August 21, 2020

Coronavirus Update:

School Readiness, Voting, and the March on Washington

Dear Neighbors,

This week, I met (virtually) with each of the principals from our Ward 3
schools. Even though I couldn't physically tour the buildings as I have in
years past, it was important to talk with school officials about how
they're handling these unprecedented times and what I can do to support
them as the beginning of the school year approaches. In these meetings, I
have focused on three topics:
* Making sure we have the necessary technology to start the school year
virtually
* The condition of the buildings (both currently and for a possible
hybrid opening in November, though nothing has been decided yet)
* Obtaining a waiver from the Department of Agriculture so students can
receive meals at any school - not just the school to which they've been
assigned - so they don't have to travel across the city

While I know this will be a challenging year for all of us, I also know our
principals and teachers are doing the best they can to ensure our children
are learning, growing, and thriving, even if that work is done remotely.

As I'm sure you're all aware, this past week has raised many questions and
concerns about the United States Postal Service and absentee voting for the
upcoming presidential election. While the primary election in June had its
own set of issues, the District's Board of Elections has been taking steps
to ensure that everyone can vote safely in November. They will be setting
up ballot drop boxes in each ward so that you can return your ballot
without having to put it in the mail. For folks who want to vote in person,
I suggest early voting. I don't know the specific circumstances of what
this year will look like, but it's been my experience that relatively few
people take advantage of early voting, so it's less crowded and would be
easier to practice social distancing. More details on voting and the
locations in Ward 3 are listed later in this newsletter.

On Friday, August 28th, the March on Washington will take place.
Councilmembers have been asking about this event almost on a daily basis.
The March itself will take place on federal property, and so far as we have
been advised, the federal government has issued a permit for the March, and
it does not include any conditions such as mask wearing. Nevertheless, the
District government tells us that they have been in touch with the
organizers, and are recommending & encouraging that they follow the rules
about social distancing (especially for those attendees who will be seated)
and mask wearing. The organizers say that they will encourage mask wearing
and have masks to distribute; I have also asked that the District have
masks to distribute. We want to make sure that the attendees of the March
and the residents of the District are as safe as possible.

Finally, I wanted to let everyone know that a vaccine study is recruiting
volunteers in the DMV area. To participate, you must be at least 18 years
old, and in particular, they are seeking out essential workers, people with
underlying health conditions, healthy individuals who have not had
COVID-19, and people over the age of 65. I'm currently a volunteer in the
NIH/Moderna vaccine trial, and I'm pleased to do my part to help us end
this pandemic. You can find more information and [1]sign up here.

Regards,

Mary

Meeting with Wilson officials to ensure school readiness

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

Metro Increases Rail and Bus Service

Metrorail Service - This week, Metro increased both the frequency and hours
of rail service. On weekdays, the Red line is running every 5 minutes
during peak hours, and every 12 minutes during off-peak hours. All other
lines are running every 8 minutes during peak hours, and every 15 minutes
during off-peak hours. On weekends, the Red line runs every 12 minutes, and
all other lines run every 15 minutes. The new hours are 5am-11pm on
weekdays, 7am-11pm on Saturdays, and 8am-11pm on Sundays. [4]Full details
are available here.

Metrobus Service - Beginning this Sunday, August 23rd, Metro will scale up
to approximately 75% of bus service. To see specific details for individual
routes, please [5]click here. All bus riders should continue to board
through the rear doors, and will not be charged a fare.

Remember, masks are required on public transportation.

Read news stories about the increase in service from [6]The Washington Post
and [7]WTOP.

Contact Trace Force Begins Home Visits

[8]

This week, COVID-19 contact tracers began making home visits. Home visits
will be conducted in cases in which individuals were reached but did not
complete the contact tracing interview, or were unable to be
reached through phone outreach after a period of 1-2 days. To support this
effort, DC Health is hiring an additional 175 contact tracers, bringing the
total up to 450.

Please Note: DC Health is not currently accepting new applications for
contact tracers, but if they do so, the job listing will be posted on
[9]careers.dc.gov.

Three Ways to Vote in November

Please Note: The following are the relevant voting locations in Ward 3. You
can drop off your ballot at any drop box in the city, and you can cast your
ballot at any early voting or Election Day polling place. Click here for a
[10]full list of ballot drop box locations, and a [11]full list of early
voting and Election Day polling locations.

