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Coronavirus Update: Food Resources, Sidewalk Widening, & COVID Testing
Dear Neighbors,
As The Washington City Paper recently reported, residents who are homebound have struggled with food access during the coronavirus public health emergency, and much of this is due to the increased demand for grocery delivery services. To address this issue, the District has created a food and essential item delivery resource for our neighbors who are unable to leave their homes safely during the emergency. This may include residents who have been directed by a healthcare provider to stay at home, those who are positive for COVID-19 and are quarantining, as well as those who do do not have access to necessary prescription medications. Residents in need should consult the website (gethelp.dc.gov) or call the hotline (1-888-349-8323) to take advantage of this new resource.
The District has also opened ten school grocery sites this week to help increase at-home food access for local families in the District's most food-insecure areas (pictured below). This new grocery program compliments our many other food access programs during the COVID-19 emergency and, as Mayor Bowser announced today that she expects that we'll need until May 15th to flatten the COVID-19 curve, these resources will be critical over the next month of closures and social distancing. With that in mind, I encourage residents to help us share the news and links to these new options.
Regards,
Mary
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Being Mindful for our Blind Neighbors
Careful Social Distancing - Last week, Ward 3 resident Olivia Norman shared some helpful recommendations for sighted residents on how to help those who cannot see (or see well) more safely social distance during the public health emergency. Ms. Norman and her guide dog, Tofu, have experienced fellow sidewalk users, including runners, who are not as mindful of the fact that social distancing can be more difficult for those who are unable to see.
Here are Ms. Norman's tips:
- If you see someone using a white cane or walking with their guide dog, please let them know you are there or that you are approaching
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It is helpful to include which direction you’re coming from to help the person try and move out of your way—communication is key!
- It is especially critical for dog walkers to speak up when they see someone with a guide dog approaching
- If you see someone who is blind struggling to find, say, a crosswalk, ask them if they need help (don't make assumptions)
Read more in The Washington City Paper: "I think the people of D.C. are good and they do want to do the right thing," says Norman, "and so I'm glad I can tell them how."
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Sidewalk Widening & Road Closures
Widening Sidewalks - Beginning this Friday, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will begin installing street barricades in front of grocery stores and other essential businesses in order to expand the sidewalk space and promote social distancing for shoppers. The DDOT Director has indicated to Councilmember Cheh that the District-wide plan to expand sidewalk space may include the temporary closure of the Cleveland Park service lane. The agency also said it is considering additional road closures and/or creating additional roadway pedestrian spaces.
Road Closures for Outdoor Recreation- The District has coordinated with the National Park Service and U.S. Park Police to close road segments of the following federal parks to vehicle traffic during the public health emergency:
- Rock Creek Park (This closure is consistent with the existing weekend closures)
- Anacostia Park (Closed to vehicle traffic from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm)
- Fort Dupont Park (Closed to vehicle traffic from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm)
These closures will better enable walkers, runners, and cyclists to more safely social distance while using the parks for recreation throughout the week. For Ward 3 residents who regularly access Rock Creek Park, the portion of Beach Drive to Broad Branch will be closed to vehicle traffic from now through the end of the public health emergency.
Ticketing Reminder- Ticketing for expired meters has been suspended during the public health emergency, but all other infractions (parking in front of a fire hydrant, in a bus stop, etc.) remain subject to ticketing.
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Public COVID-19 Testing Sites
Free & Public Testing Sites - The District is offering free, appointment-required COVID-19 testing for residents who do not have a primary care provider and have experienced symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath. For those who meet the criteria and would like to seek testing, please call the hotline number 855-363-0333 (for English) or 844-796-2797 (for Spanish) Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Additional public testing sites are listed below:
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Plastic Bag Tax Temporarily Suspended
No 5 Cent Fee During Emergency - The District's 5 cent plastic bag fee, an important component of our Anacostia River clean up efforts, will not be enforced during the public health emergency. Due to concerns that reusable bags may spread COVID-19, shoppers who choose to bring their own bags will be asked to bag their own groceries at check-out.
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Voting By Mail
Given the current public health circumstances, residents are strongly encouraged to vote by mail this election cycle with an absentee ballot. To help accommodate this goal, all District voters will be mailed a Voters Guide that will include the application for a mail-in ballot and a prepaid envelope (this is not the ballot itself, it is an application for a ballot).
There are Six Ways to Request an Absentee Ballot:
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If a community group or organization (like a senior home) would like the online Board of Elections (BOE) presentation and Q&A on the safety arrangements being made for the upcoming election, they should contact BOE at [email protected].
For frequently asked questions, please see BOE's FAQ Page.
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Complete the Census Today
Only 56% of Ward 3 households have completed the 2020 Census. Homes that have not responded to the census will now receive paper forms. That means residents will have three ways to respond to the census—online, by phone, or through mail.
Census data is critical for emergency planning and response, and members of your household should include anyone living in your household at the time you fill out the form (including any family members who are staying with you during COVID-19). In the case of coronavirus, this data will help identify which communities are in need of direct resources and key prevention efforts. These resources include:
- Health Care (Medicaid, Medicare, Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and hospital funding)
- Workforce Assistance (unemployment insurance and aid for dislocated workers)
- Food Assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) funding)
- Disability Services
- Senior Services
Please call 844-330-2020 for more information or see 2020 Census to fill out your household's census online.
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Please Share Volunteer Opportunities with Councilmember Cheh!
There are so many wonderful community-driven volunteer and donation opportunities that have arisen in response to the coronavirus epidemic, and Councilmember Cheh would love to share those efforts with more Ward 3 neighbors in future updates. If you are involved with a community group or organization doing good work in Ward 3, please email the details to Kelly Whittier at [email protected].
Today's feature is the Ward 3 Mutual Aid Network, please see their flyer below:
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
First Responder, Essential Employee, & Sibley Memorial Hospital Thank You Caravan
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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, she and her 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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