Updated October 16, 2020Welcome to the landing page for Northwest Neighbors Village members, volunteers, staff, and our community. Our goal is to alleviate the stress of our Village community by providing a central location of up-to-date information from trusted resources and communication about policies related to the spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the greater Washington, DC region.
We encourage you to visit this page regularly. Information will be updated throughout this rapidly changing period. While we are doing our very best to stay current on information provided on this page, we recommend contacting service providers directly for an accurate account of their availability.
| Northwest Neighbors Village Information
Government Information |
Coronavirus Information | Community Resources |
Monday through Friday - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Members and volunteers are encouraged to call the temporary office line at 202-935-6060.
Staff are available and will gladly help our Village community problem solve and seek appropriate resources.
In accordance with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's extension of DC’s Public Health Emergency, Northwest Neighbors Village is providing modified volunteer services and has suspended in-person group programming through October 9, 2020. This measure is being taken to help reduce potential exposure of the COVID-19 virus for our members and volunteers.
Please visit our calendar for online programs.
We will contact members and volunteers directly and update this webpage when our policy changes.
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DC Department of Health: Everything DC residents need to know about the Coronavirus, updated around the clock. |
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Sibley Hospital Coronavirus Portal: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 from Johns Hopkins Medicine. |
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World Health Organization: Read the latest information on the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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Mayo Clinic: Read up on symptoms and causes, and diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 |
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CDC guidelines for prevention: A cheat-sheet for prevention
CDC Tips for Prevention: Ways to stay healthy, and avoid the Coronavirus or any influenza |
The most important thing to do if you’re experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms is to stay calm. Stay home and call your doctor. Additional tips are below.
The symptoms of COVID-19 overlap with other common illnesses. Here is a chart to help figure out what your symptoms could mean:
Note: This is a compilation of information that has been taken from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
This infographic is not intended to take the place of medical advice.
For questions about your health, please contact your medical provider.
The CDC provides guidance on what to do if you are sick. COVID-19 testing sites are listed on the coronavirus.dc.gov website.
If Village members or volunteers are exposed to someone who is showing symptoms, we recommend the following steps.
Read about DC EMS' statement about when to call, or not call, 9-1-1.
DC EMS has created a map to help consumers locate “Right Care, Right Now” options for seeking care. Remember to call any doctor’s office or urgent care prior to visiting if you have symptoms for guidance.
DC residents without health insurance should call 855-532-5465 to get help getting insured.
Free COVID-19 testing is available for DC residents
Health care providers across the District have free testing for COVID-19 and the District is operating free testing sites at the United Medical Center in Ward 8 and at the UDC Bertie Backus campus in Ward 5. A list of testing locations can be found on coronavirus.dc.gov/testing.
Expanded Testing - Free walk-up COVID-19 testing is now available for residents at firehouses across the District.
Ward 3's firehouse testing site is open from 4-8 pm on Thursdays at Engine Co. 31
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) would like to warn the public about potentially fraudulent activity in the District of Columbia related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During this public health emergency, scammers have taken an opportunity to defraud citizens in various ways. MPD has recently been notified of individuals in the District going door-to-door attempting to sell “Coronavirus insurance”. Those interactions are suspected to be fraudulent.
The Federal Communications Commission has been tracking these scams for months and has seen them expand from bogus cures and phony tests to fake financial relief. Scammers may claim to be calling or texting about student loans, debt consolidation, or even an auto warranty, the common thread is mentioning the virus or uncertain times as the reason for the outreach.
Visit the FCC’s COVID-19 scam page to listen to examples of scam calls and find tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 related scams.
In an effort to keep the community safe, MPD asks the public to avoid the following COVID-19 related scams:
The Department takes matters such as this seriously and will hold such offenders accountable for their actions. If you have been a victim or have knowledge of a suspected Coronavirus fraud or scams in Washington, D.C., please contact the Metropolitan Police Department Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases, is now recommending the use of face masks when out in public. While it is most important for health care providers to have access to high demand personal protective equipment like N95 face masks, there are ways to create your own face mask at home. Here are some resources to help you out:
Why it is important to wear a cloth face covering
Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you, including those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and workers who frequently come into close contact with other people (e.g., in stores and restaurants). Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face coverings are used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
Wear your Face Covering Correctly
Wear a Face Covering to Protect Others
Follow Everyday Health Habits
Take Off Your Cloth Face Covering Carefully, When You’re Home
Preparation for an emergency can help you feel in control and respond better in the event of an emergency. Here are some ways to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak:
DC has an emergency preparedness website for seniors. Check it out for additional recommendations.
Village volunteers are available to provide transportation to our Full Members. Please understand that we may experience a reduction in volunteer availability if our volunteers become ill or choose to reduce the risk of exposure by limiting their time outside of the home. In the event you opt to use other transportation options, Northwest Neighbors Village staff and volunteers can assist connecting you with the following services.
Getting from point A to point B is an important part of daily life. If you are used to using the bus, a carpool or the Metro system, you may want to consider a private ride instead. Below are private pay and low-cost options for getting around the City.
