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Coronavirus Update:
Dear Neighbors,
Today I'm very pleased to share a number of positive developments with the community. This morning, it was announced that an additional $8 million in funding was identified for the local small business grant program. This is a significant enhancement to the original $25 million that was designated to support our small business community. As there were over 7,000 applicants in the original pool, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) will not reopen the grant application, but will continue to award grants through the existing applications.
The District has also expanded the coronavirus testing criteria to those who may not exhibit symptoms, but who meet other new eligibility criteria. This lower threshold for testing includes experiencing close proximity exposure to a known positive case, working in a critical infrastructure or essential worker position, living in a long-term care facility with a known positive patient, and other, more typical, health-related criteria such as having underlying health conditions coupled with mild symptoms of illness. The District is also working towards making antibody testing available by the end of next week. DC Health is in the midst of identifying the most reliable and accurate test, and have emphasized that those who test positive for antibodies are not necessarily immune to coronavirus. So, if you do test positive for antibodies, please continue to protect yourself and our community by following social distancing protocols.
And finally, I'm very pleased to share that The Brooks, Ward 3's short-term family shelter, has opened. The Brooks will provide a safe and secure home for local parents and children who need it most. There are coronavirus screening protocols in place for new residents, and we can all agree that the safety and wellbeing of the children who live there is the top priority. I previously toured the building and can attest that it is both attractive and welcoming. And, under the management by our wonderful community partner, Friendship Place, I am confident that the families who locate there will have the services and support they need to get back on their feet.
Regards,
Mary
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Days Inn Operations Update
New Operational Information - The Executive has provided my office with additional operational details of the quarantine site at the Days Inn for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. For those of you who may have missed last Tuesday's virtual ANC 3F meeting, Director Geldart from the Department of Public Works, who is also managing much of the coronavirus response, was on hand to answer community questions and concerns about the exposed personal protective equipment (PPE), the lack of transparency, and safety/operational issues at the site. The Forest Hills Connection has a summary of the meeting available online: Here.
While this is unfortunately not the only quarantine site with management concerns, I have been pleased with the response and renewed operational oversight efforts by Director Geldart and his team. Here is some additional information from the City Administrator in response to a series of questions I've submitted on the Days Inn site:
Are residents required to remain in isolation by agreement with accepting to quarantine there or otherwise? Everyone residing in an isolation and quarantine site is asked to sign an agreement not to leave their room upon arrival.
Are residents getting the medical care and attention they need? Yes. Upon arrival, Medical staff perform an intake process. On a daily basis, medical staff conduct wellness checks with each resident, screening for symptoms and ensuring that any medical needs are addressed.
How many residents are there? As of 4/26, there are 125 residents at the Days Inn.
From what agency (or third party) are the staff from and how are they trained? Daily there are between 20-35 staff and contracted providers on-site from the Department of Human Services (DHS), Unity Healthcare, and contracted providers.
- DHS provides a mandatory orientation and training for staff which includes the following sections: ISAQ overview, customer service, roles overview, data entry, policies and procedures, PPE use, client engagement, and client de-escalation.
What PPE are they given, how is it to be discarded, and can staff leave the building wearing PPE? The types of PPE given depend on the role of staff, but at minimum, include face masks and gloves. Contracted medical staff and cleaning staff have additional PPE requirements based on duties performed. All PPE is provided by either DHS or the contracted vendor.
- All PPE should be removed and discarded in accordance with the CDC's recommended removal process for PPE.
- Staff and contractors may, similar to the general public, wear face masks outside of the building.
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Additional Office of Tax & Revenue (OTR) Resources
Tax Waiver Form - Businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus public health emergency who would like to request a Real Property Tax Penalty & Interest Waiver must submit an ASD-900 form to be considered by OTR.
New Webpage - OTR has also created a new webpage to help taxpayers, businesses, and property owners remain updated on all available information and guidance as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. OTR will update the page as new information becomes available.
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Friendship Place in need of Pantry Donations! |
Support La Casa - For those looking for opportunities to donate during the COVID-19 public health emergency, Friendship Place is in need of critical pantry items for their La Casa residence for highly vulnerable adult men.
Helpful pantry items include:
Non-Perishable Items, Canned Beans, Soups, Pastas, Tuna, Spam, & Toilet Paper
For details on how to donate, please reach out to [email protected].
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Mortgage Relief Emergency Amendment Act of 2020
B23-735 - The Council has passed additional legislation to ensure that the rent and mortgage benefits included in the previously passed Supplemental Emergency Act of 2020 are implemented as intended. Introduced by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Chair of the Council Committee on Business and Economic Development, the legislation makes the following clarifications:
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Clarifies that mortgage lenders are subject to the requirements of the Supplemental Emergency Act, this includes offering mortgage payment deferral programs to borrowers
- Requires lenders to provide notice of approved deferral applications to the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking
- Requires that a borrower who is approved for a mortgage deferral also provide notice to tenants
- Clarifies the rent reduction that tenants are entitled to if a landlord receives a mortgage deferral
- Clarifies the amount that a landlord may require a tenant to repay following the deferral period
For more on the bill, please see: Mortgage Relief Emergency Amendment Act of 2020
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The Van Ness Main Street is hosting a Virtual Annual Meeting this Friday, May 1st, to discuss the 2019 Annual Report and plans to help our small local business community recover from the many economic challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speakers include Board President Sarah Cumbie, VNMS Executive Director Gloria Garcia, Councilmember Mary Cheh, and UDC Chief Operating Officer Troy Stovall.
Friday, May 1st, from 9:00-10:00 am
Log in to Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4298099185
One tap mobile: 646-876-9923, 4298099185#
Or Dial: 646-876-9923, Meeting ID: 429 809 9185
This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to join!
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From Sibley Memorial Hospital & Johns Hopkins Medicine: |
Attention Washington Sports Club Members
Policy Change - After numerous complaints and intervention from the District's Attorney General Karl Racine, Town Sports International, LLC (TSI), the parent company of Washington Sports Club, has announced that they will stop issuing unreasonable fees and charges while gyms are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy change follows a letter from AG Racine and other state Attorneys General demanding the company stop charging customers for memberships that they cannot use.
Following discussions between TSI and the states, TSI has agreed to:
- Automatically freeze all Washington Sports Club memberships, effective as of April 8, 2020, at no cost to members
- Issue credits to members for dues and fees paid for cancellation or freezing of accounts after the District’s order directing the closure of health clubs first went into effect
- Honor all cancellation requests submitted by April 30th, 2020, without charging cancellation fees or requiring advance notice
- Contact all consumers who filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General to resolve those individual complaints
Members may submit cancellation requests by filling out the “Contact Us” form on the Washington Sports Club website.
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
Girl Scout Troop 42044 Donates Cookie Money
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The incredible young leaders of Girl Scout Troop 42044 have decided to donate their cookie money to the DC Food Project to help support DC families enrolled in the organization's Emergency Weekend Bag program.
These bags provide vital healthy food access to local children in need, and we couldn't be prouder of the girls from Troop 42044!
To watch a message from Isabella (pictured left) on food access, please see: Go Bananas for DC Food Project.
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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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