September 3, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

Today the County flag is raised at half staff to remember our community members who have passed due to COVID-19 and to commemorate former Lee District Supervisor Joe Alexander on the day of his funeral. I wrote a note about him earlier this week.

Unfortunately, I have more sad news to share. Chet McLaren, a member of the Fairfax County Park Authority during its early days, also passed this week. Chet was an active environmentalist and worked throughout his life to protect, preserve, and expand the County's greenspace. He was another giant instrumental in Fairfax County history and will be missed.

See below for the full September 3 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.
COVID-19
Vaping Raises Risk of COVID-19 Complications

  • While research about this topic is limited and still ongoing, initial reports show that those who currently vape and those who have ever vaped are experiencing a higher rate of COVID-19-associated side effects.
  • Although teenagers in general seem to experience less severe side effects of COVID-19, the lung damage caused from vaping creates a reasonable concern that it could lead to increased risk for more severe COVID-19 complications.
  • The American Lung Association has reported that quitting vaping can better equip the body to fight off COVID-19 and reduce the severity of symptoms.
  • Read more.

Safe Use of Hand Sanitizers

  • Handwashing is an important way to prevent the spread of disease including COVID-19. The best method is to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Do this often throughout the day.
  • If soap and water isn’t available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills the virus (known as SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. CDC recommends the use of hand sanitizer that contains 60% or more alcohol.     
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to find issues with certain hand sanitizer products. Recently it issued a warning to consumers about alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are packaged in containers that may appear as food or drinks, such as beer cans, children’s food pouches, water bottles, juice bottles and vodka bottles. 
  • Hand sanitizer can be toxic when ingested and adverse events such as cardiac effects, effects on the central nervous system, hospitalizations and death have been observed.
  • Additional information on the safe use of hand sanitizer is available in FDA’s guidelines. A list of hand sanitizer products the FDA urges consumers not to use is also available.
Housing
Evictions

  • The CDC this week issued a universal eviction moratorium that applies to nonpayment of rent.
  • It takes effect on September 4 and lasts through December 31.
  • It applies to all tenants who present a signed declaration to their landlords.
  • The declaration requires the tenant state that:
  • Their income is less than $99,000, they did not have to pay income tax in 2019, or they received a stimulus check.
  • They are unable to pay rent due to income loss or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses.
  • They would become homeless or need to double-up if evicted.
  • They will still make partial payments ("using best efforts to make timely partial payments that are as close to the full payment as the individual’s circumstances may permit, taking into account other non-discretionary expenses”).
  • This moratorium is a floor, it applies wherever there is not a more protective state moratorium in effect.
  • There are criminal penalties for violations.
  • Governor Northam's eviction moratorium in Virginia ends September 7 and evictions are currently being reviewed by the General Assembly.
  • In Fairfax County, the Eviction Prevention Task Force is working proactively to communicate the resources available for tenants with those in the eviction process. We are also working with local landlords to launch a housing stability pledge for residents who demonstrate a significant financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing Resources

  • For assistance with rent (or utilities and food), please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880.
  • The line is multilingual and Fairfax County doesn't ask for immigration status.
  • Search this database to see if your residence is covered by moratoriums.
  • Stay Home Virginia, provides resources for renters, homeowners, landlords, and the homeless.
  • For FCRHA residents: If you are experiencing difficulties in meeting monthly rent payment, you should contact your assigned housing specialist.
  • Virginia Poverty Law Center: Call the Eviction Helpline, 833-NOEVICT (833-663-8428) in English and Spanish.
  • Legal Services of Northern Virginia: Call 703-778-6800 from 9:30am-12:30pm and from 1:30-3:30pm, Monday-Thursday.
  • Your rights as a tenant during the outbreak can be found here.
Other Updates
Low-Cost Rabies Clinics

  • The Animal Shelter has announced the dates for the next curbside, no contact, low-cost rabies vaccination clinics:
  • Sunday, September 13
  • Sunday, October 18
  • Sunday, December 6
  • Dogs, cats, and ferrets may all be vaccinated. Pre-registration is required.
  • All details, including how to sign up, are here.

Child Abuse or Neglect

  • If you are aware of signs of abuse or neglect of a child, learn more here about how you can help protect them and how to report it.
  • But often it's hard to know if a child is being harmed. Learn more here about what to consider if you suspect child abuse. 

Census

  • Data collection for the 2020 Census will end on September 30, 2020 - one month earlier than previously announced.
  • If you haven't been counted don't miss the date!
  • Learn more about the Census in the video below. 
  • How to respond?
  • Online here.
  • Call 844-330-2020 for English or the numbers above.
  • Paper questionnaires were mailed to homes in April.
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 |