May 11, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

In case you missed yesterday's news, after extensive discussions with my Northern Virginia regional colleagues, we sent a  joint letter to Governor Northam presenting COVID-19 data from our Health Directors. Their data was placed in comparison to the criteria laid out by the Governor in order for the state to move into the first phase of his Forward Virginia plan.

Today, Governor Northam announced that he will make a final decision about Northern Virginia moving forward into Phase I of Forward Virginia on Wednesday. I greatly appreciate his acknowledgement that Northern Virginia’s health data is significantly different than the rest of the Commonwealth as well as his consideration of the population and density of our region. Remember, the population of Fairfax County alone is greater than eight states.

This request was made in response to the Governor's suggestion that certain data benchmarks should be met ahead of reopening. Northern Virginia Health Directors tell me that we don't meet those same health criteria needed to move forward. That data includes:

  • 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
  • A sustained supply of personal protective equipment

You might be wondering how this is possible. Although social distancing and access to PPE is working to flatten the curve, we are still in the exponential growth cycle of our epidemic curve. That means for now cases are still increasing. In Northern Virginia as a whole, the percentage of positive cases of those tested is 25%, while the rest of the state is at 10%. So we still have some work to do.

Again, I recommend that you look at the data laid out by our Health Directors here and Fairfax County's case data here.

Though we acknowledge the data is not there yet, we are hopeful this can be achieved soon. We all want to reopen as soon as possible based on public safety and data.

Also, below you will find a video message from Dr. J. Stephen Jones of Inova. He addresses how Inova has responded to COVID-19 to date and how Inova is working to meet the community's needs.

See below for the full May 11 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.
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

Marine Corps Base Quantico Training Advisory

  • Because training at Quantico is continuous, residents may hear noise or feel vibrations of varying impact.
  • Training will take place on:
  • May 12 from 7am-11pm
  • May 13 from 7am-11pm
  • May 14 from 9pm-11pm (AV aircraft movement)
  • May 20 from 7am-6pm

Metro

  • Metro announced a new plan for construction activities for the summer of 2020 with a full closure of all Metrorail Orange and Silver Line stations in Fairfax County starting May 23.
  • Metro is still providing free Orange and Silver Line shuttle bus service.
  • Learn more here and alternative Fairfax Connector services here.
  • They also released a COVID-19 recovery plan, that outlines a flexible blueprint for ramping up service, while protecting customers and employees.
  • An overview is here.

May and June Elections

  • There are two elections coming up and Fairfax County is encouraging voters to vote by mail.
  • To clarify a point from yesterday's newsletter - Voters will not be required to have a witness sign their absentee ballot for the June 23 election only.
  • 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 for residents of 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".
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 |