April 2020

Coronavirus Update: The District's COVID-19 Data

Dear Neighbors,

As of today, the District has experienced 15 deaths and 757 confirmed
positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including 77 cases in
Ward 3. Over 5,500 residents have been tested for the virus and 206
individuals have fully recovered from it. In response to repeated calls for
more detailed data on the District's positive COVID-19 cases, DC Health
will now share a larger dataset with the public and will post daily updates
[1]online. This information includes a Ward breakdown of positive cases as
well as cases among essential agency personnel and the growing totals of
vital hospital equipment (ICU beds, ventilators in use, ventilators
available, etc.). While not a complete demographic dataset, I'm grateful to
DC Health for increasing local data transparency for the public.

In addition to publishing the expanded dataset, this morning Mayor Bowser
gave a [2]presentation on the District's preparations status for the peak
of the outbreak and the subsequent height of the hospital surge. In it, she
detailed the District's use of CHIME projection modeling that estimates
that the District will experience about 93,676 cumulative cases of COVID-19
and that the peak will likely occur in late June or early July. The range
of projected deaths from the disease ranges from 220 to potentially over
1,000 deaths. I have shared a selection of slides from the Mayor's
presentation below, to view the document in its entirety, please see:
[3]Situational Update. These projections serve as a sobering reminder that
the best thing we can all do to reduce the number of deaths in our
community is to stay home whenever possible. No one should be placing
themselves or others at risk by not practicing social distancing and
potentially catching or spreading this virus.

On a related note, on Tuesday the Council will convene a remote Legislative
Meeting to pass additional emergency legislation in response to several
programmatic and policy needs that have arisen since the start of the
outbreak. Among many provisions, the legislation aims to provide additional
relief for those who have become unemployed due to COVID-19, establishes a
requirement that mortgage companies offer a 90-day deferment program,
supports mail-in voting options for the June primary/special election, and
creates stronger protections for renters. I'll share more on the bill's
provisions once it's finalized on Tuesday and encourage residents to join
us by watching the meeting live [4]online.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [5]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [6]marycheh.com or by emailing
[7][email protected]

For COVID-19 Vendors & PPE Donations

Vendors who are interested in selling or donating goods and services to
help aid in the District's COVID-19 response effort are encouraged to reach
out to the Mayor's team with your offer through the following
email: [8]vendor[9][email protected].

From the Washington Post: This is what it's like to be a sanitation worker
during the coronavirus outbreak

[10]video

Please do not flush disinfecting wipes!

Sewer infrastructure under strain - As more households increasingly use
disinfecting wipes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many residents
have been under the impression that they are safe to flush down the toilet
for disposal. However, this practice has recently put a great strain on the
District's sewer system, resulting in greater clogs and backups over the
past two months.

To read more on how these wipes damage the District's pipes, please see
WAMU's recent story: [11]People Are Using More Wipes Because Of
Coronavirus, Clogging Sewers. And please, do not flush disinfecting wipes!

(It should also be noted that rubber gloves are not recyclable, so please
also throw those away in the trash)

Vote By Mail with an Absentee Ballot

Vote Safe DC - The DC Board of Elections (BOE) is working on ways to more
safely hold elections amidst the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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
* To request an absentee ballot online, please go to:
[link removed]

Establish a Pet Plan During COVID-19

Guidance from the Humane Rescue Alliance - The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)
is urging community members to have a plan in place for their pet during
the COVID-19 outbreak. Residents may experience a hospital stay or severe
sickness, potentially leaving untold numbers of companion animals in need
of care. Below is the HRA's guidance for a pet preparedness plan:

1. Find a temporary caregiver to take on your pets if you are
hospitalized. The best place for your pet, even if you are sick, is with
you in your home. However, you may become too ill to care for your pet.
It’s important to identify two potential caregivers and confirm that
they’re prepared to care for your pet should they be called to action.

2. Prepare a pet supply kit. It may not seem necessary today, but having
proper supplies and information in place in advance is critical. Your kit
should include:
* Name and contact information for a person who can care for your pets
* Name and contact information for your back-up in case your go-to is no
longer able to help
* Food, treats, a leash, toys and any other supplies necessary to care
for your pet for at least two weeks
* A crate or carrier to transport your pet
* Vaccination records
* Collar with ID tags (don’t forget to make sure their microchip
information is up to date)
* Medications and prescriptions, along with instructions
* Daily care instructions
* Your veterinarian's contact information

3. Know the facts. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there is
no evidence that people can get COVID-19 from pets. The best place for your
animal is inside the home they know and love. If you aren’t feeling well
but are still able to provide care for your pet, please keep them at home
with you where they’re most comfortable.

Fore more, please see the [12]Humane Rescue Alliance.

MPD Warns Against COVID-19 Scams

During this public health emergency, scammers have taken an opportunity to
defraud citizens in various ways. MPD has recently been notified of
individuals in the District going door-to-door attempting to sell
“Coronavirus insurance.” Those interactions are suspected to be
fraudulent.

In effort to keep the community safe, MPD asks the public to avoid the
following COVID-19 related scams:
* Individuals offering to sell treatment for COVID-19, such as cures,
vaccines, and insurance
* Online sales of high demand medical supplies such as surgical masks
* Telephone calls or emails demanding funds for COVID-19 treatment or
other medical services
* Solicitation of donations for those affected by COVID-19
* Phishing telephone calls, text messages, or emails from national and
global health authorities asking to provide personal and/or financial
information
* Unofficial COVID-19 apps or downloads that can potentially compromise
users’ devices and personal information with malware
* Investments claiming to prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19

The Department takes matters such as this seriously and will hold such
offenders accountable for their actions. If you have been a victim or have
knowledge of a suspected Coronavirus fraud or scams in the District, please
contact the Metropolitan Police Department Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit
at 202-727-4159 or [13][email protected].

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 [14]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.

[15]Facebook [16]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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