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April 13, 2020

To My Hunter Mill District Neighbors:

The COVID-19 pandemic has immensely changed the way we interact with each other, from collaborating with co-workers on video, online distance learning for our students and virtual celebrations with family and friends. In the short term it has also changed the way our government functions, including Board of Supervisors meetings. Tomorrow, April 14, will mark the first time in Fairfax County history for an all-virtual Board of Supervisors meeting. For us on the Board it will be quite a different experience from our usual seating at the dais in the Government Center Auditorium, like the photo above. Our new challenge is to continue essential government functions while maintaining the ability for residents to fully participate in our public processes – basically to keep our open government open both operationally and politically during the most serious pandemic in a century. 

Chairman Jeffrey McKay will be at the Government Center and the nine district supervisors will be in our district offices. And hopefully you will be watching safely from home. It is a large, complex undertaking by our county employees responsible for coordinating our meetings and I really appreciate their efforts to keep our government open. I encourage you to watch the meeting if you can. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. tomorrow, April 14 and will be   t elevised on Channel 16 ,  streamed live online  and available to  view on demand  following the meeting. More information on the meeting can be found here , including the agenda. If you are interested in speaking at a public hearing tomorrow you are invited to participate b y calling in or submitting written or video testimony, details are available online .

Thank you for your patience as I work to maintain and, perhaps, even enhance your ability to participate in county processes during the pandemic.    

Also a note on these coronavirus updates. Beginning this week, we will be publishing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition, we will also publish our regular monthly newsletter this week. We appreciate your feedback on these coronavirus updates and will continue them as along as needed.

Respectfully,
Walter

Today's Updates (April 13)
Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
Daily reported numbers as reported by the Virginia Department of Health are here .

Twitter Q&A With Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay
Tomorrow, April 14, 10-11 a.m. you can ask Chairman McKay your questions regarding COVID-19 and the impacts on Fairfax County. Tweet questions to @jeffreycmckay with hashtag #askChairMcKay .

New Language Portal
The county has created a portal with vital COVID-19 related information in one place and includes translation content in our top seven non-English languages, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi.  Learn more .

Geospatial Resources Platform
The Geospatial Resources Platform highlights applications with data relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic in Fairfax County. Some examples are:
  • Food resources with food pantries, FCPS grab-n-go locations, and other nonprofit sites.
  • Healthcare resources with hospital, urgent care, respiratory clinic, and pharmacy locations.
  • Grocery stores that support seniors shopping during special hours. 

Happy 90th Birthday Muriel!
Today our Hunter Mill District neighbor Muriel Turner celebrates her 90th birthday. Her neighbors on Lake Shore Drive in Herndon wanted to make sure that despite COVID-19, this milestone birthday was celebrated in style! They decorated the outside of her house, including a large sign on her lawn. The neighbors also coordinated a walk/drive-by for people to wave or honk for Muriel and I stopped by to congratulate her (at left) this afternoon.

Her neighbor Paul Sullivan said " Funny how Muriel’s birthday has brought our community together at an important and difficult time. Muriel always brings a smile, warmth and positive energy to everything she does and with everybody she meets. It is why we love her!"

Thank you Muriel for giving us something to celebrate and best wishes for many more happy and healthy birthdays!
Resources and Updates

Small Business
Updated Information for Businesses Impacted by the Coronavirus
This county web page provides the latest resources and information specifically for businesses and their employees. For questions that you may have on business restrictions, email business@virginia.gov .  If you have a specialized question you can contact the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives at DEI@fairfaxcounty.gov . Learn more .

Support Local Restaurants with Takeout or Delivery
Visit Fairfax is now providing a restaurant Take Out Trail Guide; check it out and help support local businesses:  Learn more .

Census
Have you filled out your 2020 Census yet? The U.S. Constitution requires that each decade we take a count of the nation's population. For each resident who does not respond to the census, Fairfax County could lose $12,000 in potential funding over the course of a decade. Please take a few minutes to fill out yours today! #FFXCounts


County Operations
Residents Discouraged from Taking Yard Waste to Fairfax County Transfer Station or Landfill 
Fairfax County residents are strongly discouraged from taking their yard waste to the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill .  Learn more .

