I hope you have a nice Independence Day weekend with family and friends, while continuing to practice safe social distancing and taking precautions as appropriate.

This email includes information from the health department on COVID-19 variants and the importance of vaccination and wearing a mask to control the spread. See below for details.

Also, below are a few other updates, meetings and events:

Fairfax County Government offices are closed Monday, July 5, in recognition of the Independence Day holiday on July 4. However, some facilities are open and schedules vary. For specific schedule information se the Fairfax County website here. 

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

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fairfax Health District is seeing some of the lowest levels of disease transmission. Much of this success is attributed to identifying and isolating individuals who are sick with COVID-19 and the on-going vaccination efforts targeting everyone 12 years of age and older.

For the week ending June 26, fewer than one percent of COVID-19 tests performed on county residents were positive and fewer than 10 cases occurred for every 100,000 people. These numbers indicate that the Fairfax Health District is experiencing a low level of community transmission as defined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This achievement reflects the contributions of residents across the county who have chosen to get vaccinated and who practice behaviors that help prevent the spread of disease, including staying home when sick and wearing masks when appropriate.

Despite this progress and the high rate of vaccination in the Fairfax Health District, still many adolescents and adults have not been vaccinated and children under 12 years old are too young to receive vaccine. This creates a risk for a new surge of infections, particularly with the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. Viruses, like COVID-19, constantly change as they spread from person-to-person. As the virus changes, or mutates, new variants of the virus occur allowing some variants to spread more easily, which can lead to more cases of COVID-19.

The greatest current threat is the Delta COVID-19 variant, which was first detected in India, and has been spreading in the US, now accounting for more than 1 in every 5 COVID-19 cases nationwide. While proportions are lower in Virginia and the Fairfax Health District, infections caused by this variant are likely to increase (see the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 Variants of Concern Dashboard). Studies do show that the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the US remain very effective against the Delta variant. Vaccination remains the best tool in preventing a Delta surge.

COVID-19 vaccine is available at locations throughout the Fairfax Health District, including private healthcare providers, pharmacies, grocery stores, urgent cares and the Health Department. To schedule a vaccination appointment, go to vaccines.gov for the widest selection of vaccination locations or visit the Health Department’s website.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in Fairfax County, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine or call 703-324-7404.

Because the Delta variant is more transmissible and may cause more severe disease, people who are not vaccinated should wear a face covering in all public settings and are encouraged to take precautions in accordance with CDC guidance for unvaccinated people.

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Health still recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated continue to practice physical distancing.

The Virginia Department of Health reminds Virginians that while vaccination is the best defense against COVID-19, masks are also an important tool to protect yourself and others.

Public health officials encourage Virginians to continue to wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and allowed by law. There is no legal barrier to wearing masks to protect oneself and others from the virus, nor should anyone be penalized for doing so. While the state law prohibits wearing a mask for the purpose of concealing one’s identity, it does not prohibit wearing a mask for the purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19. This is true even now that Virginia is no longer under a statewide declaration of emergency. 

For more information see the full VDH press release here.

Several new laws are in effect in Virginia and in Fairfax County beginning today, July 1. We’ve highlighted a few for you to be aware of (with Virginia House or Senate bill numbers in parentheses if you want to look up more details).

Drivers are required to change lanes when overtaking a bicycle or certain other vehicles when the travel lane is not wide enough to pass by at least 3 feet to the left. The limitations on riding bicycles and certain other vehicles two abreast is removed. (HB 2262).

Larger localities can adapt local parking requirements or ratios in comprehensive plan reviews when transit-oriented development is promoted. (HB 2054).

Localities can require the removal of clutter from property, or have it removed, charging the property owner for the removal. “Clutter” may include mechanical equipment, household furniture, containers, and similar items that may be detrimental to the well-being of a community when they are left in public view for an extended period or are allowed to accumulate. (HB 1778).

Requirements and guidelines outlined for virtual and in-person learning for public elementary and secondary schools, early childhood care and education programs. Mitigation strategies addressed to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (SB 1303).

Localities can establish green banks to promote investment and financing for clean energy technologies, including renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. (HB 1919).

Home cultivation and legal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana authorized. (HB 2312/SB 1406).

The Opioid Abatement Authority will ensure that funds from lawsuits against opioid makers and distributors are used to support addiction prevention and treatment. (HB 2322/SB 1469).

A person who has been convicted of assault and battery of a family or household member is prohibited from purchasing, possessing or transporting a firearm. (HB 1992).

