 |
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 skewed by reporting delays, it is important to note that the District's weekly case data continues to 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 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: 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: An Equitable End To Safety Net Protections Put In Place During The Covid-19 Pandemic.
Regards,
Mary
|
|
|
|
|
|
To enlarge the reopening table, please click here or on the image above. |
|
|
|
|
|
Feed the Pantry Opens in Ward 3 this Sunday |
Helping Ward 3 Neighbors in Need - The International Women's Democracy Center has partnered with 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: 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: [email protected].
For more information on this effort to bring healthy produce and cleaning supplies to Ward 3 families in need, please see 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: 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 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."
Read the Full Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteers Needed for Second Day of Action: |
|
|---|
|
|
|
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: 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 here or on the image below: |
|
|
|
|
|
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: 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
