Category Archives: Uncategorized

 

District’s Model Projects 93,000 COVID-19 Infections in 2020 – Peak in June/July

by Larry Janezich

The model DC is using to estimate the number of COVID-19 infections in the city projects a total of 93,696 infections during the span of the pandemic in 2020, a peak of infection at the end of June or the beginning of July, and a range of deaths from 220 to 1000 plus.

DC is using the CHIME model for those projections because, Mayor Bowser said during a briefing at the DC Armory, it has a more realistic estimate of the amount of contact individuals will have with each other.  If the model’s projections bear out, DC will need 3000 acute care beds and 2800 ICU beds at the peak – a 125% increase from what is currently available.  3/4 of the needed projected increase has been accounted for under current plans by increasing inside and outside capacity of existing health care facilities.  For the rest, the city is looking at adding capacity in other venues, such as the armory and hotels, but no decision has been made.

Councilmember Charles Allen pointed to a critical gap in the social distancing mitigation, asking the Mayor about what she could do to enforce social distancing in grocery stores.  One of the most worrisome aspects of shopping is for the safety of unmasked checkout clerks during interaction with hundreds of customers as shoppers check out.  Councilmember Gray asked if the city could provide protective gear for the store workers.  Bowser said the city was in discussions with store management and labor to see what the city can do with respect to social distancing.  She also said that she would discuss Gray’s concerns, but noted that the city currently is struggling to provide protective equipment for its first responders and health care personnel.

Other points made during the briefing:

• The city has started posting the number of positive cases by Ward here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/coronavirus-data There are currently 128 positive cases in Ward 6, an increase of 16 over yesterday. Bowser said there was nothing remarkable about the disparity between the number cases in the 8 Wards.
• Today is the first day of the drive-through virus test facility at the United Medical Center. A doctor’s referral is necessary.

ANC6B Commissioner and City Council candidate Chander Jayaraman attended the briefing and later told Capitol Hill Corner: “I was impressed with Mayor Bowser and the competent team she has assembled to deal with the expected surge.  I feel confident she is utilizing the right data=driven approach to project what the city will need in terms of medical services and assets to deal with this crisis.”

The Alibi Ups Its Game – Raw/Prepared Meals, Alcohol & Local Groceries for Pick Up/Delivery

By Larry Janezich

The hard-to-find Alibi, a British American Pub, lies hidden away at 237 2^nd Street, NW.  In light of the restaurant shutdown, the pub has upped its game, offering raw meals, prepped meals, alcohol and local groceries, available for pick up or free delivery within two miles.

Check out their website, here: https://thealibidc.com/washington-capitol-hill-the-alibi-food-menu

Unprecedented Citywide ANC Virtual Discussion Provides COVID-19 Pipeline to Mayor, Council

by Larry Janezich

A new initiative in the form of virtual conferencing for all ANC commissioners citywide provides a forum for comment feedback to city officials on the city’s response to COVID-19.

The unprecedented virtual conference is the brainchild of former Chair and current Vice Chair of ANC6B, and current City Council a Large candidate, Chander Jayaraman.  The first of the meetings – hosted by Jayaraman and current ANC6B Chair Brian Ready occurred March 25.  Fifty ANC Commissioners from across the city participated on the Zoom platform.

That meeting’s theme was “Keeping Communities Strong in the Face of COVID-19”.  Jayaraman, who has nearly two decades of experience in emergency response management, presented key tips that could be used to help keep neighborhoods and local businesses strong during the crisis. Then followed a general discussion to share concerns and strategies for the ANCs to provide support for their communities.

The result of the first meeting was a memo which was forwarded to the Mayor and to members of the Council last Friday.  Some of the requests and needs raised in the memo included:

A request for daily updates on numbers of COVID-19 cases confirmed by Ward and the current rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations. (Subsequently, this morning, the Mayor announced Ward data would be included in daily updates.)

Temporary relief from quarterly sales tax and property tax for small businesses.

Relief for small business owners who pay themselves out of business revenues, but are currently ineligible for unemployment benefits.

