April 20, 2020

Coronavirus Update: A Note on the Days Inn

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, as I was walking along Connecticut Ave, I was stopped by a
reporter seeking comment on a neighborhood hotel being used as a site for
homeless residents who are self-quarantining due to coronavirus. This was,
unbelievably, the first I had been told of the Days Inn being used for this
purpose. Needless to say, being informed through a chance encounter with
the press is certainly not the way that I expect to be updated of such a
significant community development—I expect greater transparency for
residents and for myself as the Ward 3 Councilmember.

While I still have many outstanding safety and operational questions about
the site, here is what has been detailed to me so far:

The District is using five hotel sites to enable homeless residents to
self-quarantine due to coronavirus. Four residents experiencing
homelessness in the District have died from coronavirus so far, so this
intervention is desperately needed. Patients that are located to a hotel
may have already tested positive, be awaiting test results, or even be
self-quarantining in accordance with exposure protocols. Where many of our
shelters operate with multiple residents to a room, the private room
structure of hotels allows residents to self-isolate more safely.
Importantly, these locations are not operating as medical facilities and
patients will be transported to medical care as needed. We may also see
patients come and go from these sites to seek care for other medical needs
that persist in addition to a positive coronavirus diagnosis. So, there
will likely be an increased ambulance presence along the corridor.

Once it was [1]reported that personal protective equipment (PPE), bed
linens, and waste were improperly disposed of in the alley behind the
hotel, the Department of Public Works (DPW) immediately responded to
properly clear the area. The Director of the agency was also on the scene
to provide guidance and supervision of the disposal. Moving forward, the
site must be strictly managed to not increase the risks we face and to
ensure that this location is safe, sanitary, and does not pose a threat to
public health. I'm following up with the Department of Human Services (DHS)
and the Department of Health (DC Health) for answers to additional
safety-related questions. These include additional safety protocols for
patients and the public, whether patients continue to receive DHS services
and health counseling, who is operating the site, the types of PPE provided
to personnel and patients, etc.

The manner in which the self-quarantine site became public knowledge has
undoubtedly eroded public trust. And perhaps proper communication at the
outset could have prevented much of the fear and alarm felt by many. But,
there is one thing that I would like to emphasize for residents: we are
long into the period of community spread in the District, so all public
spaces and businesses that remain open are likely to already be exposed to
coronavirus. It is by staying home when possible, proper social distancing,
mask and glove wearing, and hand washing that we are able to help keep
ourselves, our families, and others safe.

And so, as we continue to fight coronavirus together, please join me in
extending our best wishes, prayers, and compassion to those who are
fighting this disease.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [2]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

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