New legislation (HB 1888 and SB 1245) makes several changes to voting processes, including:

Additional legislation permits:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can satisfy or earn exemptions from work and training requirements if they are enrolled in postsecondary education. (HB 1820).

The state-funded Kinship Guardianship Assistance program facilitates child placements with relatives, including fictive kin, to ensure permanency for children. (SB 1328).

Local departments of social services and licensed child-placing agencies are required to involve the child’s relatives and fictive kin in the development of a child’s foster care plan. (HB 1962).

For more information see the Virginia Division of Legislative Services summary here.

Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) detectives from across the county are investigating a series of stolen vehicle reports that have occurred since the beginning of June. These vehicles have primarily been stolen overnight, and it appears the suspects mainly entered unlocked vehicles with keys inside.

Detectives have also determined these suspects have used garage door openers or forced entry to gain access to at least three homes. In these incidents, the suspects entered the homes and stole personal belongings as well as vehicle keys. The suspects then proceeded to steal one or more vehicles from home.

Detectives have discovered commonalities with these vehicle thefts and are looking into the possibility of other related incidents. Some of these vehicles have been recovered in surrounding jurisdictions. The Criminal Investigation Sections from our district stations are working together, using visible and non-visible resources to help solve these crimes. FCPD officers and Neighborhood Patrol Units are conducting extra patrols and remain dedicated to keeping our community safe.

Here are a few ways to help and stay safe: 

Please be on the lookout for suspicious people, cars and noises. Do not hesitate to call our non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, to report suspicious activity or 911 for an emergency. 

If you have any information about these crimes, we encourage you to reach out to your local district station or submit your tip anonymously through Crime Solvers. Tips can be submitted by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and on the Crime Solvers website. Download the Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.  

For ongoing updates, see the Fairfax County Police Department blog and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.  

This month Captain Becker will present the “State of the Station” in collaboration with McLean Station Officers and Crime Analyst. 

National Night Out (NNO) will be held on Tuesday, August 3rd.  

Between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. neighbors, friends and families lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside together while maintaining appropriate social distancing. Community.

To register your community NNO event click here.

For more information on National Night Out or how to get your community involved please reach out to the crime prevention officer at your district polices station:

McLean District Station - Carolyn Beyer, Reston District Station - Katy Defoe

Join the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation for the 4th of July Hometown Celebration and Parade:

Activities include the Great Falls Trailblazers 5K Walk/Run, Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department INOVA Blood Drive, the Little Patriot Parade and More! For the full schedule, sign-up links and details visit the Celebrate Great Falls website here.

The Main Parade is at 10:00 am, starts on Columbine Road and proceeds around the Village Centre Green. See the fire trucks, floats, horses, antique cars and more making a loop in the Main Parade. Be sure to spot the winning floats for Best Neighborhood, Best Business and Best Organization!

After the parade, enjoy lemonade, pizza, snow-cones, and other treats, along with music, games, and festivities on the Village Centre Green with your Great Falls neighbors. There will be a special performance by local magician, The Great Zucchini, starting at 12:30pm, along with cool new Hometown Celebration merchandise for sale this year!

Pack up the family and come tailgate with your neighbors. Live music, games, contests and food trucks will entertain until the Big Show gets underway just after dusk.

This event is sponsored solely by individuals, groups, families, organizations, and businesses in Great Falls. For more information visit the Friends of the Fireworks website.

Join the Town of Herndon for a celebratory fireworks display:

Viewing opportunities at Bready Park, with access for parking and field seating opening no earlier than 8pm. There will be no food concessions or entertainment this year. 

In the case of inclement weather, the fireworks might be delayed or postponed until July 5. Call 703-435-6866 for weather updates that evening.

For more details, event tips, traffic and directions see the Town of Herndon website here.

Did you miss the document shredding event at Langley High School last month? County residents may use any of the document shredding events Fairfax County's Solid Waste Management Program runs throughout the County. Residents may securely shred up to five medium-size boxes of documents. Protect yourself from identity theft by destroying sensitive documents such as old tax forms, sales receipts, and other financial records that contain private information.

The events begin at 7 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m., or until all trucks reach capacity. All participants must be in line by no later than 11 a.m. to ensure service:

To see a full list of events throughout Fairfax County click here.

These residential collection events are open to Fairfax County and residents of the Clifton, Herndon, the Town of Vienna, and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. All events will feature four document shredding trucks and shredding will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Material from businesses will not be accepted. Other items that will not be accepted include plastic report covers, metal binder clips, floppy discs, CDs, newspapers, junk mail, film, and photographs. For more information on event procedures and prohibited materials visit the Document Shredding website.

Fairfax County is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below: