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Note: We’ll be pushing the publishing of our daily news roundup by an hour or two for as long as the mayor has 11 a.m. COVID-19 press conferences.

THE NEWS:

Eventually, we will all be able to leave our houses safely (those of us who were fortunate enough to stay home to begin with). When there is a beginning, there is an end. When that day comes, pastimes like watching your favorite sport at a local bar will return. 

“I’ve been dreaming about the day restaurants can welcome dine-in customers again. The energy is jubilant,” writesCity Paper’s Laura Hayes for this week’s cover story, available in print and online. “But I’m jolted back to reality when I wake up. Not every restaurant will make it through the COVID-19 global pandemic.”

Hayes gives it to you straight in this week’s cover story, the first issue staff has ever done 100 percent remotely. Chef and industry thought leader Tom Colicchio predicts 75 percent of restaurants across the country will not be able to reopen due to financial turmoil. D.C.’s food scene will look different when this is all over. A big concern is that big chains will survive while the local spots that keep this city unique and vibrant will vanish. 

To better understand what local restaurants need to reopen, Hayes asked five owners from different parts of D.C. about how they are doing day by day. Hayes’ candor reflects that of the owners, who were asked to be as honest as possible so the public understands what they need to pull through. Read the full story. —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez:

• At Thursday’s press conference, Mayor Muriel Bowser said United Medical Center, the only public acute care hospital located in Ward 8, will be open for walk-up and drive-through testing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting tomorrow. A doctor’s referral is required and only patients who have COVID-19 symptoms and meet the following groups can get tested there: D.C. residents over 65, health care providers and first responders, or D.C. residents with underlying medical conditions. [Twitter]

• There are 12 known deaths related to COVID-19, including a 13-year veteran of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. With 67 new positive cases, the District’s total number of reported patients with COVID-19 is 653. The age cohort that is seeing the most positive cases, with 167, is those between 31 and 40. The least is those over 81, with nine cases. The ward seeing the most positive cases is Ward 6 with 112 and the least is Ward 8 with 51. It’s unclear if testing is evenly spread across the city. As of April 1, 5,070 individuals have been tested for COVID-19. [EOM]  

• At least 37 school nurses will be laid off for not taking part in D.C.’s COVID-19 response. The nurses’ union is accusing management of unfair labor practices. [WCP] 

• Despite at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 among its D.C. workers, the U.S. Postal Service is not providing enough personal protective equipment like masks or gloves to its employees. [WUSA9] 

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

• Delayed makeover of D.C.’s unemployment website impacts tens of thousands of residents. [WCP]

• Nearly 43,700 people have applied for unemployment in D.C. [DC.gov]

• Eight inmates in the DC Jail tested positive for COVID-19. Ten more await test results. [Post]

• A correctional officer at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services has died due to complications from COVID-19. [WJLA]

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

• Restaurants’ pivot to take-out and delivery is coming to an end. [Eater, WCP]

• Farmers are finding ways to sell directly to consumers. [Post]

• An employee from the Columbia Heights Giant tests positive for COVID-19. [DCist]

• Same goes for the Trader Joe’s in Clarendon. [ARL Now]

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

• Local arts groups are relying on community funding in the absence of government support. [WCP]

• Liz At Large: “Here” [WCP]

• NSO musicians hit back at the Kennedy Center’s decision to furlough them. [Washingtonian]

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

• The novel coronavirus pandemic has shut down most of life as we know it. Local residents are turning to running as an outlet. [WCP]

• Happy (What Would’ve Been the) Nationals Home Opener Day. The defending World Series champions were supposed to take to the field today at Nats Park, but with the sports world on shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s unclear when MLB will even return. The Nats are asking fans to send in their favorite 2019 postseason memories via this link. 

• About 30 production freelancers for MASN broadcasts of Nats and Orioles games will not be receiving financial assistance as the MLB season is on pause. [Post]

CITY LIGHTS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

We’re bringing you the best things to watch, read, make, and do from the comfort of your home while social distancing.

• You may have heard of the famous Fugazi retort at Fort Reno—“Ice-cream-eating motherfucker, that’s what you are”—but not many know about the coda to that episode from a decade ago.

• Silver Spring-born filmmakerRian Johnson’s got the screenplays for most of his films online to keep you entertained as you maybe watch along.

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