What is Working and What is Not

Your Voice in Fairfax County

April 23rd, 2020

In This Issue...

What is Working and What is Not- With so much happening at every level of government and in your own lives, I wanted to take some time to share with you where I've seen the County's best response to the pandemic has been and where its response can improve, and to get your feedback. Our County's champions have been our first responders, the efforts of the Community Provider Coordinating Team (CPCT) who has been serving our residents greatest needs, and the many departments like Planning and Zoning that are doing their best to keep business moving in the County. While the County has worked hard to remain open, there are some services that have room for improvement, including online learning, yard waste collection, and access to local parks.
Budget Public Hearings- Unfortunately, we will not be holding live in person budget public hearings, but residents will be provided the opportunity to address the Board while in virtual session via telephone, video or by sending in an email. It is important that residents take the time to weigh in on the impact of the budget to them. Please see below for more information.
Additional Density Could be Coming to Your Neighborhood- As part of its Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) project, Fairfax County is looking for feedback on two zoning uses that are allowed in a dwelling - accessory dwelling units (ADU) and home-based businesses. As I stated in prior newsletters, I have concerns with the lifting of restrictions on ADUs and the resulting impact on increased density our neighborhoods. Please be sure to complete the survey I reference to below.
INOVA COVID19 Update- Below you can learn about new respiratory clinics, testing, and other actions by INOVA and what you can do to help.
Other Helpful News and Information

NOVA to Offer Free Classes to High School Seniors and Rising Juniors
Virginia 30 Day Fund
Fairfax County Microloan Program
Fairfax High School Robotics Student Makes Huge Contribution of PPE for First Responders
On the Lighter Side

What is Working and What is Not

With so much happening at every level of government and in your own lives, I wanted to take some time to share with you where I've seen the County's best responses to the pandemic and where its responses can improve. I would also like to hear your thoughts. The County has worked hard to remain open and continue providing both essential and non-essential services. Our County's champions have been our first responders, and the Community Provider Coordinating Team (CPCT) who has been serving our residents greatest needs. Here are highlights from these groups as well as other areas that are working:

Police - In addition to continuing patrol, the FCPD has made efforts to provide as much community engagement as possible within social distancing guidelines. In order to maintain a high level of customer service, the FCPD made enhancements to the department's Community Reporting System. The system has been made available 24 hours a day for reporting crimes. For more information, see here. The West Springfield Station even hosted a Zoom meeting with community members to answer questions related to COVID-19. You can watch it here.

Operation COVID-Crackdown.- Just this week detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department Major Crimes and Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureaus announced the arrest of 30 men as child sexual predators during 'Operation COVID Crackdown'. The men, who ranged in age from 20 to 74, were charged with a combined 68 felonies.

As the Country struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, our men and women in blue continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure Fairfax County remains the safest jurisdiction of its size in the Country. As we move forward in budget season, the Board of Supervisor must find a way to say thank you and compensate our police officers and other essential employees who are taking additional risks in order to keep our residents safe. Please join me in thanking the personnel who were involved in this sting and so many other law enforcement officers who continue to put our safety above their own.

You can read the Fairfax County Police Department Press Release here.

You can find internet safety tips and information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children here.

Fire -Like our police, our firefighters and paramedics have tirelessly continued at full staff at all 38 stations. They've continued to respond to emergencies and have also gone the extra mile to spread some joy and comfort in our community. See how Station 24 made birthday here.9-1-1 Operators: Our public safety communicators have also been hard at work, taking on longer shifts in order to reduce movement in and out of the call center.
Community Provider Coordinating Team (CPCT) - The CPCT is a county/community provider team created to help coordinate the vast network of community providers around operational awareness, with the primary goal of identifying and solving service delivery gaps. Five subcommittees have been created: food access, health access, financial assistance, transportation and out of school time/youth programming. They work together to identify needs and direct resources to those needs, whether it be through the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, Volunteer Fairfax, or the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Job Reassignment - For those County employees who are unable to work remotely, the County is diverting them to serve in other roles to meet immediate needs. Neighborhood and Community Services has redirected many of their staff to serve the most pressing needs in our community, especially food deliveries to vulnerable residents. Many County employees, including employees from SACC, Parks and Recreation, and community centers, who are unable to work remotely are also being redirected toward work that will serve immediate community needs. With Pandemic leave ending Friday, many more employees may need to be redirected.
Planning and Zoning - Our zoning and permitting staff continues to move forward with virtual inspections and processing land use applications so that building projects can stay on schedule and be ready when things return to normal.
Tax Department - The Department of Tax Administration continues to help those applying for tax relief over the phone. We will be scheduling a tax relief workshop in the West Springfield Government Center once things return to normal. This date has yet to be scheduled. The Board extended the deadline to apply for personal and property tax relief to June 1^st.
Department of Economic Initiatives Working to Help Businesses - As I discussed in my previous newsletter, small businesses in Fairfax County have been hit hard by the pandemic. The DEI is working to prepare for the initial applications of the approved microloan program for Fairfax County businesses in addition to providing many resources, including counseling on Federal assistance through the Community Business Partnership. See more here.
Michael Frey Animal Shelter Adoptions - The animal shelter has continued to operate, and adoptions are at a high, which means there are few animals left at the shelter.
Other Unsung Heroes - There are far too many for me to list, however, you should be aware of the countless employees who are working every day on behalf of the residents of Fairfax County. Some of these employees work in a communications role and are working around the clock to make sure community members have the latest COVID-19 information available to them. Other unsung heroes include the County's administrative and IT staff who ensure that the Board can continue to conduct business and provide opportunities for constituent input. I would also be remiss if I did not thank and acknowledge our sanitation staff that is working to keep a clean environment for those who cannot work remotely. Thank you to those staffers and for anyone I may have missed.
Summer Concert Series - While much of what the County has been doing has been preparing to avoid the worst, the Park Foundation has been preparing in case there is a way for us to begin transitioning back to normal life this summer with the annual Summer Concert Series at Burke Lake Park. Our hope is that the series will still run every Wednesday night at 7-8:30 pm from July 8^th through August 19^th.

