Washington, D.C. – (Tuesday, March 24, 2020) – DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is moving to shutdown all non-essential businesses in the city. That means spaces like hair and nail salons, barber shops, massage parlors,  tattoo shops, tanning salons, and others will have to shut their doors.

“There will be others in the services area that are not related to an emergency response that will need to shut their doors,” said Bowser.

The mayor spoke today at an 11am press conference where she also announced that so-called “distant learning” is underway for students and educators.  Distant Learning means youngsters are required to complete school packages handed out by their teachers and participate in learning activities via the internet.

Bower is joining Maryland and Virginia governors who took similar actions yesterday closing all non-essential facilities across the region.  It has become part of the new normal, as much of the nation and the world, come to grips with the global coronavirus pandemic.

Meantime, the mayor has set up a special fund to help students who may not be able to access learning via computers or the internet.  It’s called the DC Equity Fund.  Thus far, the fund has already raised $1,000,000.00.  You can donate at www.dcedequity.org.  It’s unclear when or if students from the District will return to traditional classes this school year.