May 10, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

I want to start off by wishing a Happy Mother's Day to my mother, my wife, and all of the moms in our community. Many celebrations took place remotely today, but it doesn't change how much we owe the mothers in our lives.

I also want to address Governor Northam's Friday press conference and the question of whether Fairfax County will be reopening with the rest of Virginia. After extensive discussions with my regional colleagues, I sent a joint letter with Loudoun County Chair Randall, Prince William County Chair Wheeler, Arlington County Chair Garvey, and City of Alexandria Mayor Wilson to Governor Northam today.

We greatly appreciate the Governor outlining the strategic criteria he will use as the Commonwealth moves to open; I agree with the Governor that any decision to reopen should be made following the data that he outlined. However, Northern Virginia Health Directors tell me that we don't meet those same health criteria needed to move forward (including a downward trend of positive tests for over 14 days, a downward trend of hospitalizations for over 14 days, an increased capacity for both testing and contact testing, sufficient hospital beds and ICU capacity, and a sustained supply of personal protective equipment). Our letter urges him to implement his Forward Virginia plan for the region only once regional threshold metrics have been met .
 
Reopening our businesses will be crucial to moving forward and I share our community’s desire to do so, but the health of our residents is crucial to the health of our economy. This information is provided in the letter to the Governor and I hope he will take it into consideration before he makes a final decision later this week.

You can see the County's press release and a copy of the letter here . For details on Phase I of Governor Northam's reopening plan laid out on Friday, please read below.

See below for the full May 10 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.
Update from the Governor's Office

  • Above is an overview of what restrictions will look like under Phase I of the Governor's Forward Virginia plan. The Governor has not yet made a final decision on the date for the state's plan to reopen nor has he made a final decision on when northern Virginia will reopen.
  • I recommend you read the details of Phase I here.
  • It includes guidelines for businesses, maintaining physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices, and details on the types of businesses that can reopen and at what capacity.
  • You can also see more on the Forward Virginia plan here.

Fairfax County Park Authority Updates

  • On Friday, the Park Authority began a phased in re-opening of golf courses. Social distancing and sanitation measures are in place.
  • May 8: Burke Lake Golf Center, Greendale Golf Course, Laurel Hill Golf Club
  • May 15: Pinecrest Golf Course and Twin Lakes Golf Course (Oaks)
  • May 22: Jefferson Golf Course, Oak Marr Golf Complex and Twin Lakes Golf Course (Lakes)
  • Learn more here.
  • Yesterday, Park Authority farmers markets began a phased in opening. Market guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, and product ordering can be found here.
  • Saturdays, beginning May 9: Reston Farmers Market, 8am-12pm.
  • Wednesdays, beginning May 13: Mount Vernon/McCutcheon Farmers Market, 8am-12pm.
  • Saturdays, beginning May 16: Burke Farmers Market, 8am-12pm.
  • Learn more here.
  • Other park amenities remain closed.

May and June Elections

  • There are two elections coming up and Fairfax County is encouraging voters to vote by mail and select reason 2A on your absentee ballot application. You also are not required to have a witness signature on your ballot, if you don't think you can do so safely. Request a ballot here.
  • You can vote absentee in-person at the Fairfax County Government Center. The Office of Elections is offering curbside absentee voting. Call 703-222-0776 upon arrival.
  • Weekdays: Offices are open M-F, 8am-4:30pm.
  • Saturday June 13 and June 20, from 9am-5pm.
  • May 19 Election
  • This election is only taking place in the towns of Vienna and Clifton.
  • Be sure to start returning your absentee ballots as soon as possible to allow enough time for your ballot to be returned.
  • June 23 Democratic and Republican Primaries
  • The races on the ballot will be the statewide Republican Primary for Senate and the Democratic Primary for the 11th Congressional District.
  • You have until May 26 to register to vote or update your voter registration ahead of the election.
  • The deadline to request an absentee ballot is June 16.
  • The Office of Elections urgently needs election officers for the June 23 primary. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 15. 

How you can help: Stuff the Bus

  • On Saturday, May 16 and Tuesday May 19, from 10am-3pm, Stuff the Bus will be parked throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax to collect food donations.
  • Buses will be parked in less-frequented lots, including all Board of Supervisors’ offices and the Fairfax County Government Center, to allow donors to comply with social distancing recommendations. The donations will benefit 10 nonprofits in Fairfax County. 
  • See all 21 drop-off points here.
  • For more ways to contribute, visit my website and see the section "how you can help".
I would also like to share some good news. My office coordinated the donation of 500 masks from Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals to first responders and the Fairfax County Health Department. I am incredibly grateful for his help in making sure our frontline workers are protected.
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 |