In Thursday’s situational update, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), MPD Chief Robert Contee and Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt spoke about the DCPS reopening, getting vaccines to seniors and public safety updates.
DCPS Updates
Bowser said she was happy with the first week of in person learning in the DC Public Schools (DCPS). Bowser noted that in-person seats are still available for families who were previously contacted about a seat in an in-person classroom.
“I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has made it possible to get in person learning up and running,” Bowser said.
Bowser said that no classrooms have needed to enforce a quarantine for students or teachers due to positive tests in the first week. However, Reopen DCPS reported three schools had positive COVID-19 cases in the building while students were present in the first week.
Senior Vaccine Buddies
The Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs and the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations have collaborated to create Senior Vaccine Buddies. The program will collaborate with seniors to assist them in registration for the COVID vaccine.
Bowser said that the members of this team are going door to door in vulnerable areas to assist individuals with the sign-up procedure.
On Thursday, members of the team were outside in Ward 8 assisting residents with the vaccine.
.8 percent of the District population and 22 percent of those over 65 have been vaccinated as of Wednesday.
DC veterans over the age of 65 may be eligible to receive the COVID vaccine through the Veteran’s Administration (VA), Bowser added, but District programs will not turn seniors eligible for other programs away.
For more information on vaccination through the VA, residents can visit va.gov or call 202-745-8000.
Public Safety
During the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, it was reported that two pipe bombs were planted: one at the DNC and one at the RNC. Participants in the Private Security Camera Incentive Program have provided the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with footage of the devices being planted.
NEW: #FBIWFO releases additional info & images about pipe bombs placed in DC btwn the hours of 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5. The @FBI & @ATFWashington reward now totals $100K. If you have info call 1800CALLFBI or submit online at https://t.co/t8G7LNMG8U. https://t.co/946jU0EEih pic.twitter.com/PRThowCyf4
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) January 29, 2021
FBI is still looking for the suspect who placed the pipe bombs. A reward for information has now reached $100,000. Officials say it is likely he had some familiarity with the area, and could be from the region.
Any resident with additional footage or information is encouraged to report it to the FBI tip line (1-800-225-5324) or submit tips to tips.fbi.gov.
Sarah Payne is a History and Neuroscience student at The University of Michigan interning with HillRag. She writes for and serves as an assistant news editor for Michigan’s student newspaper, The Michigan Daily. You can reach her at sarahp@hillrag.com.
