Dear Neighbor,

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to impact our community, I will continue to share resources and updates that I hope you will find helpful. Below I have included information about the Fairfax County Park Authority's plan to reopen garden plots, a spiritual resource for older adults, other mental health resources, and more.

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

The Fairfax County Park Authority reopened garden plots today, Wednesday, April 29.

Starting today, all 671 Fairfax County Park Authority garden plots will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Access to the plots will be available via nearby and adjacent parking lots that will be staffed and will open only to accommodate gardeners. All garden plot rules apply except for active gardening deadlines. For example, gardeners must self-sanitize water hydrants after use and no tools may be shared. Enhanced guidelines are intended to protect both gardeners and our staff. Gardeners will be notified of the impending opening and the above guidelines via email and gardeners will be expected to comply with all COVID 19 health and social distancing requirements.  

All other park amenities currently closed (like visitors centers and restrooms) will remain closed.

The first day of public hearings on the revised FY 2021 budget proposal began yesterday and continue today, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. and tomorrow, Thursday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m. The hearings will be televised on Channel 16 (Cox Channel 1016; Verizon/Comcast Channel 16), streamed live online, and available to view on demand.

In the interest of preserving the health and safety of residents and staff, there will be no in-person testimony during the budget public hearings. However, those interested in providing input can still do so via phone, video, or in writing. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/clerkservices/ways-provide-public-hearing-testimony for information on how to provide testimony.

If you missed my virtual town hall on the budget proposal, view it on demand here or read my summary of the revised proposal here.

Fears about the coronavirus (COVID-19) can take an emotional toll. To provide support during these unusual times, the Fairfax County Spiritual Support Team is now offering spiritual support by telephone for adults age 60 and over in the community.

The program is available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To speak with a member of the team, call 703-324-5185 and leave your name and telephone number. Your personal information will be protected.

A team member will return your call and speak with you for up to 30 minutes to hear your concerns and help you find peace and comfort in these challenging times. If there is a need for support beyond spiritual comfort, you will be connected to County resources.

The Spiritual Response Team is composed of members of the Fairfax County Community Chaplain Corps and ordained clergy and faith leaders from various religions throughout the County.

These individuals work to provide care and spiritual support to community members during and after an emergency or disaster. They are sensitive to all faith traditions and provide appropriate and sensitive spiritual care to all persons in need, irrespective of their religious or nonreligious identity. They do not proselytize, and they do not provide mental health services.

Other Mental Health Resources

As part of its efforts to provide coronavirus-related information and assistance in multiple languages, Fairfax County now provides COVID-19 text alerts in Spanish. 

To sign up, text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777.  

This is a free, anonymous service provided through Fairfax Alerts, the County’s text and email emergency alert system. Standard messaging and data rates may apply. Fairfax Alerts will never ask for personal information when signing up for these COVID-related texts, and residents may opt out of receiving messages at any time by replying STOP. 

These COVID-19 text alerts will offer up-to-date information about public health guidance, County programs and services, and key news.  

In addition to this text messaging service, information in other commonly-spoken languages in Fairfax County is available online through the County's COVID-19 Language Portal.

Fairfax County is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving coronavirus situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for coronavirus text alerts and to visit the frequently updated website listed below.