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April 22, 2020
Greetings Neighbors,

It’s Earth Day 2020! What an interesting time to celebrate Earth Day, as environmental initiatives are slowed down, our roadways are empty, smoggy skies are clearer, more people are teleworking, walking and planting gardens. These are all changes we can make to help mitigate climate change, and hopefully, many can be incorporated as we also do what we must to revitalize our local economy and get business moving again.

This week, my contribution to Earth Day is planting the flower bed around our Mount Vernon District Governmental sign. This bed, started last year, provides a bright welcome for those visiting the governmental center, complements the existing native plantings and provides food for our pollinators – think bees and butterflies! I encourage each of you to take one new action this week in observance of Earth Day, for example, planting flowers, shrubs and trees are great ways to celebrate. Trees consume carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, helping to mitigate climate change on a local level. When planting, it’s always best to look for native plants. Studies have shown that when people spend time in nature, stress levels decline and general wellbeing improves. There’s more than one good reason to go out into the garden this Earth Day!

Along the outdoors theme, I also wanted to share with you my efforts regarding opening our parks. I am encouraging the park authorities to review their decisions and find ways to reopen parking lots, fields, tennis courts and golf courses – with proper social distancing, of course. At this stress-filled time, we all need our moments of Zen, exercise and fresh air. While some are blessed with being able to walk or bike to parks, we are not all so lucky. I understand the park authorities’ decisions were made to protect employees and the public, but I do believe we can find a compromise.

Like many of you, after more than a month of no school I am very disappointed and frustrated that our school system has not been able to effectively restart online instruction to continue the crucial education of Fairfax County children. It is a significant failure that I hope they can quickly rectify. While the Board of Supervisors has no authority over the FCPS Board or operations, I will support and advocate for our students, staff and schools in whatever way possible to get FCPS back on track and students learning. As a former school board member and chair, the education of our children will always my highest priority.

I hope you are all staying healthy and safe, and I have an number of COVID-19 updates to share with you below.
NOTE: Only those topics that are new since my last newsletter are updated below. For information sent in previous emails visit our website . If you know someone who would like to sign up for my newsletter, they can do so here.
Update from Inova

Inova has opened a fourth Respiratory Illness Clinic in the City of Alexandria. Clinics are able to collect samples via physician ordered and coordinated vehicle-side appointments for COVID-19 testing, as well as screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms. 

If you don't live near one of the four Respiratory Illness facilities, Inova assured me that COVID-19 testing is available across the Inova Health System if you meet the criteria for testing outlined by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. 

Is it safe to go to the emergency room? If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please visit the ER or call 911 immediately. Delaying treatment can be a dangerous decision. Inova ERs have taken precautions to provide a safe environment for all patients.

Helping Inova
  • All in-person visitation is suspended.
  • To limit exposure and spread of COVID-19, Inova has adopted a system-wide initiative that will allow patients to receive a wider range of healthcare services without having to travel to an Inova healthcare facility.
  • Donate needed items, blood, and those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered, can donate blood plasma for research.

FCPS


Jump Start Program from Northern Virginia Community College

NOVA is offering tuition-free online classes for approximately 70,000 Northern Virginia high school students this summer. Classes are for rising and graduating seniors looking to earn college credit and will run from June 1 to July 15. Learn more...

Cox Connect2Compete Free Service

Recognizing that students will remain home to finish out the school year, Cox has extended free Connect2Compete service, the company’s low-cost internet offer for families with a K-12 student at home until July 15. Remote service support is also extended to ensure ease of implementation while students continue to learn at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers that sign up between March 13 and May 15 are eligible for this offer and will receive free service until July 15. Learn more...

Financial Assistance

  • Representative Beyer's Office released information on financial assistance available to Northern Virginians. It details direct payments, explanations of unemployment insurance, information for federal workers and students, and more. Read the Guide...
  • Representative Beyer will host his next Tele Town Hall today, Wednesday, April 22 at 5 p.m. Learn more...
  • Guide for those in need of housing assistance.
  • Fairfax County's Microloan Program...

Department of Family Services

DFS has launched a Parent Support Line
  • The line will be staffed with members of the child abuse prevention team who will assist parents and caregivers looking for resources or who have parenting questions. 
  • Spanish-speaking team members are available and other languages will be supported.
  • Contact: 703-324-7720 or email: buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov 
  • Offered M-F, 8 am - 4:30 pm
  • More information on "Staying Safe at Home"...
 
Resources for Businesses

Covid-19 Business Survival Toolkit Webinar

Register to attend the "Covid-19 Business Survival Toolkit Webinar" on Thursday, April 23 at 2 p.m. This is the first of the “Beyond COVID-19: NOVA Business Resiliency Webinar Series” presented by the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance (NOVA EDA), which includes the FCEDA. This will be a 12-session series.

These webinars will focus on how to keep moving forward during and after the current global pandemic. The first in this series will delve into issues of government financing programs, staff management and assessing your digital readiness to encounter the new business reality. For more information and to register...

County Small Business MicroLoan Program Webinars

Community Business Partnership is hosting two webinars to provide information you need to successfully apply for the Fairfax County Small Business MicroLoan Program. Loan applications become available April 28. Now is the time to prepare and ask questions. 

Attend an informational webinar:

Other News



Additional Resources

Fairfax County Health Department  
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily. 
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19Health Department Website, and see their FAQs
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777
  • Call the Health Department from 9:30 am - 9 pm weekdays and 9:30 am - 5 pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am - 8 pm. 



Congressional Art Competition Entry Dates Extended

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

  • Congressman Beyer's District has extended this year's entry deadline to May 29. Read more...
  • Congressman Connolly's District has extended this year's entry deadline to May 8. Read more...
If you missed the Mount Vernon District Budget Town Hall, you can still watch it here.

Have you completed the 2020 Census yet? Learn why its important...

Thank you for your support and patience as we work to manage this challenging, complex, and rapidly evolving situation. We are all in this together.

Take care of yourselves, your family and neighbors, and support our local businesses and not-for-profit service providers. Look out for those who are elderly or infirm in your neighborhoods and let our office know if there are ways you or your neighbors need help.
Respectfully yours in public service,
 


Dan Storck
Supervisor, Mount Vernon District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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Mount Vernon District Office | 703-780-7518