A need to address residents’ concerns about the potential for spread of COVID-19 among construction workers and to clarify what guidance has been given private contractors.  (DGS has issued COVID-19 Guidelines for Construction Sites but concerns remain regarding how they will be enforced and to what degree they will be adhered to.)

Immediate relief for the child care community to avoid permanent closures.

Support to establish and coordinate more food banks.

The memo also named some strategies communities are taking including creation of neighbor check-ins for the most vulnerable residents, development of food collection and preparation efforts, creation of neighborhood volunteer networks, and mutual aid groups to help neighbors.

After submitting the memo to the city officials, Jayaraman said he heard from two council members.  CM Charles Allen said he was looking forward to reading the memo, and CM Robert White expressed a desire to be involved in the next meeting. Jayaraman invited him to open up a second virtual conversation which occurred last night.

According to Jayaraman, White reviewed the memo produced by the first meeting, acknowledging specifically the concerns about construction workers.  He also said deferring property taxes was not an option given the city’s need to pay its own bills in April, and that the city would consider continued relief for small businesses.  The city has received 4,000 requests for the $25,000 grants afforded under the $25 million fund established by the city council, a number that if equally proportioned would provide only $6500 to each.  He said he would consider a concern of co-host Brian Ready regarding the set of people – recent hires, small business owners, and others – who are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Jayaraman said a theme common to both meetings was the risk posed by lack of virus protection standards for construction workers as work on projects continues unabated.  With hundreds of large sites he doubts that DCRA inspectors will be able to monitor conditions on work sites.  He noted that NYC halted all non-critical construction, excluding hospitals and low-income housing.

Ready, Chair of ANC6B, credited Jayaraman’s outreach effort, saying the virtual meeting is “a forum for all commissioners across the city to discuss the challenges and concerns they are having. The things they’ve seen give us a better understanding of what the landscape is like for parts of the city.”

Jayaraman said, that the virus has been a unifying force for the city and the virtual meetings show how the amplified unified structure of the ANC can be a voice for the communities.  He sees an opportunity for the city’s Office of ANCs to set up a structure to tap into the ANCs’ opinion on major issues in the future.  The general consensus, he said, is that the meetings are helpful and should continue weekly throughout the crisis.  He says he is considering other ways to add value to the meetings such as inviting city officials to present, and suggested a presentation on the impact of the virus on the homeless, for example.  The next meeting will be Monday April 6 at 8:00pm, where one of the questions to be decided is whether to let the press listen in on the meetings.

Jayaraman said, “The virtual meeting is a great opportunity to bring together elected officials closest to the community to express concerns and discuss what’s working and to share that with our leaders as we move forward together through this crisis.”

(In Lieu of) The Week Ahead…Some Images from the Week Past

by Larry Janezich

 

 

 

 

 

ANC6B Commissioner Kasie Clark Resigns

by Larry Janezich

ANC6B09 Commissioner Kasie Clark has resigned as the representative of single member district, ANC6B09. Yesterday’s District of Columbia Register posted a notice from the Board of Elections certifying the vacancy.  Clark had made it known in February she would resign in March owing to her relocation out of the District.  Her Single Member District (SMD 6B09) abuts part of Reservation 13 to the east and includes half of Barney Circle, the old Boys and Girls Club – currently under development, and Congressional Cemetery.  Clark was elected in 2018, for the two year term ending January 1, 2021.

Clark, is currently a program Director at College to Congress – a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a more diverse and effective Congress by financially supporting full time Congressional interns with members of Congress.

A major concern of the 6B09 will be the redevelopment of Barney Circle, currently being planned by the District Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.  Other issues include the development of Reservation 13, https://bit.ly/2UJ11Pp the first phase of which is now under construction, discussion and community input on the future of DC Jail, and the problems associated with the high volume of commuter traffic through the community.  The on-going struggle with pop-ups – which are tolerated outside of the Historic District, often over the objections of neighbors, will likely heat up as the city looks for ways to increase density to address the lack of affordable housing. In 2010, ANC opposition quashed a bid to establish a Barney Circle Historic District, but as of now, there is nothing indicating an attempt to revive that effort.  The SMD has a few commercial establishments on 15^th Street, but is free from the headaches sometimes brought to the ANC by liquor licenses.

