January 15, 2021

Coronavirus Update: Today's Vaccination Alert

Dear Neighbors,

Many residents have written to me about an "alert" they received from the
Department of Health that, on Saturday, a new vaccine registration
opportunity would become available exclusively to those residents living
within [1]Wards 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. No prior notice was provided to
residents or to me. The alert inadequately explained the rationale for this
decision. In fact, the alert made it appear that the reason was simply due
to the number of appointments secured by these Wards as compared to those
secured by Wards 2, 3, and 6. But there is a deeper, more important
justification that makes the decision much more understandable (or even
reasonable).

To date, Ward 3 has experienced 1,796 positive coronavirus cases and lost
42 of our neighbors to this virus. Contrast that to our neighbors in Wards
4 and 5 who have experienced 5,477 and 5,046 cases, respectively. Or Ward
8, who has experienced 4,629 cases and lost 162 residents during the
pandemic, yet secured only 94 vaccination appointments. When looking at the
data and the population differences in terms of incidence and death rates,
co-morbidity, and access to healthcare, the disparate health effects of the
pandemic become starkly clear. Of the 6,756 vaccination appointments made
available to senior residents this past Monday, Ward 3 residents were able
to secure 2,465 of them, or about 40%.

Here is what I would like residents to consider:

Exposure threat, high risk factors, and equity should be taken into account
in our vaccine distribution plan. And, because the news released today was
not carefully explained or contextualized, it has angered and alarmed many
people. It is deeply frustrating that the Council was not briefed on this
decision before the alert, and many vulnerable seniors and those with
co-morbidities are afraid that their zip code will dictate whether they are
able to receive a vaccine or not. To this point, it is unacceptable that
the alert omitted the caveat that 1,400 additional appointments will be
released on Monday to ALL senior residents.

What should be emphasized right now is the fact that the District receives
new vaccine shipments every week. And as we receive new vaccines, so too
will more appointments become available. Rightly placed fear and the
extreme disruption of coronavirus has lead many to feel that they will only
have a few select opportunities to receive a vaccine, but that is actually
not the case. Eventually, everyone for whom it is medically safe to receive
a vaccine, will get one. And our anxiety to get one right away should not
cloud the pursuit of equitable vaccine distribution. On Saturday, residents
in five wards will have exclusive access to vaccination appointments. But
just two days later, all District residents will have access to additional
appointments. And the week after that, even more appointments and vaccines
will become available (and so on).

I wish the news in tonight's announcement was fully conveyed, and it has
been deeply disappointing that DC Health gave no advance notice to me or to
you. This was very poorly presented and the notification to residents was
unnecessarily confusing. But now, knowing the situation, I believe that our
residents will appreciate the reasoning for this one time opportunity for
more vulnerable residents to have access to the vaccine. And on Monday,
again, ALL senior residents will be eligible to register for an
appointment.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [2]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

The Public Emergency is active through January 22nd and the Public Health
Emergency has been extended through March 31st

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [3]marycheh.com

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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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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