June 4, 2021
To the Fairfax County Community,

I'm sure by now you have seen (or at least heard) our 17 year cicadas. I certainly haven't taken any calls outside because of the sound.

It's been fun to see the creativity of people across the County making the best of an odd phenomenon after such a stressful year. VisitFairfax has been celebrating with Cicada Bingo and Fairfax County Health Department's entomologist by day, hip hop artist by night, MC Bugg-Z (Adam Lima) self-produced a rap and video about Brood-X cicadas. You can watch the video here.

Below, I included photos of the kids of two of my staffers with some of our cicada visitors.
Regional COVID-19 Remembrance Event
  • Next Wednesday, June 9 at 6 pm, Fairfax County will be hosting the Northern Virginia Regional Commission’s COVID-19 Remembrance Ceremony on the Fairfax County Government Center Ellipse.
  • The ceremony will honor and remember the more than 2,300 lives lost due to COVID-19 in the 13 jurisdictions that make up the Regional Commission. 
  • A display of small flags will also be placed on the Ellipse lawn.
  • The public is encouraged to view the ceremony online.
  • It will be televised on Fairfax County Government Channel 1016 (Cox) and Channel 16 (Verizon/Comcast).
  • Streamed at: fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer/channel-16/live-video-stream and my Facebook page.
  • Learn more here.
Democratic Primary
  • Friday and Saturday are the last days to vote early in the Democratic primary. Election Day is June 8.
  • As a reminder, there are three ways to vote:
  • 1. Vote in person early at 16 sites across the County. Learn more here.
  • 2. Voting by mail:
  • If you have already requested a mail in ballot and wish to return it by mail, it must be postmarked before 7 pm on Election Day and received by the Office of Elections by noon the following Friday.
  • You may also return a ballot to a drop box at any early voting location during the hours of operation, at any voting precinct on Election Day during the hours of operation, or to the drop box at the Fairfax County Government Center 24/7.
  • For returning before Election Day read more here, for returning on Election Day read more here.
  • 3. In person on Election Day.
  • The Republican Party chose not to hold a primary this year and has already selected their statewide party nominees for the 2021 general elections.
Sick Birds
  • The Fairfax County Animal Protection Police and Wildlife Management Office have received an increased number of reports for sick and dead birds throughout Fairfax County. Other agencies and localities across the region and state are reporting similar issues.
  • Many of the reports have included common grackles and blue jays, but other species have been documented within Fairfax County as well.
  • The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is actively investigating this issue.
  • If you find a sick or injured bird on your property, please contact the Animal Protection Police through the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.
  • We are asking residents that find dead birds on their property to dispose of the birds promptly using the following guidance:
  • Wear gloves and avoid direct contact with the birds.
  • Invert a bag over your hand, pick up the bird, and then pull the bag over the bird, tying with a knot at the top.
  • Place this bag in a second bag (double bag) and seal for disposal.
  • Dispose of the bird in a trash receptacle outside of the home.
  • Trash receptacles should be secured so that children, pets and wild animals do not have access to them.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after disposal.
  • The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has also created a bird reporting form where people can report dead birds, including Fairfax County and other jurisdictions. This reporting form is only for dead birds and will help keep track of the numbers that can be shared with the localities and the Department of Wildlife Resources. Sick or injured birds that are still alive should be called in to the Animal Protection Police through the police non-emergency number. See the form here.
Public Information Sessions
  • Dominion Idylwood Substation rebuild:
  • A virtual hearing on Dominion’s Idylwood substation rebuild. Learn about the project here.
  • When: Thursday, June 10 at 7 pm.
  • Register to speak for case PUR-2017-00002 by June 8 here or complete and email this form.
  • Fairfax County Police Department Police Pursuant Policy:
  • The Police Department is holding a virtual town-hall to collect community feedback on proposed revisions to their policy on vehicle pursuits.
  • When: Thursday, June 10 at 7 pm
  • View the policy presentation to the Board here.
  • Join the meeting here.
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority:
  • WMATA has applied for a permit regarding Silver Line Phase II and Dulles Rail Yard. The applicant proposes to release industrial storm water at variable rates (million gallons per day) into numerous water bodies.
  • How to Comment: The Department of Environmental Quality accepts comments and requests for public hearing by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period (through June 28).
  • Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester.
  • A request for public hearing must also include: 1) The reason why a public hearing is requested. 2) A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requester, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit. 3) Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions.
  • A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit.
  • Mail: DEQ-Northern Regional Office, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193
  • Contact for comments and information: Susan Mackert: 703.583.3853, susan.mackert@deq.virginia.gov
Health
Vaccine Resources:


Common Health Questions:

  • People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. You might experience:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Follow mitigation practices:
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if that isn't an option (especially when in public places)
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance
  • Wear a mask (Which is required in Virginia.)
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • If interacting with others outside of your household, being outside is safer than inside. You can make your home safer by increasing ventilation and filtration.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) speaks with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

COVID-19 Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
Sincerely,
Jeff McKay
Contact my Office

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov
| 703.324.2321 |