May 12, 2021

Coronavirus Update: Full Reopening Set for June 11th

Dear Neighbors,

Mayor Bowser has announced that the District is heading toward fully
reopening, with all capacity restrictions for businesses, places of
worship, entertainment venues, and government facilities to be lifted by
June 11th (please see the chart below for the full list/schedule). While
some recent positive reopening data was [1]skewed by reporting delays, it
is important to note that the District's weekly case data continues to
[2]trend downward. Coupled with the news that the FDA approved the Pfizer
vaccine for minors aged 12-15, this has been a significant week for
coronavirus updates. Here is some additional information and resources to
keep on hand:
* New Immunization Record Portal - DC Health has launched [3]DC MyIR, a
HIPPA-compliant online portal that provides District residents with secure
and free access to their official COVID-19 vaccination records. The portal
allows users to view and print official copies of their vaccination records
at any time and will be especially helpful for circumstances where a
resident will be required to provide proof of immunization. To register for
DC MyIR, please click: [4]here.
* Schools - While virtual learning opportunities will continue to be
available, DCPS will offer in-person learning 5 days a week to all students
this fall. There is currently a tension between the CDC's 3 foot social
distancing guidelines and DC Health's new reopening guidance that will
remove all school capacity restrictions on May 21st. DC Health is currently
evaluating how this will be resolved for students for the remainder of the
school year.
* Vaccinations for Minors - Despite the approval of the Pfizer vaccine
for minors aged 12 to 15, there will be a slight delay in vaccination
access for minors at the District's walk-up vaccination sites as persons
administering vaccines will have to undergo additional training.

On a final note, I want to let residents know that the Council expects to
approve an additional extension to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May
18th. At this time, it is unclear how long the extension will be. I would
also like to highlight an upcoming hearing by the Council's Special
Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery scheduled for May 21st. As vaccine
administration and reopenings continue, this hearing will consider the
potential ramifications of the eventual phase out of the many protections
put in place during the pandemic (the eviction and utility shutoff
moratoria, food access programs, etc.). If you would like to testify, watch
the hearing live, or submit testimony to the special committee, please see:
[5]An Equitable End To Safety Net Protections Put In Place During The
Covid-19 Pandemic.

Regards,

Mary

[6]

To enlarge the reopening table, please click [7]here or on the image above.

Please see [8]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

The Public Health Emergency is currently in place through May 20th, 2021

Get vaccinated TODAY at any of the District's walk-up vaccination sites
[9](click here for site locations and hours of operation)

Feed the Pantry Opens in Ward 3 this Sunday

Helping Ward 3 Neighbors in Need - The [10]International Women's Democracy
Center has partnered with [11]Ward 3 Mutual Aid to bring a new pantry to
Ward 3! The Feed the Family Pantry will focus on offering fresh produce and
cleaning supplies to neighbors in need each Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at
4225 Connecticut Ave NW (the former Walgreens site right across from the
UDC-Van Ness Metro Station).

How to Help Feed the Pantry in Ward 3:

Donate Cleaning Supplies - Every Saturday between 12:00-5:00 pm, residents
may drop off cleaning supplies to 4225 Connecticut Avenue in the donation
boxes located at the building's back alley loading dock.
* Needed cleaning supplies include: laundry detergent, dish soap,
cleanser, soft scrub, sponges, hand soap, Lysol cleaner, Pine Sol,
Fabulosa, glass cleaner, and toilet paper.

Financial Donations - There are many costs associated with operating the
pantry (insurance, food purchases, bags, cleaning supplies, website
maintenance, etc.), and Feed the Family welcomes financial donations
through their official website: [12]Feed the Family Pantry.

Volunteer - There are many opportunities to volunteer with the pantry! For
anyone looking to volunteer in-person or remotely, please email:
[13][email protected].

For more information on this effort to bring healthy produce and cleaning
supplies to Ward 3 families in need, please see [14]FeedtheFamilyDC.org.

