 51st state.

But there’s an odd wrinkle buried in H.R. 51 which could make statehood a
proposition that’s costlier than Democrats think: Under their bill, there
remains a federally controlled district in the middle of Washington, one
that’s reduced to a few blocks around the Mall. And under the Constitution,
the federal capital is guaranteed three electoral votes—whether it’s a big
city or merely a tiny enclave surrounded by the 51st state....A number of
scholars presented with the problem have essentially been left scratching
their heads. “It’s a puzzle,” acknowledged Mary Cheh, Councilwoman for
DC’s Ward 3, and a professor of constitutional law at George Washington Law
School.

The core argument, says Cheh, concerns whether the 23rd Amendment is
“self-executing”—whether it merely allows Congress to grant DC its voting
powers, or if it commands Congress to. Democrats might argue that just as
Congress can pass Section 21, it can revoke it. “The only problem with that
argument is that the language is ‘shall.’ It’s so commanding,” says Cheh,
referring to the text of the amendment—the capital shall appoint its
electors. “That does seem to fly in the face of the purpose of the
amendment.” And such an argument might not fly at all in a
conservative-controlled Supreme Court.

[10]Read the Full Story

AARP Discussion: Resources for Caregivers during COVID-19

[11]

Caregiver Resouces - In the video above, The American Association of
Retired Person's Brittany Kitt speaks with Morgan Whitlach of Quality Trust
about the resources and services available to caregivers of people with
developmental disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic. This is a
must-listen conversation for caregivers and advocates! Click on the video
above or click [12]here to watch the discussion.

The UDC Campus Master Plan

[13]

The Future of UDC - The University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
recently held a [14]virtual community meeting on the UDC Campus Master Plan
to provide residents with an update on the University's plans and vision as
part of the Forest Hills community.

This plan encompasses everything from re-purposing existing buildings, to
planning new sustainable infrastructure, to activating vacant retail spaces
under UDC's purview, and specific developments for faculty and students. As
UDC manages around 90% of the vacant retail space along the commercial
corridor, securing tenants for these spaces will be of particular
importance for the community.

The Forest Hills Connection reported on the meeting and noted the following
campus proposals under consideration by UDC:
* All faculty offices would be moved to 4250 Connecticut Avenue
* Building 44 would be developed into apartments for students and junior
faculty
* Building 41 would be demolished and rebuilt to house the DC Archives
* Building 43, which provides the heating and AC system for the whole
campus, would be demolished since all buildings would be rehabbed with
their own systems
* The Theater of the Arts would be improved and programmed in partnership
with Van Ness Main Street
* The tennis courts would be enclosed with more housing built above
* The university would incorporate green roofs and solar as much as
possible

Click [15]here to watch the UDC Campus Master Plan presentation and
following community discussion. To read further on the meeting, please see
the recent story in [16]The Forest Hills Connection.

Reminder: Take a Moment to Fill Out the 2020 Census

You Matter, So Get Counted - This month, the U.S. Census Bureau will deploy
staffers to neighborhoods across the country to obtain Census data from
those who have not completed their census. To avoid this in-person
encounter, residents may still complete the census online to
[17]2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020. Of course, if you still
have the paper version that was mailed to you, you can complete it and mail
it back at any time.

What does a census taker look like? Census takers work from 9 am to 9 pm
and will present an ID badge with their name, photo, Department of Commerce
watermark, and expiration date. Always ask to see ID.

Find out if census takers are in your area by texting “DOOR” to 442020

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Ivory Ban Becomes Law in Time for World Elephant Day 2020

Happy World Elephant Day - Councilmember Cheh's "Ivory and Horn Trafficking
Prohibition Act" passed Congressional review and officially became law on
August 6th, just in time for [18]World Elephant Day!

Five years in the making, the ban on the local sale of elephant ivory and
rhino horn ensures that the District of Columbia will no longer remain the
"[19]nation's hub of ivory sales" or financially support an international
market that endangers and brutalizes some of the world's most vulnerable
animals.

To read more on this effort, please see the [20]Humane Rescue Alliance's
post on the bill's passage through the Council.

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 reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

[21]Facebook [22]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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