COVID-19 Information

(Bates – Bloomingdale – Brookland – Eckington)

Giving or Requesting Help

Would you like to volunteer to help your neighbors?
Are you someone in need of assistance?

 Please complete the Ward 5 Community & Mutual Aid form HERE.
 If you're a member of NextDoor, there is a "Help Map" where members can self-identify as available
to offer assistance (or those who need assistance)
 People in need of help can also call the Ward 5 mutual aid hotline: (202) 643-7030.

*Please note above options are neither managed nor vetted by the Bloomingdale Civic Association

Health & Safety Information

Here’s the latest safety information from D.C. and federal officials.

DC-specific coronavirus information 

 Main page: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/
 Frequently asked questions: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/node/1464356
 Specific resources for faith organizations, businesses, kids, parents, and those who speak languages
other than English: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-tool-kit
 
Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
 
Social Distancing
 Individuals are encouraged to minimize contact with others, isolate at home if exhibiting any cold or
flu-like symptoms, and maintain safe distance from others. 
 See Mayor Bowser’s March 16 order:
https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/publication/attachments/MO-Prohibition-
on-Mass-Gatherings-During-Public-Health-Emergency.pdf
 Gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited
 Gatherings of 10 or more people that are targeted at seniors or those with acute medical conditions
are prohibited
 Restaurants and taverns can operate delivery and take out only  
 
Health Insurance 
 If you need health insurance, you may be able to enroll: DC Covid-19 Insurance Options
 Insurers of plans purchased through DC Health Link, including those provided by Aetna, CareFirst,
Kaiser Permanente, and United Health Care have waived deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments
for diagnosis and testing for COVID-19. All DC Health Link health plans provide access to
telemedicine. In addition, CareFirst is waiving deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment for
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(Bates – Bloomingdale – Brookland – Eckington)

diagnosis, testing, and treatment of COVID-19. More information here:

https://dchealthlink.com/coronavirus#chart.

Resources for Families

Tips and other information for those with kids
 
Student Meals
Meals for all students are available at 
 (Eckington’s) McKinley Technology High School (151 T Street NE) on weekdays from Monday, March
16 to Tuesday, March 31 from 10 am-2 pm.
 (Truxton Circle’s) Friendship Armstrong PCS (1400 First Street NW) from 8:30 am to 11:30 AM
 The full list of public schools providing meals is available here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/mealsites 
 The full list of charter schools providing meals is available here: https://dcpcsb.org/citywide-meal-
distribution-all-students. 
 
Public Library
https://www.dclibrary.org/godigital 
 
Distance Learning
Smithsonian distance learning resources: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/the-smithsonian-has-
distance-learning-resources-for-kids/2245306/ 

Resources for Seniors & High-Risk Groups

Tips and other info for senior citizens (or other high-risk groups)
 
DC/CDC recommendations for high risk groups
 Stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
 Avoid crowds as much as possible.
 Stock up on supplies, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
 Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
 When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact, and wash your
hands many times a day.
 Avoid non-essential travel. 
 Flyer:
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/publication/attachments/COVID19_
High_Risk_Senior_Guidance-3-12-2020.pdf
 
Assistance
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(Bates – Bloomingdale – Brookland – Eckington)
 If you're a senior and you need help with food and other services please call Department of Aging
and Community Living (DACL) (202) 724-5626 or email ask.adrc@dc.gov

 Department of Aging and Community Living Operating Status during COVID-19 Emergency:
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/octo/publication/attachments/DACL%20COVID-
19%20Public%20Announcement%20of%20Service%20Changes_Final_3-16-20.pdf

Early shopping hours for seniors and other high-risk groups

 Safeway: Albertsons, which owns Safeway and other chains nationwide, said Tuesday it would
reserve its shops for such customers for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7 AM.
 Whole Foods: Whole Foods on Wednesday began offering such a service to customers 60 and older
an hour before opening to the public. You can find your store’s hours on its individual web page. A
PoPville reader said the H Street location was carding people.
 Giant: The 6 AM-7 AM hour will be reserved for seniors and other vulnerable folks starting Friday.
 Walmart: To better support customers age 60 and up, our stores will host a special shopping hour
from 6 am to 7 am every Tuesday, Mar. 24 through Apr. 28. pharmacies will be available during this
time, as well. Vision centers will also be open to help with emergency and essential needs only.
 Harris Teeter: Harris Teeter is designating Monday and Thursday mornings from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. as
senior shopping hours for shoppers aged 60 and over.
 Trader Joe’s: Every day between 9AM and 10AM, Crew Members will maintain an additional line
outside the front door for our senior customers. This will ensure that those customers in need will
have an expedited entrance to the store to help make their experience a more positive one.
 