Fletcher's Cove ParkRun Returns!

Community 5K to Resume - The team behind the popular Fletcher's Cove
ParkRun has announced that the free weekly 5k race will return on Saturday,
May 22nd. These community runs will be held under National Park Service and
COVID-19 response safety guidelines, and all runners will be required to
wear a mask and maintain social distance along the course.

Anyone looking to join the weekly 5k ParkRun or volunteer with the race,
please see: [15]Fletcher's Cove ParkRun.

The Success of 'Solar for All' & DC's Largest Solar Canopy

Cutting the Ribbon - Above, Councilmember Cheh helps cut the ribbon on the
largest solar canopy in the District–an installation above a parking garage
that will provide renewable solar energy to more than 325 income-eligible
families for the next 15 years. Created through the Solar for All program,
which was established through a major energy omnibus bill by Councilmember
Cheh, the space for this solar installation was provided by Children's
National Hospital and highlights the importance of having invested
community partners in the District's sustainability initiatives.

Read more about this project and Solar For All in [16]RTO Insider.

Councilmember Cheh's Zero Waste Omnibus Act Becomes Law

From WasteDive - "The bill officially puts the nation's capital on a path
to cut down on the ubiquity of disposable utensils and other foodservice
ware, enact more stringent food waste diversion requirements for businesses
and schools, become the first in the country to have a comprehensive EPR
program for rechargeable and primary batteries and more...

Councilmember Cheh noted that the law now encourages voluntary adoption of
reusables by restaurants and bars — which have in the last year been more
dependent than usual on single-use takeout ware — and requires that
disposables only be provided upon request."

[17]Read the Full Story

Volunteers Needed for Second Day of Action:

[18]

[19]Click Here to Volunteer!

Free At Home COVID-19 Test Kits Available

Test Yourself DC - Test Yourself DC is a free COVID-19 testing kit that
allows residents to take a COVID-19 test at home without having to wait in
line at a public testing site. Pick up your testing kit anytime Monday
through Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at any of the following Ward
3 library locations:
* Chevy Chase Library (5625 Connecticut Avenue NW)
* Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Avenue NW
* Tenley-Friendship Library (4450 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 20016)

Saturday Library Hours Are Back! - Saturday hours have been added to all
open DC Public Library locations. While regular cleaning will continue
throughout the day, libraries will no longer close from 2:00-3:00 pm.

Reservations for the Zoo to launch this Friday, May 14th

Welcome Back to the Zoo! - The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation
Biology Institute, along with seven other museums, will reopen to the
public on May 21st. This Friday on May 14th, visitors may begin to reserve
their free timed entry passes to gain admission to the Zoo. Enhanced
protocols (including timed entry/parking reservations, mask requirements
for all visitors ages 2 and older, social distancing markers, and hand
sanitizer stations throughout the park) will be in place.

Reservations open this Friday morning, May 14th at 12:01 am through the
following link: [20]Entry Passes.

Choosing Safer Activities

Evaluating Risk - The CDC has released the following mask guidance on the
relative level of risk of various activities for vaccinated and
unvaccinated individuals. To enlarge the 'Safe Activities' chart, please
click [21]here or on the image below:

[22]

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

Celebrating 1 Year at The Brooks

Celebrating The Brooks - The Brooks, Ward 3's short-term housing facility
for families experiencing homelessness, celebrated its first full year of
operation with a ribbon cutting celebration that had been delayed because
of the coronavirus pandemic. In just one year of operation, The Brooks has
helped transition over 100 families out of homelessness.

Mayor Bowser, Councilmember Cheh, the Brooks family, Department of Human
Services Director Laura Zeilinger, Friendship Place President & CEO
Jean-Michel Giraud, and a former Brooks resident, Ms. Smith, joined the
community for the special event.

To watch the ribbon cutting ceremony, please see: [23]Friendship Place &
The Brooks Celebrate 1 Year.

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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