December 23, 2020
Dear Washingtonians,
As we prepare to celebrate the holidays and close out 2020, I want to first thank our entire community for your consistent and ongoing efforts to protect our city and stop the spread of this virus. I know it is a difficult sacrifice, but with the recent rise in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, we are asking you to celebrate the holidays at home this year.
I know that some Washingtonians have not seen their families since this time last year. For some, it has been even longer. It is not easy to be apart from the ones we love for such a long time and it can be especially difficult during the holidays. But now is not the time to let down our guards or to put our most vulnerable family members and neighbors at risk.
As you plan the next few days and weeks, remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Make these celebrations virtual, but then plan to come together in person once we have our vaccinations and when the virus is under control.
Remember:
- Many people are getting the virus from people who do not even know they have COVID-19. That's because some people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms at all. Don't assume that just because you feel well, you don't have the virus; and don't assume that just because the people you are with feel well, they don't have the virus. Always use caution.
- Wearing a mask protects the people around you, but it also protects you. Wear a mask even when you are with close friends and family members who are not part of your household. Wear a mask around people who look and feel healthy.
- When meeting up with people, outdoors is better than indoors, but you still need to social distance and wear a mask even outdoors. If you are indoors, do not seat people from different households close to each other.
- Testing has its limitations. A negative test today could be a positive test tomorrow. Do not use testing to give yourself a false sense of security.
Finally, please take time to check on your friends, family, and neighbors. This has been a difficult year, and collectively, we have experienced so much loss and isolation. But with safe and effective vaccines in the early stages of distribution, we can go into 2021 with hope. DC has followed the science since the beginning, and now the science has provided us a way out of this pandemic.
I am optimistic that in 2021 we will regain some sense of normalcy, come back even stronger, and once again be able to celebrate with friends and family.
Happy holidays, DC. Stay safe.
With gratitude,
 Mayor Bowser is inviting residents to celebrate the New Year by participating in a virtual 7th Annual #FITDC Fresh Start 5K. This year, instead of gathering at one location, residents are encouraged to mask up, social distance, and run/walk in their neighborhood, at a DCPS or DPR track, and/or on one of the suggested routes provided through the registration portal. Residents are encouraged to participate between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on January 1, 2021, and to share pictures and selfies on social media using the hashtag #FRESHSTART5K2021
Participants who register will receive a #FITDC Fresh Start t-shirt and medal in the days leading up to the 5K via grab-and-go pickup at select DPR recreation centers.
Learn more and register HERE.
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 Through the #ThankYouDC campaign, we are recognizing individuals going above and beyond for their DC neighbors during a difficult year.
Follow the hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to see the stories of the public servants, like Ingrid, Officer Hamilton, and Katie, who have helped lead DC through an unprecedented crisis with compassion, courage, and kindness.
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 Last week, the District received an initial allotment of 6,825 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. By Monday, more than 4,500 health care workers and frontline workers had started receiving the vaccine at hospitals and health care providers across DC.
This week, the District is receiving additional doses of both the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. You can learn more about where these vaccines are going and who will be receiving them in Monday's situational update.
Find more information about the vaccines at coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine
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