Dear Neighbor,

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to impact our community, I will keep sharing resources and updates that I hope you find helpful. Below I have included information about an upcoming mailing from the County's Health Department, coronavirus information in American Sign Language, and tips for employees and employers. If you are observing Passover or Easter, click here for guidance from the Virginia Department of Health on how to celebrate in a safe way. Regardless of what your plans are this weekend, I hope you are able to spend time with you family and friends (virtually or at a safe distance). 

Mailing from the Fairfax County Health Department

Beginning next week, every household in Fairfax County, the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, and towns of Herndon and Vienna, will be receiving a COVID-19 toolkit in the mail. Information regarding self-isolation, self-care, and prevention measures will be included as well as:

• Instructions on what to do if you are sick with symptoms of COVID-19
• What to do if you are a close contact of someone who is sick
• How to identify and talk to close contacts who are at risk for illness

This information will also be posted online at  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/. 

Video Playlist Provides Coronavirus Information in American Sign Language (ASL)

The CDC's COVID-19 ASL Video Playlist provides access to nearly a dozen videos presented in American Sign Language, covering topics from symptoms of COVID-19 and how to manage the virus at home to handling stress and supporting children during this time.  

Coronavirus Safety Tips for Employees and Employers

While many have begun working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, others still must report to an office, store, or job site to do their work. 

Under Governor Northam's recent executive orders, individuals are allowed to travel to and from work, and essential businesses, including construction and landscaping, may continue to operate as long as they follow social distancing and any other applicable state and federal guidelines. Fairfax County has put together the following tips for employees and employers to stay healthy and limit the spread of the coronavirus. 

Advice for Employees   

• Follow social distancing guidelines, keeping six feet of distance between you and other people. 
• Wear a cloth face covering in public when it is difficult to stay six-feet apart from others. 
• Wash your hands and cover you cough and sneezes, along with these other simple actions. 
• Stay home if you are sick.  
• Drive alone to work sites or parking areas - do not carpool. 

Advice for Employers 

• Assess the hazards to which workers may be exposed.
• Evaluate the risk of exposure including where and how workers may be exposed, including from the public, customers, and coworkers. 
• Select, implement, and ensure workers use controls to prevent exposure, including physical barriers to control the spread of the virus; social distancing; and appropriate personal protective equipment, hygiene and cleaning supplies. 

• Actively encouraging sick employees to stay home. 
• Being aware that some employees may be at higher risk for serious illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions.  
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs. 
• Implementing flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts). 
• Increasing physical space between employees at the worksite. 
• Providing soap and water or hand sanitizer in the workplace.
• Providing disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces can be wiped down by employees before each use.  

• Designate a COVID-19 supervisor who is responsible for ensuring that guidelines are being followed on site. 
• Have forepersons ask workers to self-identify symptoms of illnesses. For COVID-19, symptoms include a fever, coughing and shortness of breath. 
• Reduce the size of work crews to the smallest number needed to safely do the job. 
• Stagger schedules or the trades to limit the number of people working closely to each other. 
• Discourage workers from gathering around toolboxes or other areas. 
• Identify choke pointswhere workers are forced to stand together, such as hallways, hoists and elevators, and break areas, and control them so social distancing is maintained. 
• Minimize interactions when picking up or delivering equipment or materials, maintaining social distance. For example, if an inspector or materials delivery needs to enter the site, they should alert workers by honking the horn so workers can maintain social distance and limit interaction. 
• Disinfect shared tools and construction machinery. 

Stay Informed

John