From 9:30 Club/I.M.P.:
“While we wake up every day looking forward to welcoming fans into our venues, D.C.’s Mayor Bowser has just recommended that gatherings of 1,000 or more people be suspended until March 31. After tonight, to be cautious, we are postponing all I.M.P. events scheduled at the 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre and The Anthem, as well as shows 9:30 Club Presents at U Street Music Hall, regardless of the size of the gathering. Shows will begin again April 1. (more…)
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?“
Photo by PoPville flickr user small craft
From Events DC:
“Last night, Events DC received additional information regarding the recent AIPAC conference that was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Specifically, we learned that two more individuals that attended the conference from Ohio and Toronto respectively, have tested positive for COVID-19. Coupled with the cases from New York (two individuals) and Los Angeles (one individual), this brings the total reported number of AIPAC conference attendees that have tested positive for COVID-19 to five.
Out of an abundance of caution to its staff, their families and customers, Events DC will suspend operations and services at the end of business on March 13th until March 31st. (more…)
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…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard
From the Mayor’s Office:
“DC Health recommends that non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions, be postponed or cancelled. Mass gatherings are defined as events where 1,000 or more people congregate in a specific location. We also recommend that any social, cultural, or entertainment events where large crowds are anticipated be reconsidered by the organizer. This recommendation is in effect through March 31.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC
Back to the polls we go! A reader is curious about how many people/companies have started teleworking instead of coming into the office. For those who feel comfortable please let us know which companies are allowing people to work from home/telework in the comments. If you don’t feel comfortable putting it in the comments yourself you can email me at [email protected] and I can add the name for you. I’m curious if your company is government or private? Federal, state or local if government? If private, about how many people work for your company?
For those who are teleworking – where are you teleworking? Home? Coffee shop? Elsewhere?
But for broader numbers – to the polls:
Per our earlier talk – from DCPS:
“Good morning DCPS Community,
DC Public Schools (DCPS) continues to prioritize student and staff safety as the region addresses the coronavirus (COVID-19). As part of DCPS’ emergency response planning, there will be a shift in school schedules for the week of March 16. This announcement affects both teachers and students.
The scheduled Professional Development Day for teachers on Friday, March 20 will now take place on Monday, March 16.
Schools will be closed for students on Monday, March 16, with classes resuming for the rest of the week. Students will no longer have the day off on Friday, March 20.
DC Health continues to report no widespread community transmission of COVID-19, and prevention remains our priority. However, this situation remains dynamic, and preparation is critical every day. With this in mind, DCPS is accelerating our planning timeline with teachers and school leaders to ensure that our educators are fully equipped to support distance learning as needed. (more…)
“Data – Last Update: March 10, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Number of patients under investigation for COVID-19: 39
Number of negative results: 20
Number of pending results: 15
Number of presumptive positive results: 4″
Now that some of the universities and private schools are announcing early/extended closures near their spring breaks – Do you thinks D.C. public and charter schools will/should continue to stay open?
815 V Street, NW
From the 9:30 Club/I.M.P.:
“Dear Music Lover,
Simply put, our venues exist to enhance people’s enjoyment of life. So, it’s natural that the wellbeing of our staff, patrons, artists and the community are always at the forefront of our thinking. Like other organizations, we’re taking additional precautions, such as adding supplementary cleaning staff and providing hand sanitizer stations in addition to the ever-present soap in the restrooms.
By now, everyone knows to cover their mouth when they cough and sneeze, wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds, avoid touching their faces – but, as always, if anyone isn’t feeling well, the responsible thing to do is to stay home. This goes for everyone.
As of now, all shows are going on as planned and attendance has not been affected. (more…)
From the Mayor’s Office:
“As of 9:45 pm on Monday, March 9, the District’s Coronavirus data includes three new confirmed cases:
39 year old male
Contact tracing underway, attended Christ Church
77 year old male
Contact tracing underway, attended Biogen
79 year old male
Contact tracing underway
These three presumptive positive cases were tested by the District’s Public Health Laboratory.
Comprehensive Coronavirus Data for the District of Columbia: (more…)