DC Government

“Frontline Emergency Responders and Health Care Workers Will Be First to Receive the Vaccine in Washington, DC”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by District Shots

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser recognized The First Five — the first five members of DC’s Bravest who will take the coronavirus vaccine this week. As frontline health care providers, the District of Columbia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan designates members of the DC Fire and EMS Department (FEMS) among the first to receive the vaccine in Washington, DC. Within days, DC’s Bravest will be among the first to receive the long-awaited vaccine.

“Today, we have hope. After a long and tragic nine months, help is finally on the way. The First Five are sending a strong message about the importance of this vaccine to protect them, their families and loved ones, their patients and coworkers, and our entire city,” said Mayor Bowser. “Our frontline health care workers and emergency responders have led our community through this pandemic with courage and compassion, and now we are proud to deliver this vaccine to them. Finally, we can work together to end this pandemic. While we must stay vigilant during this nationwide surge in cases, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.”

DC Health has arranged for Kaiser Permanente to administer the vaccine to FEMS members beginning this week. Kaiser is expected to receive their initial doses of the vaccine on Wednesday, December 16, and FEMS members will receive the vaccine at the Kaiser site.

Acting Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly and Dr. Robert Holman, the Department’s Medical Director, will join Lieutenants Joseph Papariello and Keishea Jackson and Firefighter/EMT Julio Quinteros in being the first members to receive the vaccine. (more…)

“I wonder if folks who feel the way I do would consider contacting the mayor and other administrators to object to this newest outrage.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I read this morning that the Bowser administration is planning to cut funding services to those experiencing homelessness, particularly youth. During a pandemic! During winter! When it has already done far too little for these folks! AND proposed a budget increase for the police and dipped into its emergency funds to give money to businesses! I thought our mayor couldn’t get worse — wrong! (more…)

“Ridiculous permitting process”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering if you’ve heard of any incredibly ridiculous time lags in getting permits in DC for simple home projects. We submitted our permit application for our porch in May and still haven’t received approval/the paper permit. We didn’t use an expediter and I realize we are in a pandemic but 7+ months seems a bit absurd!”

“Effective Immediately, spontaneous play and organized athletic activities involving high contact sports are prohibited”*

By Prince Of Petworth

From DC Department of Parks and Recreation:

“In accordance with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s situational update provided on Monday, December 7, 2020, and in support of the District’s efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), DPR will be enforcing a series of adjustments and limitations on sports and recreation activities: (more…)

BREAKING Parking News: “residents should continue to use the existing 2020 Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) into 2021”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that residents should continue to use the existing 2020 Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) into 2021. The District plans to launch a streamlined digital parking permit program in 2021.

The VPP program allows District residents to register for an annual pass that is used for guests to park for more than 2 hours on Residential Permit Parking or RPP-zoned blocks.

Residents who are new to the District or need a replacement VPP (due to damage or loss) should visit their local Metropolitan Police Department precinct to request a temporary parking pass instead of a VPP.

Beginning in March 2020, and continuing for the duration of the public health emergency, the District has suspended enforcement for the following infractions: (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Announces $1,200 Local Stimulus Payment to Support Nearly 20,000 Washingtonians” Mayor also launches application period for the District’s $35 Million Restaurant Bridge Fund

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced a one-time stimulus payment to extend support to those District residents hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-time direct payment of $1,200 will be sent to approximately 20,000 DC residents who filed and were deemed eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) on or before November 30, 2020. PUA covers individuals who are not eligible for traditional UI benefits. DOES will begin issuing the payments in the coming weeks. (more…)

“Mayor Bowser Announces Expansion of COVID-19 Testing Infrastructure for DC Public Schools Students and Staff”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Diane Krauthamer

Ed. Note: Also a request for Rapid COVID-19 tests? “Wondering if anyone knows of any places in DC to get a rapid COVID test? I know Preston’s Pharmacy in Arlington offers the test, but curious to know what some other options might be.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Bowser outlined new asymptomatic coronavirus (COVID-19) testing protocols for students and staff participating in DC Public Schools (DCPS) in-person programming. This pilot for schools with CARE or In-Person Learning Classrooms will include in-school testing for students and mailed testing kits for staff. The pilot will begin next week, and tests are at no cost to students or staff.

“We are proud of the very robust testing system we have built in DC, and now we can use that infrastructure to support this program,” said Mayor Bowser. “There is a sense of urgency to get more students back in school with their teachers, peers, and school community, and we are hopeful that these new protocols move us one step closer to reopening.”

DC Health will manage on-site testing of students who attend CARE Classrooms at their schools. Students may receive a PCR nasal-swab test, administered by DC Health medical staff, approximately every 10 days. (more…)

“Trash Hauling Company Must Pay $78K For Operating in DC Neighborhoods Before 7AM”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Hannah F

From the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia:

“Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced a settlement requiring Bates Trucking Co. Inc., a solid waste disposal company, to pay $78,702 to the District for illegally collecting in residential neighborhoods, including Dupont Circle and Logan Circle, late at night and early in the morning. (more…)

“Have you heard any news on the 2021 VPP program?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Have you heard any news on the 2021 VPP program (Visitor Parking Pass)? I think they usually start registration by now.”

Ed. Note: Been starting to get a few queries about this, I’ve emailed DDOT and will update when I hear back but I assume that because we are still in Phase Two, with most parking restrictions suspended, things have been pushed back. When registration does go live, I’ll be sure to do a new post.

Update From DDOT: “Changes are coming to the Visitor Parking Pass program for 2021! In the meantime, please keep your 2020 pass if you have one.”

Oh, the anticipation.

View More Stories