From: WARD5@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 7:42 AM
Subject: [WARD5] FW: Coronavirus Update from CM McDuffie
Neighbors
– Please see below for an update on Coronavirus response from Councilmember
McDuffie.
Please note that one additional measure
has come to light since this email was sent less than an hour ago: Starting
Monday, March 16, through Tuesday March 31, DC Public Schools (DCPS) will
implement distance learning. Students will not report to schools during that
time. Full details on schools here: https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus.
From: Councilmember Kenyan R.
McDuffie
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 7:00 AM
Subject: Coronavirus Update
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Neighbors,
As
we continue to be impacted by Coronavirus, I want to update
residents on how I have been working to counter what is now a
global pandemic. Mayor Bowser declared a state of emergency as well
as a public health emergency in the District of Columbia on
Wednesday, March 11th. Since the beginning of the crisis, I have
maintained close contact via daily briefings with District public
health professionals leading our response. I encourage everyone to
stay up to date with the latest information at Coronavirus.dc.gov.
The
health and safety of residents is my primary concern. I ask
everyone to remain vigilant in doing the simple things that we know
can help stem the spread of this highly contagious virus: washing
your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and hot water; using
hand sanitizer when you cannot wash your hands; avoid touching your
face; and seeking medical attention if you have symptoms such as
fever, coughing, or shortness of breath. DC Health has recommended
that non-essential gatherings of more than 1,000 people be
postponed or canceled, and Events DC has closed operations,
including the convention center, until at least March 31st. Other
notable District institutions, including all Smithsonian buildings
and National Zoo, are closed to the public as of Saturday. The
Washington City Paper is keeping an updated
list of closures in the region.
I
know that parents of school-age children face a lot of uncertainty
about the status of our schools. District officials continue to
assess the need to close the schools with the recognition that not
all parents can telework to stay home with their kids, and some of
our children rely on the meals provided at school. DC Public
Schools have shifted an already scheduled teacher development day
from Friday, March 20th to Monday, March 16th (https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus),
so that teachers and staff are up to speed on contingency plans for
distance learning, should those need to go into effect.
These
measures to save lives and stop the spread of Coronavirus continue
to disrupt our economy and threaten the livelihoods of many
residents. The Council will be taking up emergency and temporary
legislative bills on Tuesday, March 17th, to address many of these
areas of concern. We will seek to prohibit evictions and
disconnection of gas, water, and electric service while under a
public health emergency. We will also allow pharmacists to refill
prescriptions before any required waiting period to allow residents
to stock up on medication. You
can see an initial draft of the legislation here.
The bill covers an array of measures expanding unemployment
insurance, providing both tax relief and operating assistance to
small businesses, and providing for paid leave for hourly workers
among other critical policies.
These
are difficult times, and we are taking steps to navigate these
fluctuating conditions. Despite what lies ahead, I believe the
Council, the District government, and our residents are capable of
pulling together to face down this crisis. Again, I encourage all
residents to remain vigilant and take every precaution to keep
yourselves and our community safe.
In
service,
Kenyan
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