While there are many areas the County is working hard to provide great service for our residents, there are a few areas I'm hopeful to see some improvement.

Access to more public outdoor spaces - Although State parks remain open, our local parks have shut their gates to residents further limiting where our residents can go during this difficult time. With mental health and morale at a low, we need to be allowing people more opportunities to use outdoor spaces. This includes opening parks (as well as opening high school tracks during certain hours) for residents to use for exercise and mental wellness. People can continue to social distance and wear face masks while enjoying some fresh air and exercise. The following is a quote from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the use of parks, trails, and open spaces that I wholeheartedly agree with: "Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. In many areas, people can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with others." I have been encouraging the Park Authority to get creative and reopen its parking lots, golf courses, and garden plots where social distancing can be observed. With our park system remaining closed for use of open space, please remember to drive safely in our neighborhoods as many small children are outside at play and on bikes.
Farmer's Markets - I have also been encouraging staff to find creative ways to reopen the Farmer's Markets online with delivery or preorder with pickup as other jurisdictions in our area have successfully done. This is possible with some creativity.
Yard waste/Glass collection- Many of you have reached out to me about issues with disposing your yard waste from spring landscaping. The County, as well as some private haulers (Republic) stopped collecting curbside yard waste when the County suspended the requirement for haulers to collect yard waste separately from household trash. Other private haulers (American ) have continued to collect yard waste. This has resulted an increase in the amount of illegal dumping , a burden on our residents and significant lines at the I-66 transfer station and I-95 landfill sites that are still taking yard waste. The County's glass recycling purple bin program was also suspended due to staffing issues, creating another need for residents to go to the I-95 and I-66 Transfer Stations. Once the Pandemic Administrative Leave is exhausted this Friday, I'm hopeful that more employees will return to Solid Waste and we will be able to resume yard waste collection and then glass recycling.
Online Learning - With as much money as the County has invested in enhanced technology for FCPS over the years, it's a disappointment and embarrassment that the school system's online learning attempts were a complete failure after six weeks of preparation. I know many teachers and children, not to mention parents, were looking forward to the start of online learning as a return to some kind of normalcy. This disaster falls squarely on the school administrators who did not prepare teachers and didn't test their technology. While the initial FCPS plans were a failure, the effort by our teachers was not. Thank you to the many teachers that have figured out a way to make the instruction work despite a lack of support from the administration. I've spoken to several of our School Board members about engaging our tech community to help them come up with a better online learning plan, review the implementation plans and recommend testing. We must look at the successes of other school systems that have been conducting school over the last six weeks and emulate their successes. If there isn't a 100 percent solution, we should move forward with a 90 percent solution and work hard to fix the remaining 10 percent. We need to find a better way to support our teachers who just want to teach and our students who need to learn. There will be time after this is over to find out what happened and make permanent. changes.

These are difficult times. Please let me know where you see the county performing well or areas where it needs to improve.

Budget Public Hearings

Unfortunately, we will not be holding live in person budget public hearings, but residents will be provided the opportunity to address the Board while in virtual session via telephone, video or by sending in an email. It is important that residents take the time to weigh in on the impact of the budget to them. The budget public hearings will take place on April 28-30th.

You can provide feedback online with written testimony, by phone, and through video submissions. For more information on how you can participate, you can visit here.

