April 20, 2020
To My Hunter Mill District Neighbors:
As you have seen in media reports, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress on March 27. The $2 trillion+ economic relief package includes payments to local governments to cover necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020. The costs to our county related to the pandemic have been tremendous and the economic relief is most welcome, especially as we discuss the impacts on the FY 2021 Budget. According to the federal formula, the county should expect to receive approximately $200 million, including $2 million for the Town of Vienna. (Clifton and Herndon will also receive funding through the county’s allocation). More information is forthcoming and I will provide you with updates. If you want to learn more about CARES, here is the U.S. Department of Treasury
link
.
Mark your calendar for my next virtual budget town hall for Friday, April 24 at 12:30 p.m. We'll have a lunch time discussion on the
proposed FY 2021 budget
with Melanie Meren, the School Board member representing Hunter Mill District, as well as Christina Jackson, Director, Department of Management and Budget. T
he town hall will be
televised live on Channel 16 (Cox Channel 1016; Verizon/Comcast Channel 16),
streamed
, and on my
Facebook
page. There are several ways you can participate:
- Email your budget-related questions to huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov, please put "Town Hall" in subject line - you can send those questions beginning today through the town hall.
- Ask budget questions during the town hall on Facebook Live on comments.
- Participate by video during the town hall. Please email huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov by Thursday, April 23 at noon and put "Video Participant" in the subject line and my staff will contact you with next steps.
- You can also call in during the town hall - we will have that number for you in Wednesday's newsletter, as well as on social media.
Respectfully,
Walter
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Today's Updates (April 20)
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Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
Daily reported numbers for the Fairfax Health District are
here
. In addition, you can get information on COVID-19 cases throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia
here
.
Fighting COVID-19 on the Ground: The Call Center
The Health Department's call center is staffed by
40
public health nurses, school health aides and other trained medical professionals.
Learn more
about their work during COVID-19.
Spiritual Support by Phone Available for Older Adults
To provide support during these unique times, the Fairfax County Spiritual Support Team is now offering spiritual support by telephone for adults age 60 and over in our community.
Learn more.
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Embry Rucker Shelter Needs Masks/Sanitizer
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The Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston is in urgent need of donations of hand sanitizer and face coverings/masks for its homeless clients. If you can assist, t
here is a table set up in front of the building at 11975 Bowman Towne Drive in Reston (next to the library) to drop off donations. For other ways to help:
How to Help Your Neighbors in Need in Hunter Mill District
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- Call 9-1-1 if a situation is immediately life-threatening and ask for a crisis intervention trained officer.
- For emergency mental health services 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, call 703-573-5679, TTY 711. The Fairfax Detoxification Center can be also be reached 24/7 at 703-502-7000, TTY 711. The address of Merrifield Center, is 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax. If possible, please call ahead to Emergency Services to see if you can be seen via telehealth services – phone or video.
- Take a brief confidential online mental health screening, which is also available in Spanish, for results, recommendations and key resources.
- If it is not an emergency situation, but you or someone you care about needs mental health services, call our Entry & Referral Services during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 703-383-8500, TTY 711. Staff can take calls in English and Spanish and can access interpreters for other languages when needed.
- Youth and adults can also come in person, without prior appointment, to Entry & Referral Services at the CSB’s Merrifield Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to be screened for services.
- The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, in partnership with PRS CrisisLink, offers a suicide prevention text line in Fairfax. Anyone can text “CONNECT” to 855-11, and a PRS CrisisLink volunteer will respond within minutes. You can also call 703-527-4077 any time, 24/7.
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Small Business
Apply for Small Business Microloan Program beginning April 28.
Fairfax County is offering a $2.5 Million fund to support small business recovery. Along with the Federal CARES programs, the Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund and associated counseling will help our business community with needed relief.
Learn more
.
Updated Information for Businesses Impacted by the Coronavirus
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
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. 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
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
- 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.
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:
Public Safety
Fire Department
Reminds Businesses To Maintain Clear Access To All Exits
During the pandemic, businesses are rightfully taking a variety of safety measures to maintain physical distancing and reduce exposures. However, the county's Fire and Rescue Department is receiving messages of concern that exits are often being blocked, locked or otherwise restricted while the store is occupied.
Learn more
.
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
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.
Metro to Close Additional 17 Stations and Selected Entrances
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
.
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