Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

This email includes information about a public service campaign with a simple message: "Wear a Mask", Fairfax Connector returning to full service, a link to Dranesville District School Board Representative Elaine Tholen's August newsletter, information on helping the office of elections with absentee voting, and more. I will continue to highlight resources and updates that I hope you will find helpful.

Please share this email with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.

Sincerely,
John
Local Healthcare Systems Join Forces
on Masking Campaign

Area health systems take collective action to prevent the spread of COVID-19
and support health of communities

In a first-of-its-kind public service campaign, four of the region’s leading healthcare organizations (HCA Northern Virginia, Inova Health System, Novant Health UVA Health System, and Virginia Hospital Center) joined forces on the “Wear a mask” campaign, launched on August 12, featuring print, digital, and social media messages in English and Spanish encouraging the public to wear masks.
For hospitals and their frontline medical teams treating COVID-19 patients, prevention remains critical in fighting this pandemic. While healthcare workers continue to fight COVID-19 inside hospital walls, they are relying on the public to do their part by wearing masks, using good hand hygiene and social distancing.

For the complete press release, click here.
Update from Elaine Tholen,
Dranesville District School Board Representative
Dranesville District Representative, Elaine Tholen, provided the latest information, resources, and upcoming school board and town hall meetings related to the reopening of Fairfax County Public Schools this fall in her August newsletter, available online here.
CARES Act Funding for Affordable Housing Providers
Many individuals and families are facing significant financial challenges - including loss of employment or reduced income - due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, tenants are making difficult choices on how to make ends meet – and specifically, how to pay their monthly rent. Some have been unable to pay rent and others have reduced or eliminated spending on other critical needs (such as food and medical care) in order to make their rent payments.

To help, Fairfax County has allocated nearly $2.5 million in supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to affordable housing providers in need of financial assistance due to the unexpected loss of rental income during the Coronavirus Pandemic. The funding, coming through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is to be used to cover the rental obligations of eligible tenants who are unable to pay their full or partial rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is NO PENALTY OR REPAYMENT associated with this assistance.

For more information on the program, eligibility and application process click here. For questions pertaining to funding or the application process, email Michael.Pearman@fairfaxcounty.gov

Related COVID-19 Housing Assistance and Resources:
Fairfax Connector Returns to Full Service Beginning August 29
Fairfax Connector, the largest local bus system in the Commonwealth of Virginia, will resume full service on all routes starting Saturday, August 29, 2020. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Fairfax Connector maintained approximately 70 percent of its service to ensure customers dependent on transit had access to essential jobs and vital services and could practice social distancing on Fairfax Connector buses.

All routes continue to be FREE until further notice.

Returning to Full Service - Safety of Passengers and Operators Comes First
Enhanced Cleaning Protocols and Training of Operators

To ensure a safer environment for both passengers and operators aboard Fairfax Connector buses, Fairfax Connector operations contractor Transdev will continue to:
  • Follow cleaning and disinfecting guidance from public health officials.
  • Enhance vehicle cleaning and disinfecting cycles on bus interiors and critical touch points, such as door handles, handrails and other surfaces.
  • Keep employees informed about the disease and guidance to prevent the spread of illness.
Rear Door Entry and Exit Required
  • Fairfax Connector customers will continue to be required to enter and exit the bus using the rear doors (this does not apply to customer­­s who need to use a wheelchair ramp.)
  • While rear door entry is required, no fares will be collected, and all routes continue to be free.
Wearing a Face Covering on the Bus is Mandatory. Face coverings available for those without one (while supplies last)
  • Per Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order, wearing a face covering on Fairfax Connector buses will continue to be mandatory to protect the health and safety of both passengers and operators. For instructions for how to make your own face covering, visit the CDC’s face coverings webpage, here.
  • Since May 2020, Fairfax Connector staff have distributed more than 15,000 face coverings to passengers and will continue to have them on-hand for those without one (while supplies last).

Practice Social Distancing and Follow Public Health Guidelines
Fairfax Connector passengers are reminded that the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to follow these recommendations from public health officials:
  • Practice social distancing (keep six feet apart when possible).
  • Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick. 

To read the full article and for information on new and enhanced routes, click here.
Help Needed with Absentee Voting
The Office of Elections is seeking to hire about 200 additional seasonal staff to process mailed absentee ballots, work at in-person absentee voting locations, or help in our office. Start dates will vary depending on the position, but you should be available in the fall at least through Election Day. However, if hired, you are still eligible to serve as an election officer in a polling place on election day. 

For more information and to apply, visit this page: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/absentee-positions-application . Applicants for the position “processing mailed absentee ballots” need to be able to work at least one of the schedules listed. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information on early/absentee in-person voting visit the Office of Elections website here.
Stay Informed
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below: