May 01, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,
 
Over the weekend, millions marched the streets across the United States mourning the death of George Floyd and rightfully protesting the injustices and systemic racism experienced by generations of African American men and women in this country. 

I'm angry and disgusted that today, for the third time in as many days, we saw peaceful protestors tear gassed and shot with pellet guns as they chanted for peace and change. Simultaneously, COVID-19 continues to showcase and exacerbate the disparities that exist in our most vulnerable communities.
 
Now more than ever, we know it is the role of our local government to achieve true structural change in our communities. We in Fairfax County must honestly ask ourselves, what actions are we taking?; what voices are we lifting up?; and for me as your Chairman, are our policies affecting systemic change in our community?
 
We are lucky to live in Fairfax County. Our Government has a team of employees who dedicate themselves to making us better every day. Our residents are diverse and challenge us to do more. Each member of the Board of Supervisors believes that we can always improve.
 
It is our commitment to our diversity that created our One Fairfax policy, which makes equity a requirement and recognizes that disparity is a fact. The Board of Supervisors and School Board adopted it to ensure that it is intentionally applied to all the work we do – not just reflected on when we are in crisis.  In the coming days, I will announce a blueprint to double down on our commitments.
 
We have work to be done. In the days, weeks, and months ahead of us, we will continue to listen, encourage healthy dialogues, and have the courage to fight for what’s right.
 
See below for the full June 1 edition. For the resources mentioned in past newsletters, visit my website . If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here .
Bottom line: What do I need to know?

  1. Curbside pickup has begun at Fairfax County Public Libraries.
  2. The Park Authority have opened more facilities.
  3. Tysons Boulevard is open for pedestrian and bike use only.
Fairfax County Public Libraries

  • While libraries are still closed, today all branches began curbside pickup.
  • It is available Monday through Friday, from 10am-4pm.
  • Read more.

Park Authority

  • The following updates have been made to Park Authority facilities:
  • Anyone who visits a Park Authority golf course clubhouse or other indoor space must wear a mask.
  • Campgrounds at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston and Burke Lake Park are open. 
  • Batting cages at Braddock Park in Clifton are open.
  • Non-permitted use of athletic fields has resumed.
  • Permitted use of picnic shelters is available.
  • Read more.

Tysons Boulevard Open for Pedestrian and Bike Use

  • Tysons Boulevard will be temporarily closed for vehicle use and has been opened for pedestrian and bicycle use.
  • The closure extends from Westbranch Drive to the pedestrian entrance of Lillian Court at Tysons II. It connects bike lanes on Park Run Dr. and Westpark Dr. 
  • This is a pilot program to determine potential expansion.
  • Read more.

June 23 Primaries

  • The Democratic and Republican Primary is June 23 and we are encouraging voters to request an absentee ballot here.
  • What's on the ballot: the Republican Primary for Senate and the Democratic Primary for the 11th Congressional District.
  • You can vote absentee in person at the Fairfax County Government Center:
  • Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
  • Call: 703-222-0776 upon arrival
  • More from the Fairfax County Office of Elections can be found here.

New Resources from Neighborhood and Community Services

  • NCS Connects for youth and teens between grades 1-12 emulates the experience of visiting a community or teen center.
  • The site features original programming and on-demand resources for youth and parents 
  • Adults can stay connected through the Virtual Center for Active Adults. The VCAA was created with the goal of enriching the lives of adults in Fairfax County while combating isolation.
  • Adults can visit the site to connect with their peers, engage in a variety of activities, and discover useful resources.  

Phase I Reopening

Health
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:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills, repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste and smell
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • 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
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • The CDC recommends wearing non-medical masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is now required in Virginia.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) spoke with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

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 9:00 am - 7 pm weekdays and 9:30 am - 5 pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: [email protected]. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am - 8 pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
As we have more information to share, my office and Fairfax County Government will continue to update residents.

Thank you for your support and patience as we work to manage this challenging, complex, and rapidly evolving situation.

Jeffrey C. McKay
Contact the Office

[email protected] | 703.324.2321 |