The Board will vote to adopt a budget on May 12th and will adopt the FY 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program in June. You can view the full budget timeline here.

Additional Density Could be Coming to Your Neighborhood

As part of its Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) project, Fairfax County is looking for feedback on two zoning uses that are allowed in a dwelling - accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and home-based businesses. The proposed ADU regulations would eliminate the current restrictions on the number of ADUs in our neighborhoods. The County is also looking at ways to consolidate the different types of home-based businesses. Under current regulations, processes and regulations vary by business type. You can learn more about both of proposals here. Please be sure to take both surveys .

As I stated in my February 6th Herrity Report, while I support easing the requirements for ADUs with the current age and disability restrictions, I oppose eliminating these restrictions. Removal of these restrictions would give most residential housing the ability to add an additional dwelling unit and has the potential to significantly increase the density in our residential neighborhoods.

Update from Inova

General Information on Inova's preparedness for COVID-19

All Inova hospitals and care sites are open and serving patients. The most up to date information on Inova's response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at inova.org/covid19. Inova's team of clinical experts is up-to-date on developments and CDC guidelines, and has developed a comprehensive response plan to maintain the safety and well-being of our community.

What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

Seek advice from your regular healthcare provider to determine if a medical evaluation is needed;
If you feel it is an emergency, contact a local urgent care center, Respiratory Illness Clinic, or emergency room. Ask for instructions regarding accessing the facility;
Practice "social distancing" by avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible;
If you are experiencing a fever or symptoms of respiratory infection, such as cough or difficulty breathing, or had exposure to a COVID-19 patient and traveled to a high-risk area classified by the CDC, please contact Inova at 855-IMG-DOCS so we can assist you and arrange a clinic appointment if needed. Unless it is an emergency, please do not show up at an Inova site for COVID-19 screening without calling ahead.

Is COVID-19 testing available through Inova?

Yes, testing is available across Inova Health System based on clinical criteria outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virginia Department of Health.

Inova has established Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. These clinics will also be able to collect samples via physician ordered and coordinated vehicle-side appointments for COVID-19 testing.

Please see the following updated hours and status for Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics and Urgent Care Centers:

Inova Urgent Care Centers at Dulles South, Tysons and North Arlington are operating as Respiratory Illness Clinics and only evaluating patients with respiratory illness symptoms.

Tysons Respiratory Illness Clinic is operating 7-days per week, from 8AM-8PM.
Dulles South and North Arlington Respiratory Illness Clinics are operating Monday-Friday from 8AM-8PM.

NEW: Beginning Monday, April 20, Inova Primary Care - Old Town Alexandria will operate as a Respiratory Illness Clinic *by appointment only* Monday-Friday from 1PM-4:30PM. To schedule a respiratory evaluation at the Old Town office, patients should call (703) 683-7220
Our Respiratory Illness Clinics are able to collect samples via physicianordered and coordinated vehicle-side appointments for COVID-19 testing, as well as screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms.For more information, visit this link.
All other Inova Urgent Care Locations are seeing non-respiratory patients only. For addresses and hours, visit this link.

Before visiting any Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, take the following steps:

1. Contact your regular physician for evaluation. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS.

2. Your regular physician should evaluate your symptoms to determine if testing is needed based on COVID-19 testing criteria, provide a testing order, and coordinate your referral to the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic for evaluation.

3. Upon arrival at the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, a clinician will greet the patient at their vehicle to collect samples for a physician-ordered test, or escort the patient into the respiratory clinic for evaluation.

4. For patients who undergo COVID-19 testing, an Inova nurse will contact those whose results are negative. For patients with positive results, an Inova nurse will coordinate with the patient's regular physician for notification and further instructions. Patients who are tested can expect results in roughly 4-7 days.

5. More information can be found following this link. Addresses and contact information for the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics are as follows:

Inova Urgent Care - Tysons (8AM-8PM, 7 days a week)
8357 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
571-665-6440

Inova Urgent Care - Dulles South (8AM-8PM, Monday-Friday)
24801 Pinebrook Rd. #110
Chantilly, VA 20152
703-722-2500

Inova Urgent Care - N. Arlington (8AM-8PM, Monday-Friday)
4600 Lee Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22207
571-492-3080

Inova Primary Care - Old Town Alexandria (By Appointment Only, 1:00-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday)
325 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-7220

Is it safe to go to the Emergency Room right now?

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please visit the ER or call 911 immediately. Delaying treatment can be a dangerous decision, especially when it comes to signs of a heart attack or stroke. Inova Emergency Rooms have taken precautions to provide a safe environment for all our patients - including screening processes and separate areas for those suspected of having COVID-19.

