(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that District Government has commissioned 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizer from Republic Restoratives Distillery and Compass Coffee (1,000 each) as part of the District’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The new supply of hand sanitizer will be allocated to the District’s frontline workers, including first responders, health workers, and critical government personnel leaving their homes every day to serve their neighbors. The Bowser Administration is pursuing additional orders of sanitizer from other local businesses.
“It is critical that we protect our frontline workers as they fight every day to combat the spread of coronavirus in the District,” said Mayor Bowser. “These local small businesses will repurpose their operations to assist DC workers. This supports our local economy, and we are grateful to Republic Restoratives, Compass Coffee, and other businesses for stepping up to help during this public health emergency.”
“We’re proud that the city is turning to small businesses like ours during this crisis,” said Pia Carusone, co-Founder of Republic Restoratives Distillery. “That is the kind of innovation and leadership that we need right now. For us, it’s allowing my team to continue working in what is an otherwise dire environment. So we’ll continue making as much hand sanitizer as fast as we can until we get through this shortage.”
“We’re glad to see how quickly the Bowser Administration has responded and grateful for their leadership in solving problems during this crisis,” said Harrison Suarez, co-Founder of Compass Coffee. “This order puts people back to work and gets critical supplies to first responders and essential personnel. We’re honored to be a part of rebuilding our city.”
For the latest information and resources on COVID-19, go to coronavirus.dc.gov.