Absentee Ballots - The Board of Elections will be mailing every registered
voter an absentee ballot for the presidential election in November. Please
take a moment to confirm your registration status [12]here. The ballots
will be mailed the first week of October, and can be returned via mail, or
at one of the following ballot drop box locations:
* Chevy Chase Library (5625 Connecticut Avenue NW)
* Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Avenue NW)
* Palisades Library (4901 V Street NW)
* Second District Police Station (3320 Idaho Avenue NW)
* Tenley-Friendship Library (4450 Wisconsin Avenue NW)

Early Voting - The following early voting centers will be open from
Tuesday, October 27th, through Monday, November 2nd, from 8:30am-7pm:
* Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert Street NW)
* University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Avenue NW)

Election Day Voting - The following polling places will be open on Tuesday,
November 3rd, from 7am-8pm:
* Capitol Memorial Church (3150 Chesapeake Street NW)
* Chevy Chase Community Center (5601 Connecticut Avenue NW)
* Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Avenue NW)
* Guy Mason Recreation Center (3600 Calvert Street NW)
* Horace Mann Elementary School (4430 Newark Street NW)
* Janney School (4130 Albemarle Street NW)
* Murch Elementary School (4810 36th Street NW)
* Oyster School (2801 Calvert Street NW)
* Palisades Recreation Center (5200 Sherrier Place NW)

Healthy Habits and COVID-19

[13]

Click on the graphic above to enlarge it

I recently met (virtually) with Dr. Neal Barnard from the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine, and he shared these health
recommendations with me. It's always a good idea to do what we can to
improve our health, especially during this pandemic.

Take the DCFACES Survey

The District of Columbia Facilities and Commemorative Expressions (DCFACES)
Working Group is evaluating named DC Government-owned facilities and making
recommendations as to what, if any, actions need to be taken if the person
for whom the facility is named has a history inconsistent with DC values.
Examples of these facilities include:
* DC Government-owned buildings (libraries, schools, rec centers, etc.)
* DC Government-owned parks
* DC Government-owned streets
* Statues in DC Government-owned parks

[14]Take the survey and submit your ideas here, and visit the [15]DCFACES
website for more information. The survey closes Monday, August 24th.

Comprehensive Plan Update

[16]

Click on the graphic above to enlarge it

The Committee of the Whole has scheduled a two-day hearing on the
Comprehensive Plan. The hearing will begin at 10am on Thursday, November
12th, and continue the next day, Friday, November 13th, starting at 9am.
There are three ways to testify:
* Email written testimony
* Call (202) 430-6948 and leave a voicemail, which will be transcribed
* [17]Sign up to testify live (virtually)

More information about the hearing is available on [18]Chairman Mendelson's
website. You can read more information about the Comprehensive Plan as it
stands right now on [19]plandc.dc.gov.

COVID-19 Testing

Get Tested! - DC Health is offering COVID-19 tests and antibody tests at
locations across the city. You do not need a doctor's note to get a test.
Locations and times are listed below, and more details are available
[20]here.

Please Note: Testing availability is subject to change due to inclement
weather. Stay up to date at [21]coronavirus.dc.gov.

Free Public Testing Sites

[22]

Firehouse Testing

Antibody (Serology) Testing

E-Cycling in Ward 3

What is E-Cycling? - E-Cycling is the recycling of unwanted electronic
equipment. This prevents dangerous substances, like lead and mercury, from
being released into the environment. [23]Accepted e-cycling items are
listed here.

eCYCLE Collection Events - On Saturday, September 19th, from 10am-2pm, DOEE
will host an eCYCLE collection event in Ward 3 at the Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Avenue NW). There will be additional events on Saturday,
December 5th from 10am-2pm at both the Cleveland Park Library (3310
Connecticut Avenue NW) and the Palisades Community Center (5200 Sherrier
Place NW).

E-Cycling at Ft Totten - In addition to the events that occur across the
city, the Ft. Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Drive NE)
accepts e-cycling every Saturday from 8am to 3pm, and on September 3rd,
October 1st, November 5th, and December 3rd from 1pm to 5pm.

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Panda Pregnancy at the Zoo!

Mei Xiang, a giant panda at the National Zoo, is pregnant! A recent
ultrasound showed a giant panda fetus kicking and swimming. Zoo officials
predicted we could have a new panda cub neighbor as early as this weekend.
[24]Read the full story here.

The panda house at the Zoo is currently closed to provide quiet for Mei
Xiang, but the [25]Giant Panda Cam is still operating.

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.

[26]Facebook [27]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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