Find your nearest Inova ER here » https://www.inova.org/our-services/inova-emergency-services

How can the public help Inova during this time?

Community Donations : Individuals and businesses across our region have been extremely generous in offers for support, small and large. Inova has established a centralized online resource for opportunities for community support at www.inova.org/icanhelp.

Blood Donation : Additionally, Inova Blood Donor Services has experienced great community support, however the need for blood is continual and the supply changes daily depending on collections and patient needs. Donated blood has a shelf life of 42 days and donated platelets have a shelf life of 5 days.

Inova Blood Donor Services needs donors to sign up now for an appointment to donate blood during the next six weeks at a Donor Center location. Inova Blood Donor Services has implemented extra precautions to protect donors - it is safe to give blood, and your donation will save a life. Make an appointment at www.inovablood.org or 800-BLOOD-SAVES.

Blood plasma research from those who have recovered from COVID-19 : Finally, Inova Health System is looking for individuals recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma (colorless fluid part of blood) for a research study. Your donated plasma contains immunoglobulins (immune protection) and this study will use your plasma to help patients currently sick with COVID-19 disease. More information can be found on the COVID-19 Research page.

Visitation

Inova Health System has suspended all in-person visitation and is encouraging video meetings between patients and loved ones. Understanding that a family member, caregiver or visitor may be crucial for clinical and patient care, exceptions to Inova's Visitation Guidance can be made in extenuating circumstances.

For more information, visit Inova's visitation policy webpage.

Telemedicine

With the philosophy of trying to limit risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19, and to help our clinicians with greater flexibility to safely treat our patients, Inova has adopted a system-wide initiative that will allow patients to receive a wider range of healthcare services without having to travel to an Inova healthcare facility.

Inova offers the option for appointments to be conducted via telemedicine (video or phone), with flexibility to meet in person if a clinician determines necessary.

How can I protect myself?

The best way to protect yourself and your community against the spread of COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus by:

· Practicing good hand hygiene,

· Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the using the inside of your elbow,

· Avoiding close contact with people who are sick , and practicing social distancing of six feet or more,

· Cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly, and

· Staying home if you feel sick.

For more information on how to protect yourself, visit www.cdc.gov or www.vdh.virginia.gov.

Other Helpful News and Information

NOVA to Offer Free Classes to High School Seniors and Rising Juniors

NOVA is using Federal stimulus dollars to launch a new summer schedule of tuition-free online classes for approximately 70,000 qualified Northern Virginia high school students. This program, JumpStart, is an opportunity for rising seniors through graduating seniors to "jump start" their summers and earn college credit by attending up to two online courses that will run from June 1 to July 15.

The online courses have been selected because they fulfill not only NOVA degree requirements but also transfer to most colleges and universities. Also, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, the JumpStart offerings will include an online course in Cloud Computing, providing students with their first step onto an in-demand local tech pathway. You can find more information

here .

Virginia 30 Day Fund

A local businessman, Pete Snyder, has created a non-profit to help Virginia's small businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia 30 Day Fund provides forgivable loans for Virginia-based small businesses. The loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding. You can find more information or donate here.

Fairfax County Microloan Program

Fairfax County unveiled a $2.5 million fund to support small business recovery through microloans and counseling. The Fairfax County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund will provide eligible businesses up to $20,000 at 0% interest that can be used for critical operating expenses to offset some of the impacts of the shutdown. It will also assist businesses in identifying optimal federal or local programs where additional relief may be available. Applications will be accepted starting April 28th. You can find more information here.

Fairfax High School Robotics Student Makes Huge Contribution of PPE for First Responders

Last summer, I met with a group of bright Robotics students started through Fairfax High School student, Aashray Manchanda. Now, Aashray is using his time at home to connect health care workers and first responders with PPE through his 'Hack the Pandemic' campaign. Aashray and one of his friends in New York created Hack the Pandemic to organize homemade mask manufacturer on a larger scale. He and others who have gotten involved are using 3D printers, sewing machines, and more to make masks that are collected at a single location so first responders can collect them in bulk. To date, they've organized the making and donation of over 1,600 masks in New York and over 250 face shields across the DMV. Their efforts through Hack the Pandemic have made such an impact, they were even featured in an ABC7 story. If you're interested in helping to make or deliver masks, you can visit Hack the Pandemic online or contact Aashray and his team at [email protected] . You can also contribute to their GoFundMe page so he can continue to buy filament for 3D printing face shield frames, plastic film to complete the face shields and cloth to sew face masks.

On the Lighter Side

Jason Gray, an opinion columnist with the Wall Street Journal, weighed in on the debate to reopen America from a dog and cat's point of view. You can read his entire piece here.