November 25, 2020
Dear Washingtonians,
This Thanksgiving week, I keep coming back to an idea that we have talked a lot about this year: the importance of staying emotionally and spiritually connected while physically distant. For most of us, this Thanksgiving will be very different than what we are used to. Some people will be apart from family for the first time. Some will be learning how to cook a turkey for the first time, or perhaps trying a new meal altogether. New traditions will be made, and certainly some old ones missed. Even if you are separated from friends and family, please take time to reach out to the people you love and the people you are grateful for.
To that end, I want to express how thankful I am for the many Washingtonians who are making sacrifices this holiday season to protect yourselves, your family, and our entire community.
I also want to express my gratitude for the medical and public health professionals who have led us through this unprecedented year. Thank you to the essential workers and emergency response teams who have, since March, responded to this crisis with courage, professionalism, and compassion. From the teams of people who staff and run our public testing sites, to bus drivers and grocery store workers and the women and men who deliver our packages and mail, we have so many neighbors to be grateful for this year.
In Washington, DC, we have been in this together since the very beginning. Let's show our gratitude for each other and for our doctors and nurses – many of whom will be at work on Thanksgiving – by not letting our guards down.
Again, please reach out to people on Thanksgiving. Take time to connect with neighbors and loved ones. And remind yourself and others that we will get to the other side of this, and when we do, we will celebrate together again.
Thank you, and have a safe Thanksgiving,
 Adjustments to Phase Two go into effect today. Residents can read the full Mayor's Order HERE.
Some of the adjustments include:
- A maximum of 10 people at indoor gatherings, including gatherings at home (unless 10 or more people live in the home)
- A maximum of 25 people at outdoor gatherings
- Alcohol sales and consumption at restaurants must end at 10:00 p.m. (excludes carry-out and delivery)
- Non-essential, non-retail businesses are strongly encouraged to continue telework
- Gyms must suspend all indoor group classes and outdoor group classes with 25 or more people
These adjustments will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep members of our community, especially the most vulnerable members of our community, safe during this nationwide surge in cases.
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 Many local businesses are going above and beyond to keep Washingtonians safe and employed by modifying operations, pivoting their services, and offering delivery and curbside pickup. So, this holiday season, make an extra effort to shop local and support small and local businesses.
This week, the Bowser Administration and the Washington DC Economic Partnership launched shopinthedistrict.com, a website that makes it easier for people to find products and services at DC businesses. If you are a business and want to be considered as a featured retailer go HERE.
Residents are also encouraged to order local food and drinks through dctogogo.com — DC's first locally-based online ordering and delivery platform.
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 DC residents who travel should read and follow the District's travel advisory. The advisory calls for residents returning to DC from high-risk states or countries to either:
- limit their daily activities and self-monitor for 14 days
or
- limit their daily activities, get tested 3 to 5 days after their return, and then limit their activities and self-monitor until they receive a negative test result
Residents are reminded that testing has its limitations. A negative test today could be a positive test tomorrow. Testing should be used in addition to wearing a mask, limiting your exposure to other people, social distancing, and practicing good hygiene.
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 The DC Spirit of Service Awards are an opportunity to celebrate civically engaged residents, community-based organizations, and multi-sector partners who help us build a more equitable, resilient, and vibrant Washington, DC.
Now is your opportunity to nominate a person or organization who goes above and beyond to support our community. Nominations are due by Thursday, December 3.
Learn more at DCSpiritofServiceAwards.com
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