May 13, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

In case you missed it, my regional colleagues and I video-conferenced in to Governor Northam's daily press conference to discuss his decision to maintain public health restrictions in Northern Virginia. You can read Executive Order 62 here, an overview of the action here, and watch today's press conference here.

I appreciate the Governor’s reliance on the data and metrics provided by our Health Directors. Our County and region are actively working to meet the Governor's health criteria, which will allow us to take the first steps towards reopening the economy.

I understand the frustrations and fears in regards to reopening. I do not take lightly the financial struggles that many are experiencing nor the devastating impacts this virus has on health. The Board continues to address the community's needs. We allocated over $25 million to non-profits and $25 million to small businesses.

In the meantime, the Northern Virginia region will continue to track the necessary statistics because we are all anxious to reopen our economy as soon as possible based on public safety and data.
It is therefore necessary that you continue to stay home and follow health directives. This will be incredibly important not only to move into Phase I of Governor Northam's Forward Virginia Plan, but Phase II, which will allow many more businesses to open.

See below for the full May 13 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.
Board approves Fairfax RISE Grant Program

What happened? Yesterday, the Board voted to create at new $25 million grant program, Fairfax RISE, to provide immediate relief assistance to small businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19. The Board hopes to help small businesses and non-profits remain in business and address gaps that may exist in federal funding.

Who can apply? Criteria is primarily based on an organization's size, location, and time in operation. You can read more here.

When will the program open? Early June. You can sign up to be notified when the application opens here.

Anything else? At least 30% of the program's funds will be allocated to minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. Historically these kinds of businesses have faced difficulty obtaining financing.

Other news from the Board meeting

  • The Board adopted the FY2021 Budget plan. You can learn more here.
  • The Board also established a $5 million fund to help non-profit organizations whose primary work supports social safety net services. More on this to come.
  • The Board adopted the Consolidated Plan One-Year Action Plan for FY2021. This is a blueprint for our affordable housing work for the next year with a specific focus on the use of federal grant funds. See pg. 94 of the Board package.
  • You can read the final Board package here.

Update from FCPS

  • Additional information has been issued about the Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), which provides temporary food assistance to cover the cost of meals students have missed due to school closures.
  • Families of FCPS students that already received free and reduced-priced lunch prior to closures will automatically get this benefit.
  • Those not in the program, can apply to free and reduced-priced lunch by June 11 to also receive P-EBT.
  • Families can apply online or request a paper application by calling FCPS Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
  • Also, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand sent this note to all graduating seniors.
  • See other FCPS COVID-19 updates here.

COVID-19 Case Dashboard

  • The Fairfax County Health Department has added new data points to its COVID-19 Case Data Dashboard in an effort to keep the public informed during the COVID-19 emergency.
  • The dashboard now includes: probable cases, deceased cases by age group, and COVID-19 testing by week.
  • The case rates are now presented by 5-digit zip codes.

Shopping and Pharmacy Pick Up for Older Adults

  • Fairfax County Health Department's Neighbor to Neighbor Program has launched a grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up service for County residents age 60 and over.
  • To request shopping and pharmacy pick-up call: 703-324-7948
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. Read here for information and to learn how to best wear a mask and how to make your own.
  • 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, shows, 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 |