Bowser: No Covid Deaths on May 25; Stage 1 Opening Likely on Friday
By • May 26, 2020 0 923
Mayor Muriel Bowser opened her May 26 press conference on the coronavirus situation by saying that no COVID-19 deaths in Washington, D.C., were reported on Memorial Day, May 25.
Later, she commented that, upon learning of the good news, “I said, ‘Amen,'” adding, “I also know it’s one day. We’re not done with fatalities from COVID.”
Given statistical data meeting the District’s targets, Bowser said, the city would begin its Phase 1 reopening on Friday, May 29, as previously reported.
“We will continue to follow the science,” she said, adding that COVID-19 safety protocols remain in place.
Tagged #DCHOPE, a program by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, in partnership with local business improvement districts, will help small businesses with Phase 1 by distributing a one-time care package of masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.
Also on hand was Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham, who gave a public safety report. Newsham listed three homicides over the last few days, including that of 71-year-old Sheila Lucas, a grandmother trying to break up a fight involving her granddaughter.
Newsham added that property crimes were down compared to 2019, and there has been “a slight decline in domestic violence.”
He also responded to the role MPD has to play in dealing with unruly crowds not practicing social distancing. A police officer was assaulted over the weekend; the suspect is in jail.
It is expected that at tomorrow’s press conference the mayor will announce the Phase 1 opening for Friday.
