As we welcome in the new year, we are all anxious to know more about the COVID-19 vaccines. This email includes information from Governor Northam's office following the COVID-19 response and vaccine distribution briefing he held yesterday. I have also included information from the Virginia Department of Health on a COVID-19 vaccine virtual discussion tomorrow with the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci. I will continue to share information as it becomes available and I encourage everyone to check the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine website for general vaccine information and updates.

This email includes information on a survey to collect input from the community on the search for the next chief of police, and several public meetings including; the virtual General Assembly Delegation’s Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing, DRPT and Maryland DOT's American Legion Bridge Transit Study Public Meeting, the Fairfax County DOT Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) meeting series, and the Fairfax County Park Authority proposed fee adjustments public meeting and comment period. In addition, join the McLean Community Center for 3 ways to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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

Yesterday Governor Ralph Northam announced new actions to support the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution program and accelerate the pace of vaccinations across Virginia.

Governor Northam is taking the following steps to help providers increase the rate of vaccinations as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible:

“Getting Virginians vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to end this pandemic, rebuild our economy, and move our Commonwealth forward,” said Governor Northam. “By setting clear goals and appointing Dr. Avula to spearhead our vaccination program, we will have a clear vision of how this effort—the largest public vaccination campaign in modern history—is progressing. I plan to get vaccinated when my turn comes, and I encourage Virginians to do the same.”

Governor Northam also announced the next priority populations to receive vaccinations, based in part on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommendations form the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The Virginia Department of Health is developing an online portal to help people understand how to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Group B includes frontline essential workers in specific industries, K-12 teachers and staff, childcare providers, adults age 75 and older, and people living in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps. Additional information about Group B, which is expected to start near the end of January, is available here.

Group C includes other essential workers, adults age 65 and older, and people age 16-64 with certain medical conditions or disabilities that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Additional information about Group C is available here.

Read the Governor's full press release here.

For the latest information on vaccines in Fairfax County, visit the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine Website.

Phase 1A (health care personnel and long-term care facility residents) are currently being vaccinated.

As vaccine availability increases, recommendations will expand to include more groups, and eventually the entire population. Although not everyone will be able to be vaccinated right away, but the goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine soon. Learn more about what to expect when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.

If you have questions about COVID-19, you can contact the Fairfax County Health Department:

Fairfax County is conducting a nationwide search for the next chief of police. The county has engaged a search firm to assist with the search, including community outreach efforts to help identify key characteristics, skills, traits and issues to consider. In addition to the survey below, the county will host focus groups with key community organizations as part of the search process.

All residents and business owners are encouraged to take the survey, which will be open through Friday, January 8.

For more information see the full announcement posted here.

The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2021 session on Saturday, January 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will be held virtually. Fairfax County is assisting with the logistics of the delegation’s event. Fairfax County residents who want to sign up to speak at the hearing should register online in advance using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by 5pm on Wednesday, January 6. There will be no sign ups on the day of the event. Additional guidelines for those interested in speaking at the public forum and more information on the public hearing can be found here.

Further information on the public hearing is available from members of the Fairfax County legislative delegation. Contact information for individual delegation members is available on the Virginia General Assembly web page here.

The Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) have compiled the findings and recommendations for the I-495 American Legion Bridge Transit and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) study. The agencies will host a Virtual Public Meeting on January 12, to provide a full briefing on recommendations, answer questions, and accept live public comment. The Draft Recommendations can be previewed on the DRPT website, and the public comment period is open through February 1, 2021. 

DRPT and MDOT-MTA have jointly managed and funded the study. The overall goals are to prioritize transit options and transportation demand management strategies that address bi-state travel across the American Legion Bridge.

Provide public comment at the conclusion of the presentation 

For more information visit the DRPT I-495/American Legion Bridge Transit and TDM Study website here.

Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) continually evaluates bus service on Fairfax Connector to ensure responsiveness to the needs of the public. A key component of creating a bus system that works for everyone is specific feedback FCDOT receives from county residents. Community input informs service improvement recommendations developed by planning staff and leads to better decision-making for providing better access to destinations, improving travel times, increasing schedule reliability, and increasing overall service.

FCDOT is beginning outreach on the ten-year Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) and we want to hear from Fairfax County residents at three upcoming, online community input meetings and through an online survey. The TSP is a county-wide review of bus service and a plan for future service. FCDOT encourages residents to engage and share their ideas and concerns for the future of the Fairfax Connector bus system.

The TSP incorporates outreach results from short-term, sub-area studies that are being conducted in:

Upcoming Online Community Input Meetings via WebEx. First-time WebEx users should review the Virtual Meeting Instructions.

Or join by phone 1-844-621-3956 (access number: 179 943 5257)

Or join by phone 1-844-621-3956 (access number: 179 476 2750)

Meeting Link

Or join by phone 1-844-621-3956(access number: 179 121 9785)

Public comments will be accepted until February 19, 2021.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has scheduled its annual community comment meeting on the agency’s proposed fee adjustments. The public is invited to share their perspectives on the proposals with the Park Authority Board either at the meeting, via correspondence or by email. This year’s meeting will take place on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 at 5 p.m. It will be held virtually.

Information outlining all proposed fee changes and how to attend the virtual public meeting is available for review online here.

The public meeting agenda includes a brief overview of the fee process followed by an opportunity for public comment. If you wish to sign up to speak in advance, please contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or via parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. You need not register in advance to speak. Individuals may speak for three minutes and organizations will be allotted five minutes. Each organization may have one five-minute speaker.

The meeting will be available for public viewing. For information on how to join via computer or phone, visit the fee meeting webpage here. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662; or send an email to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Join the McLean Community Center for three distinct virtual programs that celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For more information, visit the Mclean Community Center website here.

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