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Coronavirus Update
Dear Neighbors,
Every day, I join a conference call with my Council colleagues and Mayor Bowser's executive team, with the Mayor often joining, to discuss the District's status and response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. These calls have provided opportunities to offer ideas, seek clarity on new policies, and to advocate on issues that residents have brought to the Council amid the COVID-19 response (for those who have asked, unfortunately, the deadline for filing property taxes will not be extended).
During today's call, Mayor Bowser alerted the Council that she has sent a letter to the President to request that he issue a Major Disaster Declaration for the District of Columbia as a result of the impacts of the virus. If approved, the Declaration would provide assistance to the District’s Emergency Response Services and to residents and businesses that have been severely impacted by COVID-19. At a time when Congress shortchanged the District in the historic $2 trillion relief package, this additional federal support is critical.
On a final note, today was a particularly somber day for those of us in the District government. This morning, Mayor Bowser shared the news of the passing of George Valentine, a longtime and dedicated public servant, who died from coronavirus. Mr. Valentine spent 16 years fighting for District residents in the Attorney General's Office and joined the Mayor's legal team last year. His loss is deeply felt. Please join me in extending condolences to Mr. Valentine's family and loved ones, to Mayor Bowser and Attorney General Karl Racine, and to all those who had the honor of working alongside him.
Regards,
Mary
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Volunteer for our Ward 3 Seniors
The Cleveland & Woodley Park Village is working hard to keep our seniors safe and connected during the COVID-19 emergency. As time goes on, so many of our homebound, quarantined, and vulnerable seniors will become further isolated and in great need of our help. And the Village is calling on us to help.
If you are, or know a senior who is in need of help with essentials, such as deliveries of groceries and prescriptions or trips to the doctor, please call the Village at (202) 615-5853 or email at:
If you would like to volunteer your time to drop off groceries or other essentials for seniors who are homebound, please call the Village at the number above or submit a volunteer application at:
Senior Meal Deliveries - The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) is coordinating weekly grocery deliveries for seniors in need. At the moment, DACL is conducting around 2,000 deliveries a day and is focusing on our most vulnerable seniors and those who normally rely on the agency for meals; however, the call center will do a quick assessment with the caller and connect them to meal or other programs.
- To register, please call (202) 724-5626 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
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Supporting District Students in Need
DC Education Equity Fund - On Tuesday, Mayor Bowser launched the DC Education Equity Fund to assist with providing resources and support to students, educators, and schools during the distance learning period. The fund will be used to increase internet access and will help in the purchase of digital devices for vulnerable students who need access to this technology while learning at home.
The Ward 3 School Meals Site is Open! - The closure of school buildings during COVID-19 has put some of our students who depend on free school breakfast and free and reduced meals at risk of hunger. Free meals sites have opened across the District to distribute free grab-and-go meals for children. Ward 3's new free meals site is located at Wilson High School (3950 Chesapeake Street NW) and will be offering meals Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
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For a comprehensive map of all meal resources in the District (including meals for seniors, students, and free groceries ), please see: Meal Resource Map
Online Student & Family Resources - The State Board of Education has created several new online resources for families as they navigate school choice options for the next school year, including:
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Demanding Fair COVID-19 Relief Funding from Congress
Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund Shortchanges DC - The Congressional Coronavirus Relief Fund package has severely under-allocated funding for the District of Columbia. While funding amounts will predominantly be determined by the previous census data, every state is guaranteed a minimum of $1.25 billion in relief funding. The District, however; will only see about $500 million in relief funding as Congress has grouped the District together with the five U.S. territories in the funding package. To put that into perspective, the District will receive significantly less than Wyoming and Vermont, both of which have smaller populations. While there was no opportunity to modify this particular funding package, the District must be treated as a state in future relief packages. The Council and Mayor detailed this urgent need in a letter to Senate leadership.
Moving forward, we will not be alone in advocating on the District's behalf. Attorney General Karl Racine has garnered the support of 36 other Attorneys General across the country, including ten republican Attorneys General, in protest of the funding allotment for the District of Columbia. We also have a number of representatives speaking out against this unfair treatment and Delegate Norton will, of course, continue to fight for representation in the next spending package.
This is not a partisan issue. It is a public health, safety, and economic imperative.
If you would like more information on the relief package and what is happening at the federal level, you may find this recent New York Times piece to be a helpful source: F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Plan.
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Vote By Mail with an Absentee Ballot
Avoid voting in-person - The DC Board of Elections (BOE) is working on ways to more safely hold elections amidst the COVID-19 public health emergency, should it continue through the summer or return in the fall.
To do this, BOE is looking at ways to minimize crowding at voting precincts and encourages voters to vote by mail using an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots do not require a reason or explanation for their use and may be requested online or through BOE's app. BOE will soon also open a call center for requests by phone.
- Absentee ballots will be distributed on May 1st
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To request an absentee ballot online, please go to: https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Absentee
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Utilities & Public Service Commission Resources
New Consumer Resource Website - The Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched an online resource page to provide up-to-date information regarding government operations, utility response efforts, and PSC actions.
Here is a brief reminder for residents on consumer utility rights during the public health emergency:
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Utility Disconnections - The Council passed the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 prohibiting the disconnection of utility services for non-payment of fees during, and 15 days after, the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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Utility Reconnections - Pepco and DC Water will reconnect residential customers who had their service disconnected prior to the public health emergency.
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Waiver of Late Fees - Pepco, DC Water, Washington Gas, and Verizon are waiving late payment fees and offering new payment arrangements. Pepco is also identifying energy assistance options for eligible consumers.
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Energy Suppliers Door-to-Door Marketing Moratorium: The PSC has requested that all electric and natural gas suppliers and their third-party marketing companies immediately discontinue all door-to-door solicitation and marketing efforts.
For more information on utilities, please visit the PSC's COVID-19 resource page at https://dcpsc.org/Coronavirus.aspx.
If you suspect that you may have been contacted by a utility scam, please see the PSC's website for tools, updates on the latest utility scams, and the consumer empowerment guide: Fight Utility Scams.
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Public Transportation Updates |
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The Circulator - Starting tonight, the Circulator will suspend late night weekend service on the Georgetown-Union Station, Rosslyn-Dupont Circle and Woodley Park-McPherson Square routes.
WMATA - Metro will operate significantly reduced rail and bus service this weekend, maintaining a core network of 26 “lifeline” bus routes and providing twice-hourly rail service for our region’s essential travel needs. Essential travel includes medical providers and hospital staff, first responders, critical government functions, individuals involved in helping the community respond to COVID-19, grocery and pharmacy trips, among others.
On Tuesday, Metro announced 17 station and entrance closures across the District, including the closure of the Cleveland Park Station.
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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 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.
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