Good late morning, Capitol Hill! I hope your Memorial Day was filled with gratitude, remembrance, flags, and all the grilled foods– just because you don’t eat meat, doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy the complex flavors of a Maillard reaction well executed. It wouldn’t be an American holiday without a little assistance from the French, amirite?
On to what you need to know:
First off, although DCist did an incredible job of breaking down the recommendations plan to #reOpenDC, you might enjoy perusing the document in its entirety here. It seems we are posting great numbers in terms of flattening the curve and Stage 1 may kick off as early as May 29. But please, neighbors: Let’s be cautious.
One big reason we should be extra cautious? While the curve has been flattening, the DC area has the highest positive COVID-19 rate in the United States. That is one frightening statement. Andalou Agency
By the way, this week there is a pop-up testing center in Southwest. You can visit it this whole week and get tested, no matter whether you have symptoms or not. One of our readers, @jwh37, got tested and said there was little to no wait, and the swab only stung a little. Charles Allen via Twitter There will be a new testing site starting next Monday on F Street between 4th and 5th Streets NW, per the Mayor.
By the way, barbershops and salons will be open soon but there is no waxing, threading or nail care allowed when stage 1 starts. (Cue weeping)
Activists have been closing down streets, because the District won’t. Why? Why won’t you close streets down so more people can walk about? How is this going to pan out when restaurants have outdoor seating? THIS IS A LITTLE NUTS. WTOP
Look how happy people look when they have space to play:
Hey, btw: the Ward 6 Budget Town Hall has been postponed to Thursday, June 4. Put it on your calendar. It’ll be on Facebook Live, but I dearly wish it were not only on Facebook and you really need to do better in that regard, councilmember and office. Charles Allen
Vote centers opened yesterday. Your last chance to get a mail-in ballot was yesterday at midnight, but you can exercise your right to vote in person– just make sure you wear a mask. DCist
Okay. You need something fun and escapist. Good thing that The Lockwood has partnered up with Emilie’s for a really fun, unique event: Emilie’s is partnering up with The Lockwood for a contest where you can mix your own cocktail and create a backstory for it. You can sign up for a free kit here. Then, make sure you taste it and take a picture of it and tag it
#LockwoodOnTheHill. (Tag #thehillishome too!). If you win, you not only get to have your cocktail on the Emilie’s menu, but you get dinner for two! Have fun!