Dear Ward 8 Residents:

On Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the extension of the Ticket Amnesty Program offering residents a chance to pay parking tickets without penalties until December 31st. These tickets include parking, photo enforcement and minor moving violations.

The burden of parking ticket penalties is one that we have fought to remove since 2017. I introduced legislation ([link removed]) that would remove the traffic and ticket enforcement penalties when person is not able to answer that ticket after the 30-day period. I know personally the burden of the doubling penalties when one does not have the means to pay.

This extension is vital as we continue to make our way out of the pandemic. I encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity - one ticket at a time. For more information on this program visit: [link removed] ([link removed]) .

Peace & Love,

Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.


** Quick Links
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* Need a Test? Get a Test: Learn more about COVID-19 testing sites ([link removed])
* Hospital Coming to Ward 8: See Plans for New Hospital ([link removed])
* Behind on rent due to COVID-19? [link removed] ([link removed] )
* Need Help With Utility Bills? [link removed]
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])

This year has been a great time for growth and new opportunities for our team. We are pleased to introduce you to some new members of our team and existing members of our team that have taken on new roles.
"I am excited for the opportunity to be the Committee Director and look forward to getting a lot done. In this new role, I want to ensure that the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs is managed in an efficient manner that is optimized for peak performance."
-- Dr. Tracey G. Jackson (PhD, JD)

"It takes courage to stand up and speak. It takes empathy to sit down and listen. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. and Ward 8, as Legislative Director. Legislation is one of the ways that I can be a part of efforts to stand up and voice Ward 8 priorities to DC Council and the city.

Listening to the collective concerns of our Ward 8 constituents means having patience and the ability to understand and articulate the feelings of the community through the laws we introduce.

I always say that, "I'm smart enough to know that I don't know everything"- and there is so much to learn by being attentive to the desires of the community to best stand for the empowerment and uplift of the people. Being Legislative Director affords me the privilege of serving Ward 8 as a vehicle for the voices of the marginalized and a catalyst for positive change in Ward 8 and the District of Columbia."
--Dr. SaFiya D. Hoskins (PhD, JD)

“I’m excited to serve on the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs and for Councilmember Trayon White Sr. It is an honor to serve my hometown and particularly Ward 8, where my father and so many of my family member were born and raised.

We hope to better the opportunities offered to DC residents, especially the youth, through our Committee. I am humbled to work with my fellow staff to move Ward 8 forward!” -- Kyle S.
Yeldell

"I’m not the conventional Legislative Clerk! My role requires me to wear many hats, from filing important documents, to comforting a grieving family, or advocating for an incarcerated resident.

Working with Councilman White has its perks but also its occasional challenges as we serve in the most disadvantaged ward in our city. We are taught to "LEAD IN LOVE" and with that, we are sought out!"
--Yukia Hugee-Wilson

The Subcommittee on Redistricting will hold a Public Hearing on the following Legislation:
* B24-0371 ([link removed]) , the Ward Redistricting (spacing) Amendment Act of 2021

Witnesses may use their phone or computer to participate in this virtual hearing. Those who wish to testify must sign up no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27th, 2021, by providing their information using the following link: [link removed] ([link removed]) . Witnesses must provide their name, email address, telephone number, organizational affiliation (if any), and job title (if any), as well whether they require language interpretation or sign language interpretation.

Witnesses who require language interpretation or sign language interpretation are requested to email the Subcommittee at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20, 2021, stating their need for interpretation and requested language. The Council’s Office of the Secretary will fulfill timely requests for language interpretation services; however, requests received later than September 20 may not be fulfilled due to vendor availability.


Watch Live:
– On the Council site, at [link removed] ([link removed])
– On the OCTFME site, at [link removed] ([link removed])
– On TV, Channel 13 or 18
Upcoming Hearings ([link removed]) : September 26th-October 9th
On Sunday, September 26th, community members and local leaders convened for Martha's Table 2021 Annual Benefit. The celebration served as an opportunity to reflect on Martha's Table's continued commitment to D.C. and learn more about their five-year community-led vision.

A 12-year veteran of the D.C. police department has been charged with murder and obstruction stemming from the death of Karon Hylton-Brown last fall.

Officer Terence Sutton, 37, was indicted on Friday on one count of second-degree murder, The Washington Post ([link removed]) reported. Sutton, along with police supervisor Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, 53, have also been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy. Both are accused of covering up the unauthorized pursuit of Hylton-Brown, and delayed reporting the severity of his injuries to supervisors.

As theGrio ([link removed]) previously reported, Hylton-Brown, 20, was reportedly riding a moped on the sidewalk without a helmet when D.C. police tried to stop him. He didn’t stop. Police had allegedly been pursuing him for two minutes when he crashed into a car coming out of an alley. The incident occurred on the night of Oct. 23, 2020. Hylton-Brown died from his injuries three days later.

Police at the time said officers pursued Hylton for riding a moped on the sidewalk without a helmet. The official policy of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia states that officers are not allowed to pursue vehicles involved in traffic infractions.

To read the full article visit: TheGrio.com ([link removed])

DC Health Logo


** COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
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September 24, 2021


** COVID-19 Vaccine
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Mayor Bowser and DC Health Advise Eligible Residents to Receive Their Booster Shot

Today, as the District remains very focused on ensuring all eligible residents have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Mayor Bowser and DC Health are also encouraging members of the community who are eligible for a booster shot to get their third dose. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had already recommended that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) receive three doses of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) rather than two doses. This third dose was recommended because sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination.

This week’s recommendations around booster shots are specific to individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine and who received their second dose at least six months ago.

The CDC now recommends:
* people 65 years and older should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
* people who are residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
* people aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions ([link removed]) shouldreceive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
* people 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions ([link removed]) may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks; and
* people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

This updated interim guidance from CDC applies to millions of adults in the United States and follows the September 22 decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of this allowance. The CDC’s recommendations are bound by what the FDA’s authorization allows. At this time, the FDA’s Pfizer-BioNTech booster authorization only applies to these select populations who received the Pfizer vaccine as their primary series. The CDC’s independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will continue to meet to evaluate new data and may recommend booster shots for other populations and vaccine recipients soon.

Residents who received the Pfizer vaccine earlier this year should start making a plan to receive their booster shot: Find your vaccine card or access your vaccine record by visiting myir.dc.gov ([link removed]) , call your healthcare provider to discuss your options for a booster, or visit vaccines.gov ([link removed]) to find a location near you. Residents who need support can call 855-363-0333. Eligible residents can go to one of the 153 locations around the city that offer the safe, free,
and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

As more information becomes available about the CDC’s recommendations, such as specific occupations that are recommended to receive a booster shot, that information will be posted on coronavirus.dc.gov ([link removed]) .

Frequently Asked Questions About Booster Shots

Q: What are the risks to getting a booster?

A: For many who have completed their primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the benefits of getting a booster shot outweigh the known and potential risks. So far, reactions reported after the third Pfizer-BioNTech shot were similar to that of the 2-shot primary series. Fatigue and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the 2-shot primary series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.

Q: Does this change the definition of “fully vaccinated” for those eligible for booster shots?

A: People are still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine. This definition applies to all people, including those who receive an additional dose as recommended for moderate to severely immunocompromised people and those who receive a booster shot.

Q: Can you explain these “permissive” recommendations related to people 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions, and people 18 to 64 who may be exposed due to occupational/institutional setting? How are these different from the other recommendations?

A: Adults 18-49 who have underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, as are people 18-64 are in an occupational or institutional setting where the burden of COVID-19 infection and risk of transmission are high. However, that risk is likely not as high as it would be for adults 50 years and older who have underlying medical conditions, or people who live in long-term care settings. Therefore, the CDC’s recommendation is not as strong for these populations, but still allows a booster shot to be available for those who would like to get one. People 18 and older who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions or their occupation should consider their individual risks and benefits when making the decision of whether to get a booster shot. This recommendation may change in the future as more data become available.

Q: Will providers accept anyone who says they’re eligible to receive a booster shot? Will people need to show a doctor’s note/prescription or other documentation?

A: Individuals can self-attest (i.e. self-report that they are eligible) and receive a booster shot wherever vaccines are offered. This will help ensure there are not additional barriers to access for these select populations receiving their booster shot.
[link removed]

Mayor Bowser signed a Mayor’s Order ([link removed]) requiring that by November 1, 2021, all adults who are regularly in schools and child care facilities in the District must be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Order further requires that, beginning November 1, 2021, students aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in school-based extracurricular athletics.

The vaccination requirements apply to all employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers working in person in a:
* DC Public School
* Public charter school
* Private school
* Parochial school
* Child care facility regulated by the Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

Learn more about the requirements HERE ([link removed]) .
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For all other constituent services concerns, please contact Wendy Glenn.

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