January 2021 Fort Lincoln Newsletter

Neighbors,

Recent events at the U.S. Capitol are extremely troubling, and I am sure there will be additional details to share in the days to come. Right now, we cannot lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 is killing people every day. Recently, the District began making Covid vaccine appointments available to certain healthcare workers. At Mayor Bowser’s 11 am news conference on Monday (available on DC TV Channel 16 or mayor.dc.gov/live), she will share details about vaccines for seniors.

Beginning on Monday, DC residents who are 65 and older can register for a vaccine appointment online at coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine or by calling the DC Covid Call Center at 1-855-363-0333. Once registered, seniors can go to designated pharmacies and medical facilities in the District to receive the shot.
This is a massive logistical effort happening across the city. And in Fort Lincoln we should do everything possible to help our seniors get registered for vaccine appointments — many of whom may be delayed in learning about the vaccine rollout or unable to use online portals to register for appointments.

I am collaborating with leaders in each of the 5 Fort Lincoln senior buildings to host an outreach event at each building this Tuesday. We need volunteers to sign up for a one-hour or two-hour block of time this Tuesday.

• All you need to bring is a smart phone (and/or laptop) to help seniors register for appointments online.
• We will set up table booths (either outside the building or in a community room that allows for social distancing). Residents will provide the volunteer with the necessary information to book an appointment, and the volunteer can book the appointment on the spot and provide the senior with an appointment card and/or informational flyer.
• We will provide PPE (e.g., masks, gloves, face shields, medical gowns).

The vaccine rollout is a fast-moving effort and, frankly, many organizations across the District are waiting on additional details to be released Monday. But I’d like to get our volunteer network in place so that we can respond immediately. The current plan is to have 3-4 volunteers staggered across each building as follows:

• 11a – 1p: Wesley House (3400 Commodore JB Dr)
• 12p – 2p: Petersburg (3298 Fort Lincoln Dr)
• 1p – 3p: 3400 Banneker Dr
• 2p – 4p: Vicksburg (3005 Blandensburg Rd)
• 3p – 5p: Gettysburg (3001 Blandensburg Rd)

Please sign up to volunteer for Tuesday afternoon’s outreach event on the Google Form HERE.

All the best,

Pierre