By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. Editor
mgreen@afro.com
About two weeks ago, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser announced non-essential businesses, schools and operations would be closed until May 15, and she has now recruited a super squad of powerful Washingtonians to help “ReOpen D.C.”
In a press conference late last week, Bowser announced the program ReOpen DC, which she said, “is about working together to reopen our city in a way that is safe and sustainable.”
With all of the frenzy surrounding last weekend’s NFL draft, on April 27, the following Monday, as part of her daily press conference, Bowser announced who would lead her own winning team- the ReOpen DC Steering Committee.
Bowser has created a team of powerful Washingtonians to lead the efforts to safely reopen the District as the city also works to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy Photo)
“We are, of course, all eager to open our schools, our businesses and be able to get back together with family and friends, but we are all focused on how we can do it safely and we need a plan ready to go that is based on science and tailored to the needs of our community. The ReOpen DC advisory group will help us put that together,” Bowser said.
“Today I’m proud to share that this advisory group is being chaired by two outstanding Washingtonians, who have served several U.S. presidents, including positions in the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations: former U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. So, I want to thank them for bringing their vast experiences to this effort and their willingness to serve their city,” the mayor said.
Rice and Chertoff, along with six co-chairs, who also tout impressive resumes, will lead the ReOpen DC Steering Committee, which Bowser said will provide leadership to sector committees, that will then: “evaluate community feedback, synthesize expert health and medical feedback, evaluate national and local best practices and make sector specific suggestions to regarding plans on re-opening.”
The six Steering Committee co-chairs are:
- Former Mayor Anthony Williams. Real Estate and Construction and Transportation and Infrastructure
- Former Mayor Adrian Fenty. Health Innovation and Workforce and Open Space and Recreation
- Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. Education and Childcare and Restaurants and Foods
- D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Dewitt. Faith, Arts, Culture Hotel, Sports and Entertainment and Small Business and Retail
- Former Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Nicole Lurie for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Human Services, Social Sciences and Health and Social Interactions
- Mayor’s Senior Advisor Beverly Perry. Government Operations, Public Safety and Criminal Justice and Equity and Vulnerable Populations.
While Bowser admits the group has a major responsibility, she said they are competent and ready for the challenge ahead.
“Our chairs and co-chairs come to this project with a broad set of skills, experience and knowledge. They all know and understand the District and are eager to get feedback from residents and local businesses. The group has a big task and they have a relatively short time to work on it and are all up to it and ready to help the District respond,” Bowser said.
In addition to the qualified team, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health Dr. Laquandra Nesbitt will be the Health Advisor to the Steering Committee and members of her team will serve on the sector committees.
As part of the efforts surrounding community feedback, the Mayor encouraged District residents to take a survey available through www.coronavirusdc.org/reopendc and the Committee will hold a virtual town hall on April 29 surrounding reopening of the city.
Bowser said she plans to receive the Committee’s initial report for recommendations on reopening the District the week of May 11.
“This report will have some high-level guidance around reopening as well as some sector specific guidance,” the Mayor said.