 Trash and Recycling Changes Effective Monday, March 30
Effective Monday, March 30, the county's Solid Waste Management Program is changing collection requirements for trash and recycling haulers and changing service levels at the county’s two disposal sites. These changes included the suspension of the collection of yard waste and glass recycling at purple containers countywide . Learn more .

Fairfax County Courts Further Postpone Dockets Due to the Coronavirus
The Fairfax County courts are making new changes to their schedules and procedures in response to the coronavirus, including further postponing dockets.   Learn more .

To help limit the spread of the coronavirus, Fairfax County closed all  government buildings and facilities  to the public until further notice. However, the county government remains open for business online and by phone and mail and some specific services will continue to be provided in-person. Learn more .
 
Fairfax County Extends Tax Payment Deadlines for Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes
The  Board of Supervisors  approved a one month extension for filing vehicle and business personal property taxes and paying the first installment of real estate taxes. The board took action today at its  March 24 meeting  to assist taxpayers during the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more .

County Fire Stations Close to Public
In order to protect the health of firefighters and medics, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is closing all fire stations to the public, effective Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m. These closures are in coordination with the decision to close county government buildings  to the public. Learn more .

Animal Shelter Service/Program Updates
The Animal Shelter has cancelled activities and implemented temporary changes for several programs and services. Learn more.
 
Park Authority Closes All Parks; Trails Remain Open
All county Park Authority parks and amenities are closed to the public until further notice. This change is in response to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s order to close public access to recreational facilities. Park Authority closures include parking lots, athletic fields, sport courts, restrooms, nature centers, visitor centers, golf courses, historic sites, picnic areas, playgrounds, amusements, boat launches, skate parks, off-leash dog areas, outdoor fitness equipment and any areas for open recreation. Learn more .


Health
Safety Tips for Employees and Employers
While many of us are able to work from home during the pandemic, some of us still must report to an office, store or job site to do our work, including Technician Seaman (at left) at Station 25 in Reston. Employees and employers can take steps to stay healthy and limit the spread of the coronavirus .   Learn more .

CDC Recommends Wearing Simple Cloth Face Coverings in Public
Information on COVID-19 Case Reporting in the Fairfax Health District 

COVID-19 and Kids: The Problem with Playdates
If your kids go outside, it is important to maintain social distance of at least six feet from anyone from outside their own household. Learn more .

Video: What Should You Do if You Get Sick from the Coronavirus?
In this video, two nurses from our Health Department provide guidance on what you can do at home to take care of yourself if you get sick with COVID-19. Watch

New Health Department Call Center Hours
The Health Department’s Coronavirus Call Center has changed it hours.The Call Center, which can be reach at 703-267-3511 with coronavirus questions, is now open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Learn more .

Social Distancing, Self-Isolating and Quarantine: What Do These Terms Mean?
We’ve all been hearing terms like “social distancing,” “self-isolating” and “quarantine” — but what do these terms mean and how do we use them to protect ourselves and others? Learn more .

Explaining the Increase in Positive Cases; 4 Ways We Can Stop Coronavirus from Spreading Right Now
Our COVID-19 case numbers will continue to increase, but we do have some control over how fast that increase occurs and how high it goes. Experience from other disease pandemics and from other countries that have already experienced COVID-19 outbreaks show that several measures can make an enormous difference. Learn more . 

Three Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics Open 
Inova Urgent Care locations at Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons are staffing Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. The three clinics also collect COVID-19 vehicle-side samples that have been ordered by physicians. Learn more .

Health Care Options for the Uninsured 
The county has a list of resources for the nearly 8% of residents without health insurance, including a list of clinics that offer low-cost or free medical care and pharmacies during the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more .


Human Services
This v ideo play list  provides access to nearly a dozen videos presented in American Sign Language, including "When to Get Medical Care" at left. Learn more .

Social Security Administration Updates on COVID-19
Get updates on Social Security payments and how to get assistance here .

Consider Alternate Means to Celebrate Religious Observances
With many major religious observances approaching and evidence of community spread of COVID-19, residents are encouraged to consider alternative means of celebrating religious observances .  Learn more.

How to Help Your Neighbors in Need in Hunter Mill District
I encourage everyone who can to consider volunteering or donating to assist our local community organizations noted below or through your own faith community or civic organization. Here's how to help.

