You may have noticed on a visit to a county facility that the county flag has been at half-mast for most of the pandemic, which has been in recognition of those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. This evening I joined my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors and other local officials for a COVID-19 Remembrance Ceremony at the Government Center.

The ceremony honored the more than 2,350 lives lost in Northern Virginia, including our neighboring jurisdictions. Just as we did for our neighbors lost during 9/11 and the 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy, we gathered at the seat of our county government to remember, honor and mourn. You can watch the ceremony here.

 

Lives lost to COVID-19 since March 2020:

 

My deepest condolences to all of our residents who have lost a family member or friend in the pandemic. 

If you need a replacement card, you can either email the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) help desk at vaccinerecord@vdh.virginia.gov or call the VIIS help desk at 1-866-375-9795 to request a new card. The help desk operates 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also request a new card by directly filling out an Immunization Record Request Form. Within 24 to 48 hours, a VIIS representative will contact you. When you receive your replacement card, take a photo of the front and back side. It is recommended that you do not laminate card, but do keep it in a safe place.

Learn more.

Fairfax County's Health Department has demobilized COVID-19 community testing sites it operates and transitioned testing to their traditional clinic sites. Other testing options are widely available through health care providers, urgent care centers and pharmacies. Residents who exhibit symptoms and do not have access to other testing options may schedule an appointment for testing at a Fairfax County Health Department clinic location by calling the Health Department’s call center at 703-324-7404. Learn more.

(NOTE: Fairfax Health District case counts for yesterday and today include an adjustment made by the Virginia Department of Health. This adjustment is a result of normal data review. In addition, there is data that was not available at time of publication.)

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis recently presented proposed revisions to General Order 504.1 (vehicle pursuits) to the Board of Supervisors. The presentation can be viewed here. On Thursday, June 10, Major Bob Blakley and members of FCPD’s pursuit policy review committee will host a virtual town hall to promote public awareness and get community feedback about this important policy initiative. To join the Zoom meeting click here.  

Fairfax County is a mobility-diverse and growing jurisdiction creating safety challenges for motorists, pedestrians and officers. The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for all officers, supervisors and commanders when making the critical decision to initiate a pursuit, continue a pursuit or end a pursuit.

The Fairfax County Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP), in partnership with Aging Rainbows, will hold a virtual event “LGBTQ+ Protections in Fairfax County” on Monday, June 14, 6 to 7 p.m. Learn about fair housing and employment laws, including new civil rights protections recently enacted in Virginia: source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status. To attend, register at: https://bit.ly/June14OHREP

Library's Monthlong Celebration

The Fairfax County Public Library is offering many programs in support of Pride month including Rainbow Families Storytimes, Teen and Adult Pride book clubs and LGBT+ open mic events (all virtual at this time). For more information, go to the Library's events page and search Pride.

The fourth annual Reston Pride festival at Lake Anne Plaza will feature local musicians and artists supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ community in the greater Reston Area. Reston Pride is organized by members and friends of the Reston LGBTQ community with support from Reston Community Center, nonprofits and other local organizations. Learn more.

At our meeting yesterday, June 8, the Board of Supervisors authorized the licensing of the "Made in Fairfax" logo to support and increase visibility for our small-scale production businesses and “makers” throughout the county. Learn more here.

Also at yesterday's meeting, the Board approved a new targeted $25 million grant program for small businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including food service; retail, services and amusements; arts organizations and historical sites; and lodging. This is the third recovery program we have offered to help our small business community in the county. The program will be paid for through the funds allocated by the American Rescue Plan. Learn more. 

Beginning yesterday, June 8, the sidewalk on Sunset Hills Rd. near the intersection of Wiehle Ave. will be closed long-term due to the ongoing Comstock construction project. See the map for closure area and alternative pedestrian route.

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force meetings will now be held weekly through July. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. You can watch a live stream of the meetings on YouTube Live. Upcoming June meeting dates (Please note that each meeting has a unique link and call-in information): 

Discussion on PCA 81-C-111.The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use Access Code:173 011 5230. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. For information, contact Jose Delcid, 703-478-0283.  

The Wiehle Pedestrian Crossing Study Group virtual meeting is Thursday, June 24, 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform – use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use Access Code: 173 173 162 8322. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. To submit feedback, questions or comments, email WiehleCrossingStudyGroup@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County is offering a new program called TOPS (Transportation Options, Programs & Services) that replaces the previous taxi voucher programs (Seniors On-The-Go!, TaxiAccess, and Dial-A-Ride). The streamlined program provides a transportation debit card in lieu of paper vouchers and offers more transportation options in addition to taxi services. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Park Authority's Rec-PAC is an affordable, quality summer recreation program for Fairfax County children in first through sixth grades. Rec-PAC is available at 29 elementary school locations beginning June 28 through Aug. 5 and operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Learn more.