District Links

Happy Tuesday. The DC Council approved its latest coronavirus response legislation today, with a majority of its members insisting on a provision to extend payment-plan protections to residential tenants renting from small landlords.

Happy Monday. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a budget proposal this morning that relies heavily on the District's reserves to offset the massive revenue losses caused by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. By doing so, she…

TGIF. The District is inviting retailers selling art, office and music supplies as well as books and toys to apply for waivers to allow curbside or doorway pickup. It's part of a pilot program for independently owned and operated…

Happy Thursday. As DC extends its stay-at-home order through June 8, the city is not seeing a steady increase in COVID-19 testing volume, which is still far off from the 3,700 tests a day Health Department director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt…

Happy Wednesday. Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the District's stay-at-home order once again, this time through June 8.

Happy Tuesday. It’s hard to find good news in the District’s report of an additional 96 confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, but there is a hopeful sign: four days of lower increases in the number of infections.

Happy Monday. As part of DC's preparations for a projected surge in COVID-19 infections later this month, Mayor Muriel Bowser today unveiled the 437-bed "alternative care site" in Hall A of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

TGIF. DC yesterday matched its highest daily number of deaths linked to COVID-19, equaling the 19 deaths reported on April 30. The spread of the coronavirus is not flatlining yet, as the city this morning reported 245 new confirmed cases,…

Happy Wednesday. Earlier this week, DC officials highlighted 16th Street Heights and Columbia Heights as two neighborhoods seeing particularly high levels of COVID-19 infections. Today, the District for the first time released data by…

Happy Tuesday. Much of today's debate on the DC Council's latest coronavirus response legislation focused on a provision that didn't end up making the cut: a requirement for insurers to pay out on business interruption policies held by…

Happy Monday. Computer problems have led to a late, somewhat abbreviated version of today's District Links newsletter.

TGIF and happy May Day. DC reported its highest daily increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, with 335 positive test results. The daily rise in new cases has increased in each of the past five days.

Happy Thursday. The Bowser administration last night announced a deal to help build a new hospital for Howard University's medical school and said an agreement was finalized with George Washington University Hospital to replace United…

Happy Wednesday. The Bowser administration has found an extra $8.5 million or so for the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrant Program, enabling officials to provide at least some money to all of the eligible applicants.

Happy Tuesday. Grocery store workers in DC will now be able to obtain a COVID-19 test if they have had contact with someone who has tested positive. Their union praised the change as a step toward their goal of making free testing…

Happy Monday. Mayor Muriel Bowser has tapped two national figures — Susan Rice, former national security adviser, and Michael Chertoff, former secretary of homeland security — to lead the advisory group that will offer recommendations on…

TGIF. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council will need to cut $721.8M from the current budget with just five months left in the fiscal year to offset revenue losses from a partially shuttered economy, according to the District’s chief…

Happy Thursday. Mayor Muriel Bowser today outlined her administration’s approach to reopening the District once officials see a sustained reduction in the number of new COVID-19 infections and are certain hospitals can provide appropriate…

Happy Wednesday. Freelancers, gig workers, independent contractors and people who are self-employed in DC will soon get access to unemployment benefits via the DC Department of Employment Services.

Happy Tuesday. The DC Council tweaked its recent COVID-19 response bills in a quick session this morning, with changes that include a further extension for the mayor’s budget submission and the expansion of a rent-hike prohibition to cover…