Fellow Mount Vernon Vernon District Residents,
I know there are many of you who have
questions about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), County services, closures and how you can help. My office and employees across the County are
working to keep you updated as the situation evolves. Please see below for the most up-to-date overview:
Fairfax County Public Schools
- Fairfax County Public Schools announced that they will be closed for all students from Monday, March 16-April 10.
- FCPS will be open Monday, March 16, for students and staff to access belongings and provide digital devices for students in grades 3-8 who do not have access at home.
Food distributions will continue through the closures at
five locations, with plans to expand coverage. Breakfast will be available from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday at the following locations:
- Bailey’s Elementary School, 6111 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church
- Hutchison Elementary School, 13209 Parcher Avenue, Herndon
- Hybla Valley Elementary School, 3415 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria
- London Towne Elementary School, 6100 Stone Road, Centreville
- Burke School, 9645 Burke Lake Road, Burke
Fairfax County Government, County Employees, and Services
- All County offices will remain open at this time to carry out crucial services to residents. All County agencies have been directed to identify core, essential functions that we must continue to carry out. We are preparing to shift resources to those essential functions, as needed.
- We are working to expand the County’s capacity to work remotely and will be providing additional guidance to agencies. As the situation evolves, it may become necessary to authorize unscheduled leave.
- We strongly encourage residents to conduct County business online if possible.
- We are working with staff to possibly waive penalties and/or fees associated with County services.
If you have further questions or
are in need of services, below are some good references:
Neighborhood and Community Services provides access and referrals to both government and community-based resources for assistance with, but not limited to:
food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.
- Call: 703-222-0880, TTY 711
- Monday-Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm
For
small businesses in need of relief, we have
created a webpage that we will continue to update with guidance.
For the
latest Health Department information on COVID-19:
- Visit the Health Department Website and see their FAQs.
- Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777
- Call the Health Department: 703-267-3511
Utilities
We have reached out to
area utility companies such as Dominion, NOVEC, and Washington Gas to assure that they are
working to protect those at risk of utility disconnection:
- Verizon, Comcast, and Cox, have pledged to keep customers connected for the next 60 days and not terminate services to any residential customer or small business that are unable to pay their bills. Read more...
Mental Health
If you’re
struggling with mental health issues during this stressful time, visit the resources below for help.
- Community Services Board Mental Health Non-Emergency
- Community Services Board Mental Health Emergency Services 703-573-5679 or visit 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive.
- The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, in partnership with PRS CrisisLink, offers a suicide prevention text line in Fairfax. Anyone can text "CONNECT" to 855-11 and a PRS CrisisLink volunteer will respond within minutes. You can also call 703-527-4077, any time 24/7.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis hotline by texting 741741
- Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
- Veteran's Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
For Those Considering Public Meetings
According to the Fairfax County Health Department there is
no evidence of COVID-19 transmission within Fairfax County at this time.
In the event that community spread does occur, the Fairfax County Health Department
will provide further guidance about public meetings.
In the meantime,
a few questions to consider, in the interest of planning and preparedness, as we schedule public meetings and events:
- Is there evidence of community spread of COVID-19? If we don't have community spread today but it occurs before the meeting takes place, be open to canceling the gathering.
- Is there an alternative to an in-person meeting? Can the meeting be conducted by teleconference or video-conference?
- Will there be attendees at high risk for COVID-19 infection? Have a lower threshold for canceling a meeting where there may be many older adults attending.
- Are there ways to make attending the meeting safer? Is it feasible to provide hand sanitizer? Can people "socially distance" at the meeting?
How You Can Help
Community
blood banks are at risk of running low during this time. It’s important that
healthy individuals continue to donate blood. If you are able, please consider donating.
Food Banks and Community Needs
Watch Out for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scams
As the coronavirus public health emergency continues,
scam artists are taking advantage the situation. This includes everything
selling products that supposedly will prevent, treat or cure the virus to
asking for donations to aid people who are sick. These are some
tips and ways to protect yourself from coronavirus scams:
- Ignore any offers, online or otherwise, for coronavirus vaccines, prevention, treatment or cure.
- Be wary of an email that claims to be from the U.S. Center of Disease Control or the World Health Organization. Visit these two organizations websites directly to get the latest information.
- Do not click on any links from unknown sources. This could lead to downloading a virus on your computer or phone.
- Thoroughly research any organizations or charities purporting to be raising funds for victims of the coronavirus.
- Look out for “investment opportunities” surrounding the coronavirus.
Read more about price gouging, how to stay aware and
how to report scams...
____________________________
As we have more information to share,
my office and the Fairfax County Government will continue to update residents.
Thank you for your
support and patience as we work to manage this challenging, complex, and, more importantly, rapidly evolving situation.
We are in this together. Take care of yourselves, your family and neighbors. 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.
