Issue 49
Friday, January 22, 2021
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

It has been a historic week in our nation, as we once again witnessed the peaceful transfer of power. We are a country that has, and will, continue to endure many trials and tribulations throughout our history. Yet, with each challenge we have faced, we emerge a stronger and more just nation for all. While there were many poignant moments throughout the inauguration, I want to share a link to the poem offered by Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb. Her words defy the constraints of time with meaning and wisdom beyond her young years.

Putting aside the new administration, what has been most on the forefront of people’s minds is the vaccine roll-out in our county, our commonwealth and our nation. There are several updates in our lead article below. Things are evolving quickly and I will continue to provide information as it is made available.

Please know I have been in contact with all three of the major health systems in Prince William County. Everyone is working alongside the Prince William Health District (a state-controlled bureau) and the County Emergency Operations Center, to see how we can facilitate the vaccinations of our most vulnerable and forward-facing populations, such as our elderly, immune-compromised, first-responders and teachers.

While the health district has made progress with establishing their vaccination location, nothing anyone can do will speed the distribution of the vaccine, if there aren’t any to offer. This remains the most crucial roadblock we face in the days and months ahead. So please continue to maintain all mitigation protocols.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
Vaccination
New Waitlist Form
Virginia was notified on January 15 that its order for more vaccines from the federal government would not be filled at this time. Therefore, the PW Health District’s vaccine order for this week was only partially filled. Due to the limited availability of vaccines and appointments being booked through mid-February, Prince William County, Manassas City and Manassas Park assisted the health district by establishing a new unified waitlist application.
Important New Waitlist Details

  • In the form, you will be asked a series of questions that determine your eligibility.

  • If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be added to the waitlist and contacted in the order in which you signed up once appointments become available.

  • Completing this form will add you to a waitlist for when additional vaccine appointments become available. It does not automatically schedule you for an appointment.

  • Due to limited vaccine availability from the federal government, it will likely be days to weeks before you are contacted to schedule an available appointment. If the health district receives additional vaccines, then this timeframe will change.

  • The form must be completed one time for each eligible person; responses cannot be shared.

  • Unlike the previous form, one email will work for more than one individual.
Second Dose Update
The Moderna vaccine recommends administering a second dose between 28-32 days after the date individuals receive the first dose. There are currently no available appointments to schedule second doses in the Vaccine Administration Management System.

If you received your first dose at a PW Health District clinic between December 28 and January 21 and haven't been able to schedule your second dose you should know:
  • Your second dose has been allocated and is prioritized for scheduling based on the second dose eligibility window.
  • You cannot register for your second dose online because of the forthcoming transition to a new vaccine administration and management system, so your appointment will be booked manually.
  • A dedicated scheduling team is available starting the week of January 25 to contact these individuals and assist them with manually booking an appointment.
  • The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the vaccine supply for second doses are accounted for and will be shipped to health districts, in addition to their weekly first dose allocations.
Additional Updates and Information
Vaccination Site Moved
In order to accommodate more vaccinations, the PW Health District’s vaccination clinic has moved from Metz Middle School to Beacon Hall on the PW Campus of George Mason University at 10945 George Mason Circle Manassas, Virginia 20110.

Assistance for Those Without Email
Those who do not have access to a computer, internet, or email may contact the PW Health District Call Center at (703) 872-7759 to be added to a waitlist by phone. The call center cannot take requests or make appointments; agents can only enter information into the form.

Scheduling System Update
Virginia will implement a new scheduling system called PrepMod for next month for appointments beyond February 15. These appointments are expected to be available in the new PrepMod system in the coming weeks, as vaccine supplies become available.
The PW Health District, with support from PWC, Manassas City, and Manassas Park, has expanded its hours and increased staffing to answer calls. The information line is now open seven-days-a-week from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm to help with COVID-19 questions and waitlist registration for people who are eligible for the vaccine. The call center will also assist those who do not have access to a computer, the internet or email.

PWHD — COVID-19 Call Center
  • COVID-19 Call Center Information Line: (703) 872-7759
  • Call Center Hours: Monday - Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • Email: PWHDEPR@vdh.virginia.gov
Additional Resources
Virginia Department of Health
Prince William Health District
COVID-19 News
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has launched a COVID-19 Outbreaks in Virginia Higher Education dashboard. While the VDH collaborates with Virginia colleges and universities to investigate and report outbreaks, it is not involved in collection of the data or the maintenance of this website, which is hosted by colleges and universities.
A Few Details About the Dashboard
  • A