July 28, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

Due to the rise in the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in Hampton Roads, Governor Northam announced today new public safety restrictions in that region. He stated that the increase has been primarily driven by those in their 20s and younger who have not been social distancing.

This decision, although not applicable to Northern Virginia, is a reminder that this pandemic is not behind us. There is still significant risk and although our region's data is positive at this time, this can change if we are not cautious and not taking precautions. To help prevent spikes in cases we must continue to social distance, wash our hands, and wear face masks (which is required!). I'll provide an update on Fairfax County's data in Thursday's newsletter.

See below for the full July 28 edition of my newsletter. For the resources mentioned in past newsletters, visit my website. If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here.
Board Meeting
Today, the Board met for the last time ahead of the August recess. Read the full Board package here.

Firearms on County Property

  • What happened? The Board authorized a public hearing to prohibit the possession, carrying, and transportation of firearms on Fairfax County owned buildings and property.
  • Why now? This year, the General Assembly gave localities the authority to ban firearms on County property with public input. Our Board has been supporting this move for years.
  • What next? The public hearing will take place on September 15 at 4:30pm.

Redistricting

  • What happened? I asked the Board to refer the issue of reapportionment (or redistricting) to the Legislative Committee.
  • Why? Federal and state law requires that the governing bodies of localities consider Census data (which is only received every 10 years) in deciding whether their election districts need to be adjusted to ensure the standard of one person, one vote.
  • Now what? In years past, to ensure equitable and fair redistricting, the Board established an advisory task force composed of citizens to engage with the community and provide reapportionment options. This year's process may occur similarly. Conversations will take place within the Legislative Committee in case there are any legislative actions taken by the General Assembly on redistricting alongside our work.
  • Anything else? Fairfax County's self-response rate for the 2020 Census is at 76.2%! For comparison, the national response rate is 62.6%. Find information on how to complete the Census here.

Affordable Housing Preservation Task Force

  • What happened? Today, the Board voted to create an Affordable Housing Preservation Task Force. Members will be coordinated through my office and include a diverse group of industry professionals.
  • Background? As the County grows, older multifamily rental and mobile home communities that provide affordable housing for thousands of households are threatened by demolition and redevelopment. These trends are slowly eroding the County’s market affordable housing stock and forcing families and individuals out of the communities where they work. Preservation can take many forms for example, property renovation and unit replacement.
  • What will they do? The Task Force will provide recommendations that include the types of preservation that can occur, types of properties at risk, a guide to what properties and neighborhoods we should prioritize, and preservation strategies with recommended polices and tools.

Fairfax Green Initiatives

  • What happened? The Board continued to build on our strong commitment to protecting the environment by approving several actions for County staff.
  • What will be considered? Some of the actions will be, to research the creation of a compost program for the Fairfax community, accelerate purchases of County electric vehicles, investigate whether or not the County can provide incentives for consumer electric vehicle purchases or similar investments, and the feasibility of creating a Green Bank.

Public Safety Update

  • At the last Public Safety Committee meeting, we announced the launch of a website on police reform. That website is now live.
  • It will serve as a central location for all existing and future data and be a place for you to share your suggestions on reform.
COVID-19
Rebuild VA Grant

  • On August 10, applications will open for the Rebuild VA Grant fund to help small businesses and nonprofits whose operations have been disrupted by COVID-19.
  • The $70 million program will help approximately 7,000 applicants.
  • Learn more and sign up for information sessions here.

Child Care

  • We know that the demand for childcare will be high as we enter the fall.
  • The County anticipates partly supporting this need by bringing back a modified SACC program with smaller group sizes. We are working quickly to stand this up and safely help working families now that we know FCPS has decided to start the school year all virtual.
  • More details will come in early August.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

  • The Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter is collecting loose change to put towards emergency medical care, dental care, parasite prevention, and other needs that must be met at the Shelter.
  • Drop your loose change off this week at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (4500 West Ox Rd. Fairfax):
  • On: 7/30 and 8/1
  • From: 11am-1pm
  • As a reminder, the Shelter is still closed for walk-in visitors for pet adoptions. They continue to use a virtual adoption process.
Health
Common Health Questions:

  • People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. You might experience:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if that isn't an option (especially when in public places)
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • The CDC recommends wearing non-medical masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is now required in Virginia.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) spoke with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

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-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: [email protected]. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
We recognize that we are in very trying times, but I hope you see in these newsletters that positive change has occurred over the last several months.

As I often say, we are truly lucky to live in Fairfax County where we have the resources to overcome challenges and a community who rises to the occasion.

Jeffrey C. McKay
Contact the Office

[email protected] | 703.324.2321 |