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Coronavirus Update: Contact Tracing App, New Climate Bill, & Voter Resources
Dear Neighbors,
This week the District gained a new and valuable tool the effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus: a COVID-19 exposure notification app for iPhone or Android users known as the DC COVID Alert Notice (DC CAN). This technology is the result of a collaboration between Google, Apple, and public health departments across the country that will provide users who opt-in to receive phone alerts if they've been exposed to or in contact with another user who tested positive for coronavirus. Not only is this a helpful tool for DC Health's contract tracing process, but it can help inform a resident's decision to self-quarantine to further reduce the exposure risk to others.
DC CAN works through a key-protected Bluetooth signal, it is not a GPS or location tracker, and the data collected by the software is only shared with DC Health. More on this technology's user privacy protections and how it works is available here and in the video linked below. Residents with an iPhone or Android phone will receive a push notification (an automatic notification on your smartphone) to opt-in or decline this resource. At any time, residents can opt-out or add the DC CAN app through the Google Play Store (for Android users) or in the settings tab (for iPhone users). With a vaccine in development and early questions as to how long the production and distribution of the vaccine will take, this technology will be invaluable in monitoring the spread as local services expand and and business reopen during the recovery period. I will be opting-in to DC CAN, and hope you will too.
Regards,
Mary
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Please see coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates & resources on COVID-19
The Public Health Emergency has been extended through December 31st, 2020
If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or she may sign up through marycheh.com
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Low-Flying Helicopters Are Assessing Radiation Prior to Inauguration |
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From DCist - "Residents of the D.C. area may spot helicopters flying at rather low altitudes above the city and surrounding region ahead of the presidential inauguration.The helicopters are part of a Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) fleet of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) that “will measure naturally occurring background radiation” to help ensure public safety at the day’s events...Such surveys are standard practice when it comes to emergency preparedness, NNSA says in the release.
Residents can expect to see daytime flights that may last about two hours each. Helicopters will fly in a grid-like pattern at an altitude of 150 feet or higher, and at about 80 miles per hour."
Read the Full Story
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Legislative Update: Fighting Climate Change with Food |
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Time and time again, the District has been a national leader in environmental policy, but there is one major and underutilized tool in the fight against climate change: our purchasing power in the food procurement process. On Tuesday, October 20th, Councilmember Cheh introduced the “Green Food Purchasing Amendment Act of 2020” to make sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHS) reductions a priority within the District’s food purchasing process.
Here's how we can fight climate change with food:
The food system, including the natural resources required to produce, transport, and distribute food, is inextricably linked with environmentalism. And numerous District agencies, from the Department of Parks and Recreation to the Department of Corrections (including 3rd party vendors), purchase massive quantities of food each year.
Every step of the food procurement process within local management should be working toward the District's environmental goals and priorities. To achieve this, the "Green Food Purchasing Amendment Act" will direct the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) to determine the greenhouse gas emissions from the life cycle of certain foods and beverages so that, with a baseline emissions measurement, DOEE can provide agencies with purchasing guidance to meet goals for greenhouse gas reductions along a specific schedule:
- 10% greenhouse gas reductions by FY25
- 18% greenhouse gas reductions by FY27
- 25% greenhouse gas reductions by FY30
This bill will make sure that the money the District is already spending on food procurement is working toward measurable reductions in food-related greenhouse gas emissions. Below are the 31 local food and justice organizations that support this effort:
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Ballot Drop Boxes - Residents may drop ballots off in any ballot drop box in the District at any time until 8:00 pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. The Board of Elections will collect ballots from drop boxes twice per day. Read more on how the Board of Elections verifies ballot signatures: here.
Ward 3's ballot drop box locations:
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Voting In Person - For voter registration, early voting, and Election Day voting information, please see the September 17th Ward 3 Newsletter.
Important Dates:
- October 27th through November 2nd: Early voting period, early vote centers will be open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 3rd: Election Day, all voting centers will open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Frequently Asked Questions:
What if I receive someone else’s ballot? Mark the outer envelope as “Return to Sender” and drop it in the mail or ballot drop box.
How will I be able to track my mail-in ballot? The Board of Elections will provide a secure tracking feature on its website here. Residents will be able to live-track their ballots as they move through the US Postal Service system using BallotTrax.
By what date should I plan to vote in person if I haven’t received a ballot? The Board of Elections recommends that if a voter hasn’t received a ballot already (by October 21st), he or she should make a plan to vote in person.
How many Vote Centers will be open during Early Voting and on Election Day? The Board of Elections will be opening 32 Vote Centers for Early Voting and 90+ Election Day Vote Centers.
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Do I have to vote in my Ward or at a particular Vote Center? No. Voters can vote at any Vote Center during Early Voting or on Election Day.
What do I need for same-day registration? Registered voters do not need to present proof of residency to vote. However, if you will be registering during the Early Voting period or on Election Day, you will need to provide proof of residence in order to register and vote.
