THE NEWS:

Let’s try to make sense of the last 24 hours.

Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency over the novel coronavirus that has made its way to the District of Columbia. So far, 10 D.C. residents have tested positive for the coronavirus disease, COVID-19. The causes of two of those cases are unknown. DC Health says there is now person-to-person spread in D.C.  

Nationwide, the globe is scrambling to respond to what’s now become a pandemic. “Bottom line, it’s going to get worse,” saysAnthony Fauci, the long-established director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 

Here in D.C., major and minor events are being postponed or canceled indefinitely because scientists are recommending against large gatherings to delay the further spread of the coronavirus. People are also understandably nervous. 

It’s hard to keep up, so City Paper has a list of what’s CANCELED, from public happenings to art and music shows to sports events to food festivals. What about schools? How about transit? Our nine-member staff has readers covered in this week’s cover story, available in print and online.

While a lot has been canceled or scaled back, there are organizations that cannot afford to because the demand for them right now is needed. Martha’s Table, for example, will continue to stay open and will even ramp up services in its three locations in Southeast and Northwest. 

“We know that the communities we support might be really impacted by this. If people are sent home from work and [wages drop], things like food access will become very very important,” says President and CEO of Martha’s Table, Kim Ford.

Martha’s Table will continue to host no-cost monthly community dinners and will now let people shop at its markets more than once a month. Hot meals will be pre-packaged and all food will be bagged so people do not have to congregate for long periods of time. If more workers are asked to stay home and more schools continue to close, services will likely expand so less people go hungry. Organizations like these need help. Food & Friends needs volunteers to help pass out meals.—Amanda Michelle Gomez(tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)  

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez:

  • Residents are paying an extra $199 a year for membership-based primary care, because they want the “best” product. But the purchase doesn’t come without moral conflict. [WCP]

  • We’ll be updating this list of what’s canceled in D.C. as we learn more information. [WCP]

  • Here’s how to report scams related to COVID-19 and worker violations if employers are breaching paid sick leave policy. [OAG, OAG]

  • Mount Pleasant Street NW gets a new look with redevelopment. [UrbanTurf]

  • Metro seems to think climate change is causing sharks to bite humans. [WAMU]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Jack Evans isn’t the only scandal-tainted pol attempting a political revival. [WCP]

  • Is it right to pay for signatures on nominating petitions? [WCP]

  • Evans probably qualifies for public campaign financing. [Post]

  • D.C.’s public campaign finance program already handed out more than $1.2 million in its first year. [DCist]

  • Kent Cooper compiled an online database of the money sloshing around D.C. politics. [DC Line]

  • As coronavirus spreads, what will the city do about people without homes? [WAMU]

  • Mayor Muriel Bowser signs emergency bill banning ghost gun kits. [Post]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Local practitioners demonstrate how Buddhism and the hospitality industry go hand-in-hand. [WCP]

  • Cork Wine Bar & Market has a new chef who cooks with a lot of fruit and flowers. [WCP]

  • Delivery drivers are worried about their health and safety in coronavirus times. [Post]

  • How sick leave works in restaurants. [Eater]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • A local cigar box juggler’s perfectly imperfect act is a hit. [WCP]

  • Sam “The Man” Burns, 1957–2020. [WCP]

  • The impact of coronavirus on D.C.’s arts scene. [WAMU]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Maryland point guard Anthon Cowan Jr. reads the comments. He sees what people say about him on social media. Cowan, as he always has throughout his basketball career, feeds off the doubt. [WCP]

  • Jazz center Rudy Gobert has tested positive for COVID-19, which led to the NBA suspending its season. As Fred Katz of the Athletic points out, the Wizards played the Jazz on Feb. 28. The virus has an estimated incubation period of two to 14 days. [Yahoo]

  • The NCAA tournament will go on without fans in the stands. [CBS Sports]

  • Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s decision on Wednesday afternoon to continue to host NBA and NHL games as scheduled with spectators at Capital One Arena drew plenty of criticism. [Post]

  • Five Nationals players made it on ESPN’s top 100 MLB players list. [NBC Sports Washington]

CITY LIGHTS, byEmma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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