December 17, 2021
Dear Washingtonians,
As our city, region, nation, and world work to understand the impacts of the Omicron variant and mitigate the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, you need to act now to protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you are not yet vaccinated, it is critical that you get vaccinated immediately. While it is true that you can still get COVID while vaccinated, being vaccinated protects you from severe illness and death. Getting vaccinated also helps protect our healthcare system from becoming over-burdened since vaccinated people are less likely to get hospitalized for COVID-19.
Anyone 16 and older who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine before June 17, 2021 or the Johnson and Johnson vaccine before October 17, 2021 should get a booster as soon as possible.
Continue to get tested so that you are not unknowingly spreading the virus. Every day, we have walk-up sites open where you can get a free PCR test. We have 27 sites where you can pick up and drop off free at-home PCR tests. If you test positive, isolate yourself and cooperate with the DC Contact Trace Force. If you take an at-home rapid test and test positive, report your results at coronavirus.dc.gov/overthecounter.
Going forward, choose your activities wisely, reconsider social gatherings, and wear a mask indoors. Before going somewhere, consider your own risk, the risk of the people around you, and the risk of the people you might be seeing in the coming days.
I know, DC, that this is challenging—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Let's continue to be there for each other. Check in with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family. We've come a very long way, we've made a lot of good progress, and we will get through this together.
Sincerely,
 This week, Mayor Bowser released the Fiscal Year 2022 Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Opportunity Guide, also known as the Green Book, and, for the first time ever, announced a spending goal of $1.1 billion. The Green Book assists SBEs in navigating the local government procurement process by providing an agency-by-agency overview of SBE spending availability. For the second year in a row, the Green Book will be online, searchable, and interactive.
The Green Book website allows SBEs to search for opportunities in real time through an interactive dashboard. The site brings the Green Book to life with dynamic spending data that businesses can easily sort by District agency and by products or services. Through the website, District small and local businesses are able to easily identify current opportunities and make informed connections with District agencies that will make it easier for entrepreneurs to start, grow, and maintain their businesses.
Mayor Bowser created the Green Book in 2015 (FY16) to better connect small businesses to local opportunities. The first year, the Mayor set a spend goal of $317 million and exceeded that goal by spending $690 million with SBEs. In FY21, the Bowser Administration committed to spend $910 million with SBEs and exceeded that goal by spending more than $1 billion.
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 This week, Mayor Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the selection of a preferred redesign concept for Connecticut Avenue NW that removes the reversible rush hour lanes and adds one-way, protected bicycle lanes on the east and west sides of the roadway.
The preferred “Concept C” comes out of the Connecticut Avenue Reversible Operations and Safety Study. When the reversible lanes were in operation before the pandemic, 1,500 crashes were reported over a three-year review period. It was estimated that eliminating the reversible lanes would decrease crashes there by about 17 percent. The addition of protected bicycle lanes also helps to reduce the speed of vehicular traffic, reducing crash severity and making the area safer for pedestrians.
Concept C had broad support in the community, with multiple Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) passing resolutions in support of the plan, including ANC 3C, ANC 3E, ANC 3F, and ANC 3/4G.
Learn more HERE.
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 On Saturday, January 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Mayor Bowser will kick off the New Year by hosting her 8th annual #FITDC Fresh Start 5K. This year’s race will take place at Anacostia Park.
The Fresh Start 5K is free and open to people of all ages. As always, Mayor Bowser will be in attendance to welcome eventgoers and participate in the 5K. Each participant will receive a #FITDC Fresh Start t-shirt, runner’s bib, and other giveaways courtesy of the 5K presenting partner, AETNA.
Register for the 5K at fitdcfreshstart5k.com
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