As we head into the holiday weekend, I wish you and your family safe, healthy, and happy holidays. Fairfax County Government offices officially close at noon on Thursday, December 24, and will be closed all day on Friday, December 25, for the Christmas holiday. Offices will also be closed on Friday, January 1, for the New Year’s holiday. However, some facilities are open and schedules may vary, see the operating status page or the Christmas and New Years Holiday Schedule page.

This email includes information on the COVID-19 vaccines, recording of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) December 16 virtual town hall, and the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine website. This email also includes information on 'Lights Up for Healthcare Heroes' campaign, an update from Dranesville District School Board Representative Elaine Tholen, and a recent press release from WMATA on MetroBus operational changes effective January 3. Also, the Park Authority is undertaking a pickleball feasibility study and seeking input, see below for details and link to the online survey. Fairfax County Public Library's quarterly Branch Out magazine has some ideas for safer-at-home activities to get us through the cold winter months, see below for details.

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

Virginia is expected to receive an estimated total of 480,000 doses of vaccine from the two manufacturers before the end of the year which will be distributed to all jurisdictions, consistent with Virginia Department of Health vaccination priorities, first to health care personnel and long-term care facility residents as the initial priority group.

The COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, have been carefully reviewed and authorized for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These vaccines at first will be distributed to Fairfax County in limited quantities with supply increasing over time. The most important thing to know is that both vaccines are effective and safe to receive.

We know that many people are eager to get the vaccine as soon as it is available for them while others still may have questions or be concerned about vaccination. Wanting to learn more is natural and the Health Department would like to be a partner with you as you search for more information so that you can make the best decision for yourself, your family and your community. As always, talking with your trusted healthcare provider is also a good way to get more information.

There are many similarities between the two vaccines including the technology used (they are both mRNA vaccines), and the safety and efficacy found in the large clinical trials that were done for each vaccine. Here are answers to some of the key questions:

While it seems that these vaccines were developed quickly, in fact, the mRNA vaccine technology has been studied over many years. When the pandemic occurred, this technology was ready to apply to the new coronavirus. The types of studies, their scientific rigor, and the number of people included is similar to that for other licensed vaccines. And the independent and government scientific reviews were just as careful. No steps were skipped or corners cut.

Information about vaccine reactions and side effects is collected in all the studies and carefully analyzed before a vaccine is approved. The COVID-19 vaccines often cause pain and redness at the site where the shot is given and, in a smaller number of people may cause headache, muscle aches and tiredness for one or a couple days. These are normal reactions that go along with your body responding to the vaccine. Serious side effects were not found with either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine. To identify any rare side effects that may occur, scientists will be collecting and analyzing information from people who are vaccinated, called “safety surveillance”, just as they do for any other new vaccine. While we are always learning more, based on everything we know now, the benefits of vaccinated in protecting people against COVID-19 are far greater than the risks.

Both vaccines will be free to the public. Doctors may bill insurance for costs of administering the vaccine but if you don’t have insurance, there will be no cost.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses. Pfizer’s booster shot will be given three weeks after the first one; Moderna’s is four weeks after the first one.

The Pfizer vaccine was authorized for use in people 16 years of age and older. While the company is now studying its use in adolescents aged 12 to 15, data from that work were not part of the company’s application to the FDA for an emergency use authorization. So for now, the vaccine isn’t authorized for use in anyone below the age of 16 for Pfizer, 18 for Moderna.

Pfizer had approximately 43,000 participants in its trial, half of whom received vaccine and half who received a placebo. They found a 95% efficacy rate in preventing COVID-19 illness and vaccine was effective across all ages, genders and racial and ethnic groups included in the study.

Moderna had approximately 30,000 participants in its trial with a 94.1% efficacy rate. It was also effective across all ages, genders and racial and ethnic groups tested.

These trial methods and the number of people included are normal and were conducted in a similar manner to other vaccine and drug testing.

Initially, Pfizer has estimated that there will be approximately 50 million doses available across the U.S. by the end of 2020. Moderna has estimated that there will be approximately 15 million doses available in the same time period although changes may occur to these projected numbers.

For more information check the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine website here.

Healthcare heroes across Virginia have been fighting this virus for 9 months—doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, aids, and support staff. They are weary from the physical and emotional toll of what they see every day.

HCA Virginia will launch a see the support and gratitude from our communities and our colleagues. As they drive to or from their shift, the holiday lights will express support to our healthcare heroes.

HCA Virginia is asking residents, business, and community to keep their holiday lights up through January 31 to recognize those working in healthcare.

Dranesville District School Board Representative, Elaine Tholen shares several important FCPS updates in her December Newsletter, available online here.

Metrobus will resume fare collection and front-door boarding beginning Sunday, January 3, as part of Metro's pandemic recovery plan that aims to preserve service and transit jobs.

The current rear-door boarding policy was implemented in March under Metro’s comprehensive plan to protect frontline employees at a time when less was known about the coronavirus and its means of transmission. Because the farebox and SmarTrip equipment is located at the front of the bus, the Metro Board authorized the temporary suspension of fare collection.

"With everyone wearing masks, shields for operators on every bus, and enhanced daily cleanings, front-door boarding is safe, expands our capacity for more riders, and helps us resume some normalcy," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "We also need to collect fares from every rider to keep essential Metro transit employees working and continue to provide essential service."

Beginning January 3, customers should board at the front of the bus. The cost per trip is $2 payable in cash or with SmarTrip. Customers can save considerably by purchasing a 7-day bus pass for just $15, providing an unlimited number of bus trips on a Metrobus, RideOn, ART, DASH, Fairfax Connector, and The Bus.

For a faster, contactless way to pay, customers can add SmarTrip passes to their Apple Wallet and then pay using iPhone or Apple Watch. Simply hold the mobile device over the SmarTrip target, just as you would a SmarTrip card. To get started, download the SmarTrip app from the App Store. Payment support for Google Wallet on Android devices is coming soon.

The return of front-door boarding and fare collection is consistent with recovery efforts by major transit agencies across the country including Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Houston, Portland, Oakland and San Francisco.

This press release and more information is available on the WMATA website here.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) seeks the public’s input on how to provide for the emerging sport of pickleball and invites participation in an online survey. The survey will be open through January 24, 2021.

County agencies have received numerous requests from the public to provide additional pickleball facilities within its parks, RECenters and community centers. In response to these requests and the growing interest in this sport, the Park Authority has initiated a pickleball feasibility study. The study will determine how to equitably address the desire for pickleball, identify sites for potential improvements to existing courts or new facilities, and develop siting criteria and design guidance to be considered when selecting and constructing pickleball amenities.

More information may be found on the Park Authority’s Pickleball Study webpage here.

To find a place to play pickleball in a Park Authority park, please visit the FCPA Park Locator online map here.

General comments and questions may also be sent via email to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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