The usual procedure for filling the seat once declared vacant is by special election at a time and place determined by the ANC.  Candidates must submit a qualifying petition signed by 25 6B09 SMD residents to the Board of Elections.  If only one qualified candidate emerges, the usual procedure is for the ANC to declare that candidate the new commissioner. Capitol Hill Corner will post the details as they become available.

A map of ANC6B is below showing the boundaries of Single Member District 6B09.

National Park Service Mistakenly Closes Lincoln Park, Setting Off Comedy of Errors

by Larry Janezich

Mid-day on Friday, a photo circulated (by the editor of CHC and others) on Capitol Hill listservs showed a sign of an official sign posted at Lincoln Park alerting residents that:  “Lincoln Park is Closed.  As a public precaution, Lincoln Park is temporarily closed for the safety of staff and visitors.  Updates will be posted to the Park website….

That set off a comedy of errors which took much of the day to get resolved, and then, without apology from the Park Service, or acknowledgement that it had been their fault.

A visit to the Park Service website told a different story than the one on the sign:  “Playgrounds are Temporarily Closed as of March 26th, 2020.  Following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health officials in consultation with NPS Public Health Service officers, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, Marion Park, and Maryland Ave Playgrounds are temporarily closed.”

However, actions by police seemed to be more in keeping with a park closure.  According to one poster on the Lincoln Park listserv, “Those signs were placed in the general area, by the Lincoln statue, not the playground, after the police made people disperse prior to dusk, about 5:30 p.m.”

At 2:53pm, First District Commander Morgan Kane, who had been asked to help clarify the status of the park, notified the Lincoln Park listserv that “The parks are closed.  I just verified with US Park Police that the parks are closed and no one should be inside using them.  Officers from U.S. Park  Police and MPD will monitor and advise folks to leave the park and practice all the recommendations from the CDC and your local district government leaders in accordance with the Mayor’s Order 2020-053 and National Park Service Record of Determination.  We all are asked to play our important role in flattening the curve of COVID-19 infections.”

At 4:14pm, Kane came back to the Lincoln Park listserv with an update:  “US Park Police just called to notify me that they accidentally closed the entire park versus just closing the playground.  US Park Police will still come through the parks to ensure compliance with their NPS Record of Determination as well social distancing asks.  Please continue to work with us to flatten the curve!!!  MPD will continue to remind you as well.”

ANC6B Commissioner Steve Holtzman reached out to the National Park Service for an explanation.  Robert R. Arzola, Acting Program Management Specialist, Office of the Superintendent replied:

“I am writing regarding questions related to National Park Service signage at Lincoln Park. On Saturday, March 21 the Lincoln Park playground was closed as a public health precaution. Following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health in consultation with NPS Public Health Service officers, the playgrounds at Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, Marion Park, and Maryland Ave are temporarily closed. Lincoln Park and the other parks are open.”

By late afternoon on Friday, Lincoln Park was filled with residents enjoying the spring weather.

Trader Joe’s Expands Store Access for Seniors over 60

By Larry Janezich

Our local Trader Joe’s at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, has instituted a new procedure as of this morning, March 23, that provides for additional access for senior shopping between 9:00am and 10:00am.  The new practice applies nationwide.

Crew members have been directed by corporate headquarters to establish a line for senior shoppers, separate from a line for other shoppers.  Seniors will be admitted preferentially – three from their line to one from the other – during the first hour.  Store hours will remain 9:00am – 7:00pm.

(In Lieu of) The Week Ahead…Some Photo Images from the Week Past

There’s nothing scheduled for the week ahead.

by Larry Janezich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitol Hill Food Outlets – Shopping and Take-Away – Updated Periodically

by Larry Janezich

Here’s a list of some nearby grocery venues and their operating hours and shopping restrictions – list will be updated as info becomes available. New additions are marked with an asterisk*. 

Eastern Market – Open Tuesday to Friday – 7:00am -7:00pm; Saturday – 7am – 6pm; Sunday – 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Trader Joe’s – Open 9:00am – 7:00pm until further notice.  Customers asked to limit purchases to 2 of any one item and one full shopping cart.  No special hours for at risk customers.  700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.

Harris Teeter – Open 7:00am – 8:00pm.  No special hours for high risk patrons.  Product Limits: three (3) items each for the following categories: Water, Toilet Tissue, Canned Meat, Pasta, Cleaning Supplies, Airborne, Cold, Flu & Allergy.  1350 Potomac Avenue, SE.

Whole Foods – Open 8:00am – 9:00pm.  Customers who are 60 and older can shop one hour (7:00am – 8:00am) before opening to the public.  Closure of hot tables and prepared food service.   101 H Street, SE and 600 H Street, NE.

Giant – Open 6:00am – 10:00pm.  The first hour of operation between 6:00am and 7:00pm is reserved for customers 60 and older.  300 H Street, NE.

Yes! Organic Market – Open 7:00am – 10:00pm.  410 8th Street, SE.

*Roland’s – Open 8:00am – 9:00/10:00pm for deli carryout and groceries.

And a list of some Capitol Hill restaurants and coffee shops offering take-away and delivery – list will be updated as info becomes available.  Hours may vary. 

(Emergency legislation passed by the City Council allows for pick up or delivery of beer and wine to be consumed in the home from a restaurant if ordered with food.)

Aatish on the Hill – Open 5:00pm – 10:00pm for carryout.  202-733-5026.

*Barrel – Open 2:00pm – 7:00pm for carryout.  events@barreldc.com

Beuchert’s – Open 5:30pm – 10:00pm for pickup and delivery.  202-733-1384.

*Bibija – Open 11:00am – 5:00pm for carryout.  202-544-3049

*Bombay Street Food – Open 11:30am – 10:00pm for carryout and delivery. 202-558-9506

*Burrito Brothers – Open 7:00am – 9:00pm for carryout and delivery. 202-543-6835.

*Café Berlin – Open 12:00noon – 8:00pm for carryout.  202-543-7656

*CAVA – Open 12:00noon – 9:00pm for carryout and curbside delivery.  202-543-9090.

Chi-Ko – Open 5:00pm – 9:00pm for takeout and delivery.  202-558-9934.

Chipotle – Open 10:45am – 10:00pm for takeout and delivery.  202-464-3390.

District Taco – Open 8:00am – 10:00pm for carryout. District Taco is also available for free delivery independently outside of the food apps. 202-735-5649.

*District Doughnuts – Open 7:00am – 4:00pm for carryout. 202-817-3196

*District Soul Food – Open 4:00pm – 7:00pm for carryout.  202-544-8882

Dunkin’ Donuts – Open 5:00am to 9:00pm for carryout. 202-543-3923

Emilie’s – Open 10:30am to 8:00pm for takeout. 202-544-4368.

*Good Stuff Eatery – Open 11:00am – 10:00pm for carryout and delivery.  202-791-0168.

*Hunan Dynasty – 11:00am – 9:30pm.  Order on line.  http://bit.ly/2wb9kvf

*Hype Café – Open 8:00am – 6:00pm for carryout.  202-629-3046.

*La Lomita – Open 4:00pm – 10:30pm for carryout.  202-546-3109.

*La Lomita Dos – Open 11:30am – 10:pm for carryout.  202-544-0616.

*Las Placitas – Open 11:00am – 10:00pm for carryout.  202-543-3700

La Plaza – Open 11:30am – 1030pm for takeout. 202 546 9512/202-845-7038.

*Lavagna – Open 5:00pm – 10:00pm for carryout and delivery – https://www.lavagnadc.com/ 

*Little Pearl – Open 10:00am – 8:30pm for take out “food and booze”. 202-618-1868.

*Mangialardo’s  – Open 8:00am – 3:00pm for take out.  202-543-6212,

*Mr. Henry’s – Open 4:00pm – 8:00pm for carryout.  202-546-8412.

*Nooshi – Open 5:00pm – 8:00/9:00pm for carry out (30% off). 202-827-8832.

Peregrine – Open 8:00am – 4:00pm for takeout.  202-629-4381.

*Pete’s Diner – Open 6:00am – 3:00pm for carryout.  202-544-7335.

*Pizza Iole and Kabob & More – Open mid-day, hours flexible for carry out.  202-544-0910

Prego Deli – Open 10:00am – 5:00pm for takeout and deliveries. 202-547-8686.

Radicci – Open 7:30am – 8:00pm for takeout.  202-758-0086.

*Rose’s Luxury – Open 5:00am – 8:00pm (may vary) for takeout.  202 580 8889 (text is best).

San Pham – Open 11:00am – 10:00pm for takeout.  202-544-9368.

*Santa Rosa – Open 11:00am – 9:00pm for carryout and curbside pickup.  202-450-4800.

Starbucks 8th Street – Open 6:00am – 8:00pm for grab and go.  202-544-7913.

*Starbucks 3rd Street – Open 6:00am – 6:00pm for grab and go. · 202-544-9783.

*Sushi Hachi – Open 11:30am – 9:30am for curbside pickup and delivery.  202-640-1881.

*Sweetgreen – Open 10:30am – 9:00pm for curbside pickup.  On-line http://bit.ly/2J0h7Pd

*Szechuan House – Open 10:30am – 10:00pm for take out and delivery.  202-546-5303

*Taco City – Open 11:00am – 8:00pm. 202-629-4012.

*The Pursuit Wine Bar & Kitchen – Open 4:00pm – 9:00pm for carryout.  202 609-7420

The Queen Vic – Open 5:30pm – 8:30pm (hours may vary) for carryout.  202- 396-2001.

*Trattoria Alberto – Open 5:00pm – 9:30pm for carryout.  202-544-2007.

*Ted’s Bulletin – Open 7:30am – 8:00pm for carryout and delivery. 202-544-8337.

Tortilla Café – Open 9:00am – 8:00pm for takeout and delivery.  202-547-5700.

*Torai Sushi – Open 11:00am – 9:00pm for carryout.  202-525-2053.

*Tune Inn – Open 8:00am – 10:00pm for carryout food and booze.  202-543-2725.

Tunicliff’s – Open 11:00am – 10:45pm for takeout.  202-544-5680.

*Ugly Mug/Valor – Open 11:00am – 11:00pm for carry out. 202-547-8459/202-547-8459.

*We the People – Open 11:00am – 10:00pm for carryout and delivery.  202-544-4008.

7th Street Hill Café – Open 7:00am – 2:00pm for grab-and-go.  202-544-7770.

& Pizza – 11:00am – 11:00pm for takeout.  202-558-7549.

Hill Restaurant Group Closes Restaurants – Issues Apology – Hopes to Reopen

By Larry Janezich

The following statement was posted this afternoon on the Hill Restaurant Group Homepage:

“To all our valued and loyal customers,

Due to the restrictions set forth by the Mayor’s Office, it has made it impossible for us to continue to stay open for business so we will be closing all of our restaurants to reevaluate our situation. We apologize for the post on district industry- it was not meant to be selfish. We just felt is was unfair for the Mayors office to mandate such hash (sic) restrictions without any notice or consultation with business owners. We reached out to the Mayor’s office to voice our concern on the implications that it would have on the restaurant industry in hopes that she would rethink and maybe come up with more tenable rules and regulations to protect the public and be able to continue to do business and have received no response. We, as a group, have gone to extreme measures to try to make our establishments as safe as possible. Hill Restaurant Group employs 150 people and we were already struggling to keep everyone employed and now with the new restrictions, this has become impossible. We do take the current situation very seriously and will try and reopen in the near future. We do hope this comes to an end as soon as possible and wish for the health and safety of everyone.”

Earlier, Tom Johnson, the managing partner of Hill Restaurant Group, told the Washington Post in regard to the restrictions placed on the industry, “I have to start letting people go. I don’t have the wherewithal to pay them,” Johnson said. “It’s literally going to put me out of business. I’m going to go bankrupt.”

The group comprises seven restaurants on or near Capitol Hill: Hawk ‘n’ Dove, Finn McCool’s, Lola’s, Orchid, Tortuga, Willie’s and Ophelia’s Fish House.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-dc-maryland-virginia/2020/03/16/2362519a-6777-11ea-abef-020f086a3fab_story.html