Dec. 9, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
I wish I had better news, but the concern by our health officials that COVID-19 numbers would increase after Thanksgiving is happening here in Fairfax County and across the country. Yesterday, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) sent out this urgent alert for everyone to take action to fight our upwardly trending case numbers. The message with the four simple precautions is the same that we have heard throughout most of the pandemic. It is getting old I realize, but everyone please stay vigilant.
In today's COVID-19 Case Data Dashboard, you will find the chart directly below, which shows the trajectory of our cases in the Fairfax County Health District. There are additional data resources under the COVID-19 Updates below and I hope you take a few minutes to review.
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If you have questions about COVID-19, you can contact the Fairfax County Health Department:
- Call 703-267-3511 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends)
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Email [email protected] (monitored 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays)
Another concern is the mental health impacts of the pandemic on our community. The social isolation can be really hard especially during the holidays. It's normal to feel fearful and uncertain about what to expect. However, there are steps you can take to promote positive emotional and mental health; here are additional resources.
As Fairfax County's Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu said recently regarding the upcoming vaccines and the critical need to stay vigilant, "There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it is still quite a long tunnel."
Respectfully,
Walter
Note: My 2020 “hard copy” newsletter is in the mail to Hunter Mill District residents, which includes a a review of my priorities for our district in 2020/2021 and beyond. I hope you find the information helpful! You may also want to read this Reston Now article.
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Today's COVID-19 Updates (Dec. 9) |
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Vaccine Updates
Testing
Data Dashboards and Charts
Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
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Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here and scroll down to get to ZIP Code data.
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Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here and ZIP Code data look for Data Download bar.
COVID-19 Case Information Chart (as of publication on Dec.9)
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Transportation and Land Use |
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Youth (Under 18 years old) Are Invited to Apply to Become a member of the ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan Youth Advisory Committee; Deadline Dec. 15
Apply by Dec. 15 for the opportunity to serve on this committee, which will discuss the needs of youth to get around Fairfax County by bike, foot, or bus. You will also aid in developing a plan for a countywide safe and convenient trail and bike path network using your local knowledge and experience. Learn more.
Dulles Toll Road Will be Cashless Beginning Jan. 1
The Dulles Toll Road will be going permanently cashless on Jan.1, 2021. Manual toll collecting was ended on April 6, as part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s response to COVID-19. This change will now become permanent with the road moving to all electronic tolling. Loose change will no longer be accepted and tollbooth change baskets will be removed. Learn more.
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meeting on Dec. 14, 7 to 9 p.m.
To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, please visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, Dec. 14, 7 to 9 p.m. Details and the agenda will be found here. The meeting will be hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 179 676 5603. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. (Please note each meeting has a unique link and call-in information.)
You will also be able to watch a live stream of the meeting on YouTube Live.
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To sign up for email updates, visit the Email Subscription page, enter your email address and select Reston Study & Plan Amendment News.
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To submit feedback, questions or comments on the Reston study or plan amendment process, email [email protected].
Reston Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee Virtual Meeting, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.
The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform – use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code:179 957 8138. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. More information.
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Schedule Your Car Seat Inspection
Car seat inspections are an important and potentially lifesaving service provided by the Fairfax County Police Department. They are also very popular! The Dec. 15 slots in Reston are full; the next scheduled inspection date is Jan. 21. To reserve a slot or get more information call 703-478-0904 (TTY 711).
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Learn About CityProtect.Com
The Fairfax County Police Department is partnering with CityProtect.com to offer residents the opportunity to search for and view police activity in a user-friendly website. Incidents (according to your filters) will be displayed on a map of the area that you are searching. The goal of this resource is to help residents to make informed decisions, promote crime prevention strategies, and help build stronger neighborhood and community networks. For more information, email PFC Brandi Horita, Reston District Station Community Liaison Officer.
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Board of Supervisors Update |
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The Board of Supervisors held its last slate of committee meetings for 2020 yesterday, Dec. 8. Below are links to the committee agendas and presentations. You can watch the committee meetings here.
If you have any questions or comments regarding Board of Supervisors meetings or committees, please email my office [email protected] .
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Holiday Lights on the Farm
Brighten your season with a driving tour of Holiday Lights at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Tour the park in the safety and warmth of your vehicle on a one-mile route to see the farm animals, wooded wonders, and lights decorating the pastures and historic buildings. $20 per car. Learn more.
31 Days of Holiday Happiness from Visit Fairfax
Each day of December, Visit Fairfax reveals a new holiday fun suggestion ranging from activities to gift ideas. As part of this effort, they worked directly with the Made in Fairfax initiative to specifically support Fairfax County small businesses. Learn more.
Professional Touring Artist Series: Lúnasa, “A Celtic Holiday” Dec. 17 at 8 p.m.
The CenterStage at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost: $25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston
Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts, Lúnasa is a gathering of some of the top musical talents in Ireland. Learn more.
“Gifts from the HeART” Exhibit to Benefit Cornerstones Dec. 1 through Jan. 4
Reston Community Center Lake Anne,1609-A Washington Plaza
During the 22nd annual “Gifts from the HeART” Exhibit artists will display and sell their one-of-a-kind, handmade artworks in a variety of mediums. Art will be displayed at RCC Lake Anne’s Jo Ann Rose and 3D Galleries and online at our new Virtual Artist Directory. Artists will donate 10% of proceeds to Cornerstones to support families in need. Learn more.
Virtual Nutcracker Performances in December
The Fairfax Ballet and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra are presenting virtual performances of the Nutcracker from Dec. 5 to 27. Learn more
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Food Scraps Composting Drop Off
Fairfax County recently opened two new locations where residents can drop off food waste to be composted. Food waste makes up as much as one-third of the trash we dispose of every day. Learn more.
NAACP Black Business Expo on Saturday, Dec. 12
The Fairfax County NAACP invites you to join their Virtual Black Business Expo on Saturday, Dec. 12, noon to 3 p.m. There will be music, holiday shopping, and conversation. Register here.
From Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department: Why You Should Water Your Live Christmas Tree
Many members of the community are putting up Christmas lights and trees early. If you are using a live Christmas tree, FCFRD asks all residents to please take extra care and water your tree every day! Learn more.
Coat Closet Returns This Saturday to North County Governmental Center
Cornerstones, in partnership with my office is operating the annual Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet to provide free winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves to all who need them. There is currently a particular need for children's jackets. If you can, please consider dropping off coats between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston. Coats will also be distributed at this time. Learn more.
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Stay Informed and In Touch |
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Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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