To the Fairfax County Community,
Last week, Governor Northam announced Virginia will be entering Phase 3 of reopening. Many have asked why Northern Virginia didn't delay entering Phase 3 and the answer lies in the data which I outlined in
last Thursday's newsletter and in the work of the Health Department, which was detailed during
today's Health and Human Services Committee meeting. We continue to improve upon the metrics that the Governor outlined at the beginning of this process.
In addition, Northern Virginia acts as a region. One county can't act on its own. We have sufficient space at our hospitals, we have adequate PPE, there is testing capacity for everyone who needs it, and we are building our infrastructure to conduct contact tracing for the next year.
I understand concerns however, the surges of cases in Florida and Texas are troubling. Today, Governor Northam responded by
prohibiting congregating in bars. Despite this update, it is safer to stay home. Otherwise, we must continue to act to protect ourselves and our families. We all must:
- Wear a mask as required.
- Wash our hands.
- Practice social distancing.
In preparation
for entering phase 3 of reopening, my office and the Fairfax County Health Department are working to ensure vulnerable communities have access to masks. Over the last week, my office has donated 10,000 masks to Neighborhood Health, Healthworks, Culmore Clinic, Cornerstones, and CASA Virginia. We were able to do so because of the generous donation of masks from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.
See below for the full June 30 edition of my newsletter. 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.
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Bottom Line: What's Changed?
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Phase 3
- Phase 3 guidelines can be found in English here and in Spanish here. The County's overview can be found here.
- Key changes:
- Non-essential businesses, restaurants, and beverage services may fully reopen. Congregating in bars is now prohibited.
- Entertainment venues may open at 50% capacity.
- Gatherings of up to 250 people will be allowed.
- Childcare facilities may open.
- All open facilities must continue to maintain physical distancing practices and enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices.
- Teleworking is still strongly encouraged.
- Face masks are still required.
Park Authority
- The Park Authority has launched a series of group outdoor fitness classes seven days a week.
- Choose from workouts such as Boot Camp, Aerobics, Cycle Spin, Zumba, Tai Chi, PiYo, Yoga, Pilates, H.I.I.T., BODYCOMBAT and Fitness for Seniors.
- These are not free drop in classes. You must register in advance.
- Learn more here.
- The Park Authority is offering virtual summer camps.
- Registration is now open. To register, search for category of activity: "camps" in Parktakes online.
- RECenters will begin a phased reopening in July. I will share more details when they become available.
- Check the operating status of all Park Authority facilities here.
FCPD Data
Inova
- Inova is sharing information on their comprehensive care program to ensure everyone feels safe when visiting their facilities.
- Safe@Inova provides details about facility practices, their strict PPE requirements, and cleaning protocols.
- They want residents to know that it is safe to go to the hospital. This is especially important if you are experiencing an emergency.
- Inova will also be easing restrictions on visitors.
Temporary Shelter for Vulnerable Communities
- The County is providing Quarantine, Protection, Isolation/Decompression emergency housing for those who are unable to practice infection control and meet eligibility criteria.
- The isolation/quarantine hotels are temporary sheltering sites only and do not provide health care services.
- If you have additional questions about whether you meet the criteria for these temporary shelters, call the Fairfax County Health Department Call Center at 703-267-3511.
- Learn more.
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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:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- 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. It is now required in Virginia.
- 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, shoes, 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 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
- Email: [email protected]. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
- Inova has a helpful FAQ.
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We recognize that we are in very trying times, but I hope you see in these newsletters that positive change has occurred over the last several months.
As I often say, we are truly lucky to live in Fairfax County where we have the resources to overcome challenges and a community who rises to the occasion.
Jeffrey C. McKay
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