Legal Advice for COVID-19 Issues 
Legal Services of Northern Virginia provides free legal advice to low-income, older adults and individuals with disabilities and is prepared to provide consultation on issues related to COVID-19 including unemployment claims, housing evictions and foreclosures and protective orders. Learn more .

4 Things to Know About Tenant-Landlord Rights
While many things remain uncertain, here are some things to remember about tenant-landlord rights that may provide guidance. Learn more .

Answers to Many Basic Needs Questions (Food, Utilities, Evictions) Can Be Found Online
Residents in need of assistance for the first time may not know where to start. Coordinated Services Planning provides resources including food/utility/rent. Learn more .

Making Home a Safer Place for Domestic Violence Survivors During the Pandemic
With the unemployment rising and bills mounting, these additional pressures during the already stressful coronavirus pandemic could lead to an increase in domestic violence. Learn more .

For those affected in our community, job seekers and employers have access to Virginia Career Works Centers — a comprehensive system of employment and training services and resources delivered and coordinated through one-stop employment resource centers. Services are being offered online and by phone, so please reach out if you need assistance. Learn more .

Human Services: Assistance From a Distance
There are many online and phone/hotline services available for residents in need of human services support, including for domestic/sexual violence services, older adults and people with disabilities. Get help .

Interactive Map to Find Food Resources, Services
Some of our neighbors in Hunter Mill District may have food assistance needs. To make it easier for you to find food resources, the county has developed a searchable map that includes all food distribution sites, including Fairfax County Public Schools, community meal distribution sites, food pantries and other related services. Please share this information with your neighbors and organizations. Learn more .
 
Housing Resources
Many residents may have concerns about mortgage payments and assistance. Here are suggested resources:
·     Fannie Mae
·     Freddie Mac


Public Safety
Fire Chief Addresses Concerns 
In video at left, Fairfax County Fire Chief John S. Butler addresses the coronavirus situation and how the county’s fire and rescue personnel are addressing it — and what you can do to help.

Video: Police Chief Addresses Coronavirus (COVID-19) Concerns 
Watch video at left; learn more .

Keeping Public Safety Employees Safe During the Coronavirus 
Please help us keep our public safety employees safe! Note that there are changes in processes if you seek help from Police, Fire and Rescue, 9-1-1 call takers or Sheriff’s deputies. Learn more .

Beware of Door-to-Door Coronavirus Scams 
As the coronavirus public health emergency continues, scam artists are taking advantage the situation. This includes everything from selling products that supposedly will prevent, treat or cure the virus to asking for donations to aid people who are sick.  Learn more .

How to Report Non-Emergency Incidents
In order to responsibly maintain social distancing, the Fairfax County Police Department is asking residents to report eligible non-emergency incidents by using the online reporting system or calling the non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. Learn more .


Transportation
Fairfax Connector Announces Service Reductions due to Impacts of COVID-19
Effective Saturday, April 11, temporary adjustments will be made to Fairfax Connector bus service due to reduced ridership from the impacts of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of passengers and operators. Learn more.

The community meetings for the Preferred Plan for Herndon-Reston Area Bus Service have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. Residents can provide input via an online survey at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/reston-herndon-bus-service-review-survey-preferred . The survey will be open until further notice. Comments can also be mailed to Fairfax County Department of Transportation, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22033. You can also email feedback.

Metro to Close Additional 17 Stations and Selected Entrances
Amid low-ridership and the need to conserve critical cleaning supplies during COVID-19 response, Metro announced the  strategic closing of 17 additional stations , effective Thursday, March 26. Learn more .

Utilities
List of Utilities Suspending Service Disconnections, Offering Other Billing Options
As COVID-19 impacts continue, area utility companies are taking actions to help offer relief during this time.  Learn more .  


Vienna
Gov. Ralph Northam Requests the General Assembly Move the May General Election (includes Town of Vienna) Scheduled for May 5 to the Nov. 3 General Election
Read news release .

Town of Vienna Updates
Get the latest information on town operations and more here .


Wellness
Help Your Community, Take a Vacation and Learn Something New — All Without Leaving Your House 
There’s lots you can do and learn without ever leaving the house, as shown by this young man on the left! Try a science experiment, volunteer in your community or take a virtual vacation. Learn more .

Wellness Resources for You and Your Family 
To aid you, the people you care about and our community, the county has compiled a range of resources and information on a newly created Wellness Resources web page .
Stay Informed