March 2020

Coronavirus Update:

Hospital Capacity, Tax Filings, & Small Business Grants

Dear Neighbors,

The District has sadly experienced our first two deaths from the
coronavirus (COVID-19). These tragic losses underscore the need for all of
us to seriously undertake social distancing and to stay at home whenever
possible—not just for our own sake, but for the safety and wellbeing of
each other, especially in consideration of the elderly and those who have
underlying medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to this
virus.

The District now has 137 reported positive cases of COVID-19 with a
1-year-old testing positive. I know that the school closure extension and
social isolation has been difficult for many, but the best way for us to
slow the spread of this disease (known as flattening the [1]curve) is to
stay at home. And for those who are well and looking to help, the Mayor is
coordinating and will soon mobilize the [2]Medical Reserve Corps and recast
[3]ServeDC for coronavirus volunteer work.

Below, I have highlighted some important agency updates informed by my
daily calls with the Executive and my Council colleagues. As always, please
see [4]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest COVID-19 news and updates from
Mayor Bowser.

Regards,

Mary

Senior Telephone Town Hall Today

Mayor Bowser is hosting a special Senior Telephone Town Hall to provide an
update on COVID-19. Residents may dial-in or watch the town hall live on
DCN Channel 16. The event will also be live streamed on the Mayor's
[5]Twitter and [6]Facebook accounts.

Tuesday, March 24th at 3:30 pm

Dial-in at : 844-881-1314

*No Passcode Required*

Hospital Capacity, Testing, and Medical Corps Volunteering

Hospital Beds Available for Coronavirus Surge - Currently, area hospitals
are operating at about 68% occupancy, which is actually lower than average.
To build local hospital capacity in the event of a surge in positive
coronavirus cases, DC Health has worked with our hospital system on four
major courses of action:
1. Reducing the number of existing patients – this includes canceling
elective surgeries and discharging non-acute patients
2. Expanding the existing space in hospitals using regulatory waivers –
this will enable hospitals to use previously unlicensed locations to create
additional space
3. DC Health is also working on ways to identify and potentially refigure
existing facilities across the District, such as nursing homes, unused
hotels, etc., for use in the event of a patient surge
4. The Executive has also been working closely with the US Army Corps of
Engineers to identify a potential site for a large medical surge facility
should one be necessary – this includes determining what resources would be
needed for such a facility to become operational

Testing - There is a nationwide shortage of COVID-19 testing kits, swabs,
and the protective gear needed to safely administer tests, and these
shortages have also affected the District. Currently, the District has the
ability to test and process 100-150 tests per day. That should increase to
360 tests per day by April 6th.

New technology may help with testing processes and particularly with the
speed of the testing process and wait times for results. That technology
includes the new FDA-approved 45 minute rapid test. Currently, the Public
Health Lab and 3 hospitals are confirmed to have the instrument needed to
do this new form of testing. The instrument to develop that test, by the
way, was created by the District's only Fortune 100 company. Accordingly,
Mayor Bowser has already been in contact with the company's CEO to discuss
the District's testing needs.

Volunteer with the DC Medical Reserve Corps - The Medical Reserve Corps is
preparing volunteers for the response to a potential surge in positive
coronavirus patients. The Corps currently has 600 reserve members and is
recruiting additional community volunteers. These volunteers will:
* Provide medical screening and support in mass care settings
* Assist with patient tracking at planned events
* Support medical countermeasures, distribution, and dispensing
activities
* Provide assistance with planned and unplanned public health activities

For those who are healthy and wish to volunteer either their medical
expertise or serve in an administrative/coordinating capacity, please see:
[7][link removed].

DC Tax Filings

Filing Deadline Extended to July 15th - The District’s individual income
tax filing deadline has been changed from April 15th to July 15th. This
means taxpayers will have an additional 90 days to file and pay, and there
is no need to file an application for an extension.
* The Internal Revenue Service has also extended the federal filing and
payment deadline to July 15th, 2020
* The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) encourages taxpayers who are able
to file their returns electronically to do so
* For additional information, please contact OTR’s Customer Service
Center at (202) 727-4TAX (4829)

Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Small Business Recovery Grants - The District's new small business grant
program will become available to District businesses starting Today, March
24th. Created through emergency legislation passed by the Council last
Tuesday, so far $25 million has been designated for the microgrant fund.

For this first round of grant funding, small business owners must submit
completed applications by Friday, March 27th.

Eligibility criteria includes:
* That the business is located in the District
* The business maintains an up to date license
* That the business is able to demonstrate at least a 25% revenue loss
related to the coronavirus

To apply, please collect the following documents:
* 2017 & 2018 tax returns (personal returns are accepted if business
returns are unavailable)
* 2019 Profit & Loss Statement
* Schedule of Liabilities

The grant application link will be made available here:
* [8][link removed]

Tidal Basin Road Closures & Sidewalk and Bike lane Restrictions

Mayor Bowser has extended road closures and is taking additional measures
to restrict access to the Tidal Basin. The Mayor has directed the
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to work with the DC National Guard to
enforce a restricted access zone around the Tidal Basin until further
notice to ensure social distancing and prevent further community
transmission of COVID-19. Further, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be
restricted in the area of the National Mall.

Members of the public will not be able to enter the Jefferson Memorial or
the National Mall in the area bounded by 14th Street to 23rd Street and
Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue, SW. Further, pedestrian and
bicycle traffic will be restricted in the area of the Tidal Basin.

For more on the closures, please see: [9]Street Closures

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, staff are teleworking and will
remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to [10]email the office directly or reach us via phone
through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget
requests, and constituent services requests.

[11]Facebook [12]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

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