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A Note from the Humane Rescue Alliance: |
Operational Changes - The success the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) has experienced with increasing its capacity to house more animals in foster homes in response to COVID-19 has allowed the organization to transition many of its services to the community and consolidate others to its 71 Oglethorpe St. NW location; thus, reducing services at DC Health’s Animal Care and Control Facility on New York Ave. NE. Only a few, limited services will remain at the New York Ave NE location. For specific service changes, please see: HRA's Blog.
Whether you have an animal emergency or need to drop off a stray animal, you can reach HRA 24/7 at 202-723-5730.
All the animals pictured in this post are currently available for adoption!
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Council Acts to Seal Eviction Records & Tamp Down Serial Eviction Filing |
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From Street Sense - By Annemarie Cuccia
"While the District has had an eviction moratorium in place since mid-March, tenants have still been feeling the threat of eviction–and the long-term consequences of eviction filings...
It’s not just these notices that are causing harm to tenants—landlords have also filed over 1,800 eviction actions with the court since the moratorium was put in place. Even though these residents are protected from losing their housing currently, the action itself could affect their future.
“The numbers are staggering. And this record follows you around, making it devastating to a person to be able to rent in the future,” Cheh said. Of the eviction actions filed between 2014 and 2018, only 5% resulted in eviction, but every single one created a permanent record."
Read the Full Story
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Community Input Needed: Wilson High School Renaming Nominations |
Submit Nominations for New Name - DC Public Schools (DCPS) is seeking public input on potential new names for Woodrow Wilson High School in Ward 3. The public nomination period will remain open until October 30th. DCPS will vet nominated names and provide a shortlist for additional public input, however the final name will be selected by the Chancellor and Mayor.
Please use the form below to propose any potential new school names that you feel should be considered:
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Virtual Community Event: Friendship Walks 2020 |
Friendship Walks - Friendship Walks is the annual walk focused on ending homelessness in the Washington region. This year, participants won't be walking together on the National Mall, but will be walking virtually towards the common goal of bringing awareness and resources to the fight to end homelessness.
This year, walkers are committing to taking 9,763 steps a day from November 14th to the 21st (Homelessness Awareness Week). 9,763 represents the number of our community members experiencing homelessness on the streets and in shelters.
All proceeds benefit Friendship Place, a Ward 3-based nonprofit organization that offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness. Friendship Place's innovative programs empower participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs, and reconnect with friends, family, and the community.
Last year, through the support of Friendship Walks, Friendship Place prevented or ended homelessness for over 1,437 people, including 562 veterans, and 482 children.
Learn more or join the Friendship Walk today: Friendship Walks 2020.
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New Protocol for Leaf Collections |
2020 Leaf Season - This year, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is asking residents to bag their leaves for leaf collection. Due to coronavirus safety concerns, the agency is unable to deploy the large crews needed to operate the leaf vacuums, but DPW will be able to collect bagged leaves left in the abutting tree boxes.
Because leaf collections are composted, residents should only bag leaves in paper bags. DPW will be providing each household that receives collections with 20 free paper bags for the season beginning October 30th.
If you are in need of assistance bagging leaves, please reach out to Serve DC.
For more information, please see the video below and/or 2020 Leaf Collection Changes.
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Extending Unemployment Insurance Benefits |
Extend Benefits - Unemployment Insurance (UI) offers workers 26 weeks of initial benefits, but compensation can be extended for up to a year through two 13-week extensions.
However, the 13-week extensions are not automatic and UI claimants need to apply and file an application to receive extended support.
For additional application information and UI program details from the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, please see: Extending UI Benefits.
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
Celebrating Woodley Park Businesses & the Iconic Marilyn Monroe Mural
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Toast to Marilyn - Last Saturday, the Woodley Park Main Street hosted a dedication ceremony to celebrate the recently restored Marilyn Monroe mural in the Woodley Park commercial corridor. The mural, painted above Salon Roi, is 39 years old and was a gift to then-owner Roi Barnard by his life partner, Charles Stinson. After noting years of fading and sun damage, Councilmember Cheh dedicated funding for the mural's restoration in last year's budget. The restoration was done by local graffiti artist Kevin "Jazi" Irvin.
To celebrate the restoration, numerous businesses in Woodley Park are offering special drink promotions and products through the end of the month. For promotion details, please see: Toast to Marilyn.
To read more about Roi, his deep personal connection with Marilyn Monroe, and the history of the neighborhood's iconic mural, please see: Restoring Marilyn Monroe in Woodley Park.
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Pictured Above: (Top Left) Restoration artist Kevin Irvin in front of his work. (Top Right) Councilmember Cheh and Woodley Park Main Street Board Chair David DiSantis join Roi Barnard for the mural dedication ceremony. (Bottom Left) Roi Barnard with Marilyn Monroe impersonator Ryan Eubank. (Bottom Right) The newly restored Marilyn Monroe Mural in Woodley Park. |
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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 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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