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Aug. 18, 2021

Neighbors,
Back in the early spring when I got vaccinated and took this photo, I was hopeful that we wouldn't have much to talk about regarding the pandemic as we moved into the fall. However, the delta variant and other factors have made it clear that COVID-19 and its impact on our daily lives will continue on for now.

The good news is that there are positive actions we can take and I encourage everyone to:
  • Get vaccinated if you have not done so already. Vaccination is the best way to prevent COVID-19 and particularly to prevent severe infection.
  • Wear a mask when you are indoors at a public place (store, restaurant, etc.), even if you are vaccinated.
  • Stay home when you’re ill, except to get tested or see a healthcare provider.
  • Maintain six feet physical distancing from others.
  • Practice good handwashing.
  • Get tested if symptomatic or if you’ve spent time with someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Adhere to Health Department recommendations for isolation and quarantine if you are infected or are a close contact of an infected person.  

Booster Shots Announcement
Earlier today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced plans to begin providing booster shots (a third shot) to those who have received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. More information is expected soon on a J&J vaccine booster. Details will be forthcoming from the Fairfax County Health Department and the Virginia Health Department. Read the CDC announcement here.

In addition, the county's Health Department announced that third dose vaccinations are now available for individuals who are immunocompromised. Learn more.

There are additional COVID-19 updates below. Take care everyone and stay safe!

Respectfully,
Walter
COVID-19 Updates (Aug. 18)
Requests for Vaccine Services
Businesses and community event organizers can now request to host a vaccination team to provide COVID-19 vaccines or education/outreach services. Learn more.

Help is Available as CDC Extends Eviction Moratorium
The CDC has issued an extension for its eviction moratorium through Oct. 3. The moratorium provides residents who may be facing eviction with valuable time to access rent, mortgage and utility payment assistance for which they may be eligible. Learn more.

Mask Required at Fairfax County Facilities
Effective Aug. 9, all county employees and visitors – regardless of vaccination status – will be required to wear a mask while inside all Fairfax County facilities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more.



Aug. 18 Weekly COVID-19 Case/Vaccine Information Chart:
Data resources:


Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
  • Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here
  • Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here
Reston Regional Library Book Sale Aug. 19-22
Great news for young book lovers and teachers! Friends of the Reston Regional Library are holding a Back to School Book Sale for educators and students Aug.19 to 22. The sale includes thousands of gently used books in good condition.
Back to School on Aug. 23
Many parents across our community will be sending their children to FCPS classrooms this Monday, Aug. 23. Even if you don't have school age children, here are several things to know:

Summer Recap and Fall Preview

School Bus Safety
FCPS runs more than 1,600 school buses daily and everyone in our community needs to take extra care when driving and coming upon a stopped school bus. Drivers must stop in both directions, unless separated from the bus by a median. Please remember, it is considered reckless driving - a criminal offense - if you pass a stopped school bus unloading children.
Metro Update
New Metro Rail Yard to Keep Silver Line Moving
Yesterday I had the opportunity to tour the new Metro rail yard and operations facility near Dulles airport, along with some of my staff and FCDOT staff. The new rail yard includes service and inspection, maintenance-of-way, train wash, transportation and warehouse facilities. The rail yard will also be capable of storing 168 cars, making it the largest in the WMATA system. When Phase 2 of the Silver Line is up and running in early 2022, this state-of-the art rail yard will play a critical role in ensuring safe and seamless rail transportation.
Metro to Provide Discounts and Enhanced Service
WMATA recently announced new discounts, as well as more trains and buses effective Sept. 5:
Discounts
  • Free bus transfers – If you connect between rail and bus, the bus ride will now be free for all routes except Express service. 
  • Weekend fares on Metrorail will be $2 for a one-way trip.
  • Customers will now pay just $12 for a 7-day Regional Bus Pass, $6 for seniors/disabled customers, a savings of 20%.
Metrobus
  • More buses on the most popular Metrobus services – On 36 lines, riders will see more buses, more often between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
  • New and restored service – Customers on 10 routes will have new service added or service restored.
  • Less waiting between buses on additional routes – Buses on more than 40 other routes will provide more frequent service for customers.
  • More buses day and night – A detailed list of all the service changes can be found here.
Metrorail
  • More trains – Customers can expect to wait no more than 3-6 minutes for a train on weekdays at any station served by multiple lines and on the Red Line, all-day until 9:30 p.m.
  • Improved late-night train service – More trains every hour after 9:30 p.m.
  • Metrorail will stay open until 1 a.m. instead of midnight on Friday and Saturday.
  • On Sundays Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.
  • More trains will be used on weekends.
Public Safety Update
Free Car Seat Inspections This Saturday, Aug. 21
The Fairfax County Police Department is hosting a free child seat inspection and install event this Saturday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas à Becket Church, 1421 Wiehle Ave. in Reston. Inspections and installations are on a first come, first serve basis.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) Personnel Deployed to Haiti
Earlier this week, more than 60 FCFRD personnel (including canines) were deployed to Haiti to provide search and rescue efforts, and humanitarian aid following the devastating earthquake. The personnel are specially trained members of the Urban Search and Rescue Program, Virginia Task Force-1, which provides international urban search and rescue services as part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This federally funded team has deployed numerous times, including to the Bahamas in 2019 for Hurricane Dorian and Nepal in 2015 for a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Our thoughts are with these dedicated county staff for a successful deployment and a safe return home to their families. Watch video of a rescue effort.
Photo credit: USAID

Storm Damage: What to Know
We've had several summer storms recently that resulted in tree damage, lost power and road closures. Here's what you need to know for the next storm:
5 Things to Know Today
Summer Entertainment Series Continues
We still have a couple more weeks to enjoy the 2021 Hunter Mill Melodies summer entertainment series. Here is what is coming up at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon:
  • Thursday, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.: The United States Army Swamp Romp (Jazz)
  • Thursday, Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m.: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen (Bluegrass)

Vienna's Chillin' on Church, Friday, Aug. 20
End your week with a visit to Chillin' on Church, this Friday, Aug. 20, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on historic Church Street in Vienna. The event includes food, local beer and wine, music and family-friendly activities. Admission is free. Learn more.

Fight Suicide Walk-a-thon on Saturday, Aug. 21
Please join me and our Fairfax County Health Department officials for the Fight Suicide Walkathon this Saturday, Aug. 21, 8:30 a.m. to noon at Lake Fairfax Park (Shelter J), 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston. All ages are welcome. Register here for this free event, and learn more about the three mile walk.

Dogwood Elementary School Named IB World School
I was honored to join the celebration this past Monday at Dogwood Elementary School when it was announced that the school has been named an IB World School as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision.

Congrats Hunters Woods Elementary!
Gov. Ralph Northam recently announced that students from Hunters Woods Elementary were among five schools statewide whose submission was chosen during the inaugural AAPI Heritage Month Historical Marker Contest. The contest enabled students to learn more about Asian Americans who have had a significant impact on Virginia and submit ideas for new historical markers to the Department of Historical Resources.
Stay Informed and In Touch
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711