Dear PoPville

“What would you do?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

My family and I are moving cross country and are closing on a house April 3. Almost 2 months ago we committed to a move date of April 27. I am trying to figure out whether we want to move that date up and get the heck out of DC (although the place we are moving has many more COVID-19 cases) or push the date back…and how much would you push it back. Neither situation is ideal, obviously.

We have 2 young kids and as an FYI, we are working from home in our new location, so jobs are not in play here.

What would you do?”

“Help – tool stuck in dryer vent”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

A vent-cleaning company got part of their tool stuck in the dryer vent of my condo and can’t get it out. I’m having no luck finding any company that could get it out (long thin plastic rod about 5-10 feet inside from the outside wall, probably stuck in a clump of lint). Probably needs either a tool to extract it or a fan to blow it to either end of the duct. I tried all the duct companies I could find, plus animal-removal companies, and no one could do it. I’m getting desperate – any recommendations greatly appreciated!”

“Farmers Markets and Composting?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

In light of all the closings in DC, I haven’t been able to find much out about DC farmers markets, and especially the compost drop-off sites run by the DC government. I understand packed farmers markets aren’t the best idea during this time, but I hope the compost sites wouldn’t have to close too. Does anyone know the status of these services?”

From Freshfarm: “FRESHFARM is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak as it continues to develop. At this time, markets will remain open in accordance with their usual schedule. However, we urge you to stay home if you are sick. If you attend the market, please prioritize essential food purchasing and do not use the market as a place for social gathering for the time being.” (more…)

“there has been no instruction on what dental offices should do”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user slatifolia

“Dear PoPville,

I work in a dental office where we work only inches away from a person mouth putting us at highest risk. Yet there has been no instruction on what dental offices should do other than a statement from the american dental association saying it recommends we should only do elective procedures. This would still be up the dentist’s discretion and I am afraid they won’t follow through. We don’t have the proper PPE to treat patients and it seems as though we have been forgotten about. Just thought it might be worth bringing to the public’s attention. I would just like to add that most dental offices don’t provide sick leave and we can’t telework so we wouldn’t get paid which is also an added stress that impacts the decision to stay open. It’s a difficult situation all around.”

“Supporting those losing income due to closures?” supporting local businesses? supporting neighbors who need help?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

“Dear PoPville,

For those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to work from home with no impact on income, it seems like a good thing to do would be to donate what we usually spend on transportation/coffee/lunch to those who are losing income due to closures. Any suggestions for organizations that support people losing income?”

Similarly:

“I’m wondering what people in DC are doing to support local businesses that may be impacted by coronavirus. Other than ordering takeout or delivery, is there anything more we can do over the next few weeks?

Hoping you can post that. I’d love any ideas people have.”

and

“I’m planning to be cautious over the next few weeks but not a complete shut-in. It would be awesome if we could get a running list of which local businesses and chains are offering paid sick leave. I want to know that when I do go out, I’m patronizing the restaurants, bars, and shops that respect their employees (and their customers) enough to give paid sick leave.”

and (more…)

“I’d love to know how people feel about the possibility of quarantine”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

“Dear PoPville,

I’d love to know how people feel about the possibility of quarantine (like they have in Italy: restaurants & bars closed, football games with no spectators (creepy), public transportation closed or severely limited). Are people freaking out or ok with it? What would it be like for people with kids? Are they looking forward to it or is it like “oh shit”? Are introverts kind of ok with it because now they have an excuse to bail on all those things they don’t actually want to go to? How long until everyone hits “cabin fever” stage and starts thinking about all the ways they could murder their loved ones?

Also, I don’t work from home normally so we have a dog walker. If I am ordered to WFH, should I still pay to have my dog walked? I mean…it’s not my dog walker’s fault coronavirus hit DC and I’m not sure she has any other income. Ed. Note: We spoke about childcare/nanny payments here. Do people (white collar cube monkeys with the privilege of working from home) feel an obligation to support services they no longer need since they are home during the day? What does the PoPville community think?”

“That’s when he got upset and proceeded to unapologetically and shamelessly call me a chink multiple times.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: In these days when some Chinese related stores/restaurants are having difficulty attracting customers due to fears over coronavirus – let’s not let this spiral out of control. It is never OK to call someone a “chink” just as it’s never ok to call anyone a racist slur. We need to be kinder to each other now more than ever. This is just a reminder that this is happening. I’m closing comments because I can anticipate and there is nothing to talk about. This is not OK.

“Dear PoPville,

At 11:45am-ish (Wednesday), I was at the 7/11 at 14th and O near Thomas Circle and Logan Circle in DC. (more…)

“Neighbors Letting Their Dogs Roam Free – At Wit’s End”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Whenever my neighbor wants to walk their dogs, they just open up their fenced back yard and allow their dogs to roam freely down the alley behind our houses. The dogs frequently come into my yard and do their business. My home video cameras have captured this multiple times (13 to date). I have talked with them, written them two letters, and sent them a care package of a leash, two collars, and doggie bags, as seen in the attached photo. They keep refusing to leash their animals, and I keep ending up with messes in my backyard. (more…)

“What are people doing who have nannies or in nanny shares when it comes to childcare if you have been mandated to telework?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

What are people doing who have nannies or in nanny shares when it comes to childcare if you have been mandated to telework? We follow the OPM closure schedule for inclement weather but are anticipating eventual OPM closure and telework in the nearish future once the government gets their act together. We don’t want to be caught flat footed and we want to give her a clear policy. We are currently leaning towards, as tough as it would be work wise on our end, giving our nanny PTO to minimize her risk/our risk/community spread if/when OPM calls it as the OPM closure guideline is in our contract (though was envisioned for inclement weather, however I think should be applied here). Curious what others are doing if telework becomes mandated? And what other things to mitigate risk for your nanny, family, and the community you are doing in the lead-up?“

“I would be curious to know what “service changes” could/would be put in place…”

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader writes in about a WMATA announcement, “A message to our customers regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)” they received this morning:

“I would be curious to know what “service changes” could/would be put in place… just not run the Metro at all? Not run certain lines or portions of lines? Yikes!”

The announcement says:

“Dear Metro Customer:

We know that Coronavirus is a profound concern for many people in our region, and I want to take a moment to let you know what Metro is doing to combat community spread of the virus.

Metro’s Pandemic Task Force has been working closely since January with public health officials and jurisdictional partners, as well as with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), whose guidance we are following. Their current advice is to stay close to home if you are over 60, or are not feeling well; and to wash your hands often. Also, people who are sick are asked not to take public transportation at this time.

In addition to the measures Metro takes every day, we’ve stepped up deep cleaning and disinfecting railcars, stations, bathrooms, buses, and MetroAccess vehicles. Our staged pandemic response plan includes preparing for any service changes that may be required based on the CDC’s guidance and regional public health requirements for our employees and customers. (more…)

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