 |
Coronavirus Update: Phase 1 to Begin May 29th
Dear Neighbors,
Mayor Bowser has announced the lifting of the District's stay-at-home order and the beginning of Phase 1 of the District's reopening plan effective Friday, May 29th. Notably, non-essential businesses will be permitted to reopen with curbside pick-up, restaurants may provide outdoor dining in addition to pick-up and delivery, and hair salons and barbers may accept clients under specific social distancing protocols. Our public parks, dog parks, golf courses, tennis courts, and fields will reopen for public use, but our playgrounds and indoor recreation centers will remain closed. For specific health guidelines on other Phase 1 subjects, including childcare, elective surgery, dental care, seniors, and more, please see: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/phaseone.
Today's reopening announcement follows 14 days of reported decline in community spread, but it should be emphasized that coronavirus remains in our community and, as such, the public health emergency remains in effect. As the Mayor noted at her press conference, the risk for infection continues as more residents move around the District. The best way we can protect others, ourselves, and our essential workers is to get tested when experiencing symptoms, to maintain social distancing, by wearing masks when outside of the home, and by practicing good hygiene. There is always the possibility that the stay-at-home order may be reinstated or modified should DC Health see untenable increases in cases and/or the decline in other reopening metrics. Worse, this would mean that members of our community will have suffered, and some will have died, from this extremely contagious disease.
As many others have noted, wearing masks may be inconvenient and tiring, but it can also be viewed as an act of kindness to others—especially to our essential and frontline workers who are exposed to hundreds of people throughout the day. And for anyone who is interested in learning more about the ethics of wearing a mask or changing one's personal behavior during the coronavirus emergency, the Kojo Nnamdi Show explored this topic on today's program: Ethicists Tackle The Pandemic’s Moral Dilemmas.
Regards,
Mary
|
Food Access During Coronavirus
Help with Buying Food - There are several programs available in the District to help residents buy food, including:
-
Unemployment Benefits - Apply here or call (202) 724-7000 for more information
-
SNAP (EBT/food stamps) - Apply here, submit a paper application in person, or call (202) 727-5355 for more information
-
WIC - If your household has a pregnant woman, infant, or child under 5 years old, you may be eligible to receive WIC benefits. Visit here or call (202)442-9397 for more information
-
Stimulus checks - The federal government is sending one-time checks of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child to anyone with a social security number. If you did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019, you must register to receive a check. Visit www.irs.gov/coronavirus for more information
Help with Accessing Food -
-
Need help applying for SNAP or WIC? Call DC Hunger Solutions at 202-640-1088
-
Online Resources - Visit coronavirus.dc.gov/food for food resources in the District and to access the District resources map
-
Get Help Hotline - Call 1-888-349-8323 or visit gethelp.dc.gov if you have been told to quarantine by a doctor and need food and supplies
Homeless Services, Day Programs, & Meal Sites - To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), many programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness across the District are modifying their operations. The District has created a day shelter and meal site list with the most up-to-date information on the operations of privately funded day programs across the District.
-
The complete list may be found: here. For more information, please call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093
|
New Website to Help Residents Shop Local |
Shop Local - Residents may use the new, resident-operated Support DC website to find neighborhood businesses that are open for delivery, takeout, pick-up and are selling gift cards and merchandise. Search by category, name, or by neighborhood and support our small business community! |
Consumer Protections & Help during COVID-19 |
Have you been scammed, charged late fees on rent, threatened with eviction, denied sick leave by an employer, or otherwise treated unfairly? |
Additional FY21 Budget Resources |
From the Budget Office - The Office of the Budget Director provides support to Councilmembers and staff on matters related to the District’s budget, finances, and economy (this includes policy research and economic analysis). The Budget Office has also launched a budget website with resources and tool kits for Council staff and the public, including:
FY 2021 Budget Oversight Hearings Schedule. Budget Oversight Hearings will be held between May 20, 2020 and June 16, 2020. View the most recent FY 2021 Budget Oversight Hearing Schedule. Watch live or archived hearings via DC Granicus.
Proposed FY 2021 Budget and Financial Plan (released May 18, 2020):
The Mayor's proposed FY 2021 budget is published by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer in multiple volumes.
-
Volume 1 is the Executive Summary, which has detailed information on revenue, expenditures, and other components of the budget.
-
Volumes 2, 3, and 4 are the Agency Budget Chapters. Each agency chapter includes the operating budget, full-time equivalents, and other information related to that fiscal year.
-
Volume 5 is the Capital Improvements Plan for FY 2021 - FY 2026.
-
Volume 6 includes all the Operating Appendices for the agency budget chapters (coming soon).
FY 2021 Budget Tool Kit: The budget tool kit features resources such as a glossary of terms, step-by-step process, and budget legislation summary.
|
Talk to Your Kids about Tobacco & Vaping |
Protect Children - Now is a great time to talk to your kids about the dangers of vaping and smoking. The U.S. Surgeon General and other public health experts have made it absolutely clear: The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens and young adults – and even for adults who currently don’t use other tobacco products.
E-cigarettes pose a number of health risks for young people:
- Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine – some deliver as much nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes or more. Nicotine is very addictive and can harm development of the adolescent brain, which affects attention, memory and learning. Brain development continues into the mid-20s.
- Studies have found that young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to become smokers.
- The Surgeon General has also found that using nicotine during adolescences can increase risk of future addiction to other drugs.
- In addition to nicotine, e-cigarettes can also expose users to other harmful chemicals, like formaldehyde and lead.
Get equipped with the information you need at: FightFlavoredECigs.org.
Legislative Update - The Flavored Electronic Smoking Device Prohibition Amendment Act and the Electronic Smoking Device Sales Restriction Amendment Act, both introduced by Councilmember Cheh in September of 2019, received a hearing by the Judiciary Committee on February 18th, 2020. While they are unable to advance out of the Committee during the public health emergency, Councilmember Cheh is hopeful that both bills with move to the full Council in the fall.
|
Reminder: Metro Requires Masks |
Being Mindful of Spring Wildlife |
City Wildlife - Residents should be especially watchful for wildlife when doing spring yard work and home maintenance: this is the time when a diligent eye can help a chick fallen from its nest, identify a rabbit's nest in the grass before mowing, or even save an orphaned baby animal. City Wildlife is the District's best resource for responding to sick and injured wildlife.
-
To report an animal in need, call Animal Care and Control at (202) 576-6664. Officers will transport the animal to City Wildlife's center for rehabilitation and care.
A Mother's Day Rescue - A dead tree oak was being removed from Forest Hills Connection editor Marlene Berlin's backyard when three baby raccoons were discovered alone in the tree's hollow. Ms. Berlin worked with City Wildlife, Barlett Tree Experts, and Councilmember Cheh to ensure that the baby raccoons were kept safe and warm until the mother returned that evening.
Read the Full Story
|
Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
First Responders Salute Sibley Memorial Hospital
|
Healthcare Heroes - On Friday, May 15th, the Metropolitan Police Department and DC Fire & Emergency Medical Services caravanned through Sibley Memorial Hospital's campus to salute our frontline medical workers during National Hospital Week and Johns Hopkins Health Care Week. |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
