Dear PoPville

“staff members were even mocked when we asked about what our policies on the virus were in early March”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Pablo Raw

“Dear PoPville,

I work for a nonprofit organization (not ready to name names quite yet). We were very slow to address the Coronavirus situation, and staff members were even mocked when we asked about what our policies on the virus were in early March. We did not switch to a WFH policy until March 17, and that was only because WMATA limited Metro use to essential employees.

Our office still remains open. Our COO is there every day, and she is asking that we all take turns coming into the office at least once a week. (more…)

“Would making face masks actually be useful?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Find official Health Guidance from coronavirus.dc.gov here.

“Dear PoPville,

I do a lot of sewing, and am seeing a lot of social media posts from others who are planning to/trying to make face masks to donate to medical personnel/hospitals- like this.

I understand these definitely aren’t N95 masks, but I’ve also seen pictures of a lot of medical personnel wearing regular surgical masks that are meant to protect from larger droplets/fluids- I’m wondering if the medical folks in the PoPville community could weigh in: would it actually be helpful for people to donate homemade masks like the ones above, or would this be an ultimately useless gesture? If it would be useful: where could I send them? These are incredibly simple and even inexperienced sewists could make a ton of them…

Thanks! I hope everyone is staying safe and sane out there…”

For those who do have proper PPE (N95 masks etc.) please visit this site.

Another reader writes:

“As the coronavirus pandemic spreads and worldwide mask outage continues, I did some research and experimented with making my own. So I am sharing my DIY disposable mask experiment. If others in PPpville community have been playing around with DIY mask ideas as well, please share too – let the creativity flow! (more…)

What The “ADT sending door knockers in Ft Totten”?!?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Epple

“Dear PoPville,

I live in Fort Totten and just got a knock on my door (Tuesday 4:15pm) from two people who said they worked for ADT and wanted to sell me a home security system. Many of my neighbors are elderly and in the “at risk” population by age, and don’t need strangers knocking on the door during a global pandemic. Nor do any of us for that matter! (more…)

“Continuing Nanny Share?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Katie Yaeger Rotramel

Ed. Note: Find official Health Guidance from coronavirus.dc.gov here.

“Dear PoPville,

We have a 3 month old we are nanny sharing with another 3 month old. We normally host the nanny and other baby. The past 2 weeks our nanny didn’t want to work in our house while we both are now teleworking full time so both families have dropped our kids off at the nanny’s condo.

My family, the other family, and the nanny have all promised to social distance.

Next week the nanny might be convinced to watch the 2 babies from our home.

Are we?

A.) (more…)

“I need a recommendation for a DC-barred attorney specializing in boundary disputes involving property lines.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user slatifolia

“Dear PoPville,

I need a recommendation for a DC-barred attorney specializing in boundary disputes involving property lines.

In a nutshell, we recently bought a house in DC and had a survey done, as we are planning some improvements. We found out that the fence on our property next to our neighbor”s house doesn’t extend to the full edge of our property line, and our lot actually extends about 500 – 800 sq feet farther than the fence (this is shown on the survey we did and on both recorded plats). (more…)

“I am sure this scene is playing out in shuttered parks across the city.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

I live near Sherwood Recreation Center park in Ward Six by the H Street Corridor, which was shuttered a few days ago by the city. A small group of parents and children have started congregating in a parking lot adjacent to the park. While most adults (not all!) are keeping a distance of six feet from each other, children from different households continue to play together. So, germs continue jumping from household to household, defeating the purpose of closing the park to enforce social distancing measures. I am sure this scene is playing out in shuttered parks across the city. (more…)

“Social Distancing Issue”

By Prince Of Petworth


Virtual Cocktails photo by PoPville Flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

I had 2 different couples invite me into their homes over the weekend. The first wanted our dogs to get out some energy while we worked inside and the second wanted to feed me brunch on Sunday. While it was nice to have friends thinking of me and wanting to spend time with me (I’m single so distancing can get lonely), this is exactly what we SHOULDN’T do while social distancing! (more…)

“How should we get to a medical facility if we suspect we have COVID-19?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Doug from 14th and Belmont St, NW last night (Monday)

“Dear PoPville,

My friends and I are wondering how we should get to a medical facility if we suspect we have COVID-19? As most young professionals in the city we rely on public transit and rideshares to get places regularly, which we would not use if we suspect we are sick.

Has the city issued any recommendations? What do other readers recommend? Do we call an ambulance or just stay home?”

Another reader asks: “If a person has bad symptoms, needs to tested (or SAVED), how do they get there? Uber? WMATA? Walk w/ 104° fever?”

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