The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D met on March 23 to discuss the recent updates to the vaccine distribution plan affecting the Mount Pleasant Area.
As the zoom call opened, the five 1D commissioners came into view and immediately began the typical proceedings of the monthly meeting. With a light agenda and government representatives waiting to share their updates, the commissioners decided to jump right into the community reports.
Moises Delrosario, a liaison for the mayor’s office of community relations and services, brought news of the upcoming changes in vaccine distribution. He reminded all attendees that the public health emergency has been extended until May 20, 2021. And starting May 1, 2021, the District of Columbia will be entering into phase 2 of the district’s reopening plan. “In phase two, all district residents who are 16 years and older, and not included in previous phases, will become eligible for vaccination,” Delrosario said.
The commissioners sat in attentive silence as the liaison elaborated the new pre-registration system even further. It was emphasized that all this new information could be found at coronavirus.dc.gov. Regardless of the progress being made in vaccinating the community, Delrosario advised those who have already been vaccinated to “continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene.”
The previous phase of the reopening plan has been a contention point for many as vaccinations have been disproportionately distributed in the D.C. area thus far. This was proven by partial data showing that over 88,000 white D.C. residents have been vaccinated compared to the approximately 66,000 Black residents who have received a vaccine. This data provided by the district also displays the percentages of vaccinations administered by ward. According to their graphics, the wards with the lowest percentages of vaccinations consist of the highest Black populations. With the total number of cases climbing towards 50,000, the increased eligibility will only make the registration process more competitive.
The next representative was Silvia Garrick from the Office of the People’s Counsel. This independent agency advocates for consumers of utilities in the D.C. area. She wanted to make the attendees aware that, even with issues of non-payment, “utilities cannot disconnect services”. However, she did urge residents with financial issues to contact the agency so that they may help set up payment arrangements. Due to the coronavirus public health emergency, many D.C. residents have been experiencing higher utility bills. This, along with the significant loss of employment in the past year, leaves many unable to afford these rising costs. Because of the passing of an emergency district law, as well as the numerous resources being offered, residents are now receiving help with the financial burdens of the pandemic.