DC Villages has created a document of Guidance for Ride Share Options that you can download here.
Metro Rail and Bus: Click to view Metro’s blog of updates about service changes and increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols implemented during the coronavirus season. Visit Metro's website for up to date information on schedules and routes.
Taxi: you can order a taxi 24/7 online or by calling (202) 398-0500. Wheelchair accessible options available.
Low/Moderate Income Transportation Options: If you are a MetroAccess customer and are choosing to avoid public transportation, you may also use Transport DC, a $5 private taxi service for MetroAccess customers. Visit the MetroAccess website for more information on accessing this service.
Rideshare services provides low-cost, private car rides curb to curb anywhere in the region. Requires a Smartphone “App” for use. No money is exchanged between rider and driver; all payment is handled on the app. Wheelchair accessible options available. For Uber or Lyft, you need a smart phone to download and use the app. Go Go Grandparent can be used with any phone.
CVS
CVS is waiving delivery fees on all prescriptions and everyday essentials.
Call your local pharmacy or visit the CVS website for details.
Local stores:
5013 Connecticut Ave., NW. Phone: 202-966-1815 --- 4555 Wisconsin Ave., NW. Phone: 202-537-1587
Walgreens
Walgreens has a dedicated page on their website devoted to helping seniors during the coronavirus outbreak.
Local store:
3301 New Mexico Ave., NW Phone: 202-966-4900
GoGoGrandparent
GoGoGrandparent has launched a prescription delivery service. Call 1-855-464-6872 to learn more about this service and schedule deliveries.
(If you need over-the-counter medication delivered, call their grocery service at 1-855-754-5328.)
The CDC recommends seniors and people with serious chronic health conditions stay home and avoid crowds. For those of you still going out to buy groceries and supplies, there are supermarkets offering special times for seniors to shop. We recommend calling your local grocer to be sure they are honoring special seniors-only hours before making the trek out there.
Home Delivered Groceries
Delivered groceries including frozen meals, produce, cleaning supplies, over the counter medication, tissues, toilet paper, etc. Click on the name of each resource to be directed to their website.
To use the Senior Support Service, call 1 844 981-3433 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
(Be aware: DC Attorney General Karl Racine has announced a lawsuit against Instacart for charging District consumers millions of dollars in deceptive service fees and for failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in District sales tax. Instacart failed to disclose clearly to consumers that optional service fees were added on their bills and led them to believe these fees were tips for their delivery workers. In fact, the fees were an extra revenue source for the company and did not increase workers’ pay. The Office of the Attorney General is seeking restitution for consumers who paid deceptive fees, back taxes, and interest on taxes owed to the District, civil penalties, and costs.)
Farmer's markets and Mobile markets
Learn more about what are members have learned about online grocery delivery. See page 4 and 5 of November/December 2019 edition of The Village News.
Home Delivered Meals:
Home Delivered Meals through the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) - DACL provides meals to District seniors 60+. For eligibility and to enroll in this program, contact DACL directly at 202-724-5626. (Please note: due to demand, the temporary meal delivery measure to waive eligibility criteria to District seniors 60+ is no longer available.)
Home Delivered Meals - Private Pay
Precooked meals delivered to your home.
Websites and apps like Grub Hub and Door Dash deliver take-out meals to your home. This is a nice way to enjoy a good meal and support your local businesses.
Emergency Food: Capital Area Food Bank has partnered with local "hubs" to distribute food to people who are food insecure. Visit their website for up to date information on the location of the food hubs. We want to be sure all residents have access to nutrition. Please only use the food bank if all other options available to you have failed.
The uncertainty that accompanies a pandemic can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are hotlines available that offer the support of professionals and trained volunteers to help alleviate the angst.
SAMSHA - Offers a Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, which is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disasters. Calls are confidential and offered in multiple languages.
DC's Community Response Team - Provides 24-hour telephone access to a mental health clinician and 24-hour suicide prevention lifeline. Call 1-888-793-4357.
Friendship Line - Offered through the Institute on Aging, 1-800-971-0016, is the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. The Friendship Line is available 24 hours a day.
I Am Fine - For those who are concerned that no one would know if they were in trouble in some way, I Am Fine offers a daily automated call service. If someone does not respond after a number of calls, an emergency contact is notified. They offer a 2-week free trial.
Northwest Neighbors Village has some volunteers available to assist with pet care. Northwest Neighbors Village volunteers can help if you need assistance coordinating paid pet care or ordering supplies online.
The Humane Rescue Alliance urges residents to have a preparedness plan in place:
With your whole family on board and a plan in place, you’ll feel better about your pet’s safety knowing they’re in good hands no matter what challenges may arise. In addition, keeping area animal shelters free of long-term care animals allows them to be better prepared for the onset of kitten season, stray pets and animal care cases that require immediate attention.
Wag! is a network of pre-screened and insured pet sitters and dog walkers. In less than 15 minutes you can book a nearby dog sitter, daycare provider, or dog walker, who’ll take complete care of your loved one – at their place or yours.
Chewy is an online store where you can purchase pet food, supplies, and medication.
