May 15, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

I wanted to start off by sharing some good news from the Census front. Despite the pandemic, Fairfax County has one of the highest response rates in the state at 73.3%! This is important news that will ensure investment and representation in our County. If you haven't filled out the Census yet, there is still time before staff from the U.S. Census Bureau begins to follow up in August. You can fill our your Census here .

I also wanted to make you aware that tomorrow May 16 and Tuesday, May 19 from 10am-3pm, Fairfax County Stuff the Bus is collecting food donations throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. There will be 21 drop-off locations and donations will benefit 10 area nonprofits. Below you will find tips to donate safely. See all drop off points, requested items, and more here .

See below for the full May 15 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.
The Heroes Act

  • Today, I had a call with Congressman Connolly and he shared information on the HEROES Act, which is aimed to help address fallout from COVID-19.
  • It is an exciting $3 trillion package. Some provisions include:
  • $375 billion to local governments, with roughly $618 million allocated to Fairfax County for the next two years. The funding would have maximum flexibility which will be crucial to local Virginia governments to maintain legally required balanced budgets.
  • $60 billion would go to K-12 school districts.
  • A $200 billion fund would provide hazard pay to essential workers.
  • It would extend unemployment insurance set up in the CARES Act to January 2021.
  • Another round of direct payments to Americans of about $1,200 would be implemented.
  • $25 billion would be allocated to the U.S. Postal Service.
  • This is an important bill for Fairfax County and all Americans. If you would like to see this legislation pass through Congress, give our Senators a call. Senator Warner's office can be reached at 202-224-2023 and Senator Kaine's office can be reached at 202-224-4024.

Fairfax RISE Grant Program

  • This week, the Board voted to create a new $25 million grant program, Fairfax RISE, through CARES Act funding. These grants will provide immediate relief assistance to small businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19.
  • Criteria to apply is primarily based on an organization's size, location, and time in operation.
  • Applications will open in early June. I recommend that you sign up to be notified when the application opens here.
  • Learn more about the program here.

Nonprofit Sustainability Grant Program

  • The Board also established a $5 million fund to help non-profit organizations whose primary work supports social safety net services. This program will also be funded through CARES Act dollars.
  • Applications are now open with an application deadline of May 22.
  • This is in addition to the $20 million of CARES Act funding we issued to nonprofits in our community last week.
  • Learn more here.

Glass Recycling

  • Fairfax County glass recycling resumed this week.
  • Purple containers are all reset.
  • See locations and safety tips here.

Transportation

  • Beginning Monday, May 18, face coverings or masks will be required when traveling on Metro. Learn more here.
  • Also beginning Monday, May 18, face coverings or masks will be required when traveling on Fairfax Connector buses. Learn more here.
  • There will be a weeklong grace period through Monday, May 25.

Update from the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness

  • As of May 12, 152 individuals have moved to shelter in three hotels for isolation, quarantine, and protection.
  • Approximately 70 hotel rooms remain available and two additional hotels with approximately 160 rooms are identified for use in the north and south county areas.
  • In addition to sheltering homeless individuals, the hotel rooms are also now being used for sheltering clients of the Community Services Board, the Department of Family Services, and families and individuals referred by Healthworks of Northern Virginia and Neighborhood Health, that have been affected by the pandemic. 

Courts


Update from FCPS

  • Fairfax County Public Schools announced that they will continue distance learning for students during the summer along with targeted intervention services. They also summarized preliminary discussions on returning to school for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.
  • 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.
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 |