Dear PoPville

“has anyone found a sweet spot in terms of when to start looking for DC rental units?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

I currently live in DC, but my lease will expire on August 31st. With all of the free time recently, I’d like to start looking at studio rental properties (just online, not touring in person), but I think I’m still too far away to have anyone thinking about August rentals. My question is – has anyone found a sweet spot in terms of when to start looking for DC rental units – one month before move-in? Two months? Or less, like one or two weeks before?”

COVID-19 DC Fray Update “I guess dc fray isn’t refunding people either?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: TLDR: DC Fray “will credit your account with the full amount of your season registration with player credits.”

Thanks to all who forwarded the following email from DC Fray:

“Dear Fray family,

As we learn to navigate the new normal together, we wanted to thank you for your support and gratitude. We are humbled by the many positive emails, messages and outreach we have received from our community. We know that along with our staff and their families, each of you is navigating a new reality too. We want to send our very best to each and every one of you adjusting to the changes over the last three weeks. (more…)

“Donating laptops to students?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

We are using the current apocalypse as an excuse to clean out our apartment and we have two used but working laptops that we thought might be helpful to students in need given the move to online learning. Do you know of anyone arranging for these kinds of donations?”

“Flexible CSAs in the time of corona?”, “Produce wholesalers that might have shifted to home delivery?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Despite a huge desire to, I have never been able to sign up for a CSA because I travel extensively for work and the travel is often unpredictable. I know some restaurants have started selling CSA boxes but I was wondering if you or your readers know of any CSAs that are more flexible about membership right now and that have pick up in or delivery to Columbia Heights or nearby?”

Another readers ask:

“Have any produce wholesalers shifted to making home deliveries of fruit and vegetables? The places that normally supply restaurants must have a huge stock right now that they need to get rid of it, and I, for one, would like to get in on that action.”

Ed. Note: In addition to the Goodbar grocery boxhere. Others?

“Does DC have any agreed-upon sign/symbol/piece of clothing to wear to indicate that you’ve already had Covid-19 and are recovered?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jeff Morrow

“Dear PoPville,

Does DC have any agreed-upon sign/symbol/piece of clothing to wear to indicate that you’ve already had Covid-19 and are recovered, and thus don’t need to wear a mask? My entire household has already had it and we’re finally out of home isolation. We’re getting dirty looks for not wearing masks, but per our doctors, we currently have immunity and also have practically zero risk of transmitting the virus to anyone else. So I’d rather not wear masks if we don’t have to. In Italy they are talking about having immune citizens wear a certain bracelet. Has anyone heard of the same in DC?”

“I was wondering if anyone knows anywhere in DC you can buy reusable masks?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

In light of the Mayor’s recent announcement that all shoppers at grocery stores in D.C. must wear masks, what is the best way to get a face mask? Ordering one online appears to take weeks. Are there any local shops I can buy one from? Are we at the point now where I just need to DYI one from some clothing at home?”

Ed. Note: We’ve spoke of some options here but if anyone has learned of others please let us know in the comments of this post, thanks.

Also if anyone buys or does some particularly creative ones at home please send me a photo to [email protected]

“Update on unemployment benefits for 1099 and gig workers”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Clif Burns

“Dear PoPville,

I know a lot of readers (myself included) have been anxiously waiting for DC to update their system to be able to process unemployment claims for 1099 and gig workers. I found this update posted yesterday on Elissa Silverman’s website. Pretty crazy it’s taking them a whole month to roll this out since the legislation passed!”

Ed. Note: Elissa Silverman’s office and website have been very helpful answering folks various questions about unemployment.

“It’s their way of coping.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki Jourdan

“Dear PoPville,

Looking for advice on pot smoke from my neighbor’s rowhouse getting into mine. My kids and I are obviously home and so are the neighbors. I mentioned to them that I really smell their pot, and while they were polite, they basically stated they planned to smoke at home everyday while they, too, are at home. It’s their way of coping. They asked it it’s better if they smoke outside, but that comes in our house too. (more…)

“Vendor Donations”

By Prince Of Petworth


via GoFundMe

“Dear PoPville,

This is a group of affected people that are overlooked – both by the government (due to their immigration status they are not eligible for the stipend) and by everyday people (such as myself). This was a group of folks I didn’t even think about, much less about how negatively impacted they are by the pandemic. I think this would be a great fundraiser to share if possible.” (more…)

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