Capital Area Food Bank will be having pop-up food banks around the city to help people who maybe need
assistance with food.  For a full list of places, time and locations please go to their website:
capitalareafoodbank.org.

Other D.C. Government Operations

 What government operations are continuing? 
The latest information about D.C. government operations can be found here:
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/whats-open. Among the services still being provided are:
 Trash pickup
 Permitting (some of which can be done online)
 Low-barrier shelters, family shelters, shelters serving youth, adult day care centers
 
Parking
 No street sweeping or street sweeping enforcement. 
 Rush hour no parking also not being enforced
 Outdated registration not being enforced
 Other parking violations will be enforced. 
 More details: https://ddot.dc.gov/release/ddot-and-dpw-announce-parking-and-service-adjustments 
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(Bates – Bloomingdale – Brookland – Eckington)
 
Public Transportation
 Metro and Metrobus system hours and service levels are further reduced to support essential travel
only. More information here: https://www.wmata.com/about/news/METRO-SERVICE-FURTHER-
REDUCED-TO-SUPPORT-ESSENTIAL-TRIPS-ONLY.cfm#main-content 

 The Circulator has suspended fares and is not operating its Mall Route. More information here:
https://www.dccirculator.com/ddot-suspends-dc-circulator-fares/
 Capital Bikeshare is continuing regular operations.
 

Unemployment benefits
DC has expanded its unemployment benefits to cover certain individuals impacted by COVID-19. Individuals
are encouraged to apply here: https://www.dcnetworks.org/vosnet/Default.aspx. For best results, use a
desktop or laptop computer (as opposed to a phone or tablet).

SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Alliance or other public benefits

 Apply at dhs.dc.gov. Applicants can drop off completed applications for benefits at DHS Service
Centers and may be contacted by phone as necessary to complete the eligibility process.
 Residents with questions about their benefits should contact the Call Center at (202) 727-5355 from
7:30-4:45 pm
 
Small business assistance
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has accepted the District of Columbia’s declaration for
assistance in the form of economic injury disaster loans following the advent of the novel coronavirus
(COVID-19), and DC businesses can start applying now and are encouraged to do so ASAP because the SBA
will be approving applications from other states. Apply here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery

DC Board of Elections (DCBOE)

As of Friday March 27, DCBOE announced new measures to increase voter access and safety during the 2020
June Primary Election and Ward 2 Special Election, amid the recent COVID-19 outbreak nationwide. You can
read more via DCBOE press release HERE.
 Voters can request mail-in ballots online at https://www.vote4dc.com/ApplyInstructions/Absentee
 Via the mobile app (vote4dc), or
 Call the DCBOE at (202) 727-2525 or (202) 741-5283, faxing (202) 347-2648, mailing or dropping off in
person a ballot request form (https://dcboe.org/Data-Resources-Forms/Forms-and-
Resources/AbsenteeBallotRequestForm.aspx) to the DC Board of Elections, 1015 Half Street SE, Suite
750, Washington, DC 20003.

Personal Finance
Information on mortgage assistance
 
If you think you may need mortgage assistance due to financial hardship, please contact your mortgage
lender directly. 
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(Bates – Bloomingdale – Brookland – Eckington)
USA Today: Contact your mortgage lender
Newsweek: U.S. Mortgage Lenders urge customers to contact lenders about forbearance

Local Businesses
Here’s how you can continue to support local businesses
North Capitol Main Street 
North Capitol Main Street is raising funds to help our food and hospitality businesses support their
hourly/tipped-wage employees. These employees have no other recourse for other employment or
unemployment benefits at this time and therefore need our financial help. Please Donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/north-capitol-main-street-covid19-help 

Bloomingdale Area Businesses

A list of Bloomingdale (and neighboring) businesses with website links can be found on our BCA website:
https://www.bloomingdalecivicassociation.org/business/

Brookland Area Businesses

The Brookland Bridge

Ward 5 area businesses (NE) - MAP

Eckington Area Businesses

Yang Market
Modified Hours: https://www.facebook.com/pg/yangmarketNE/posts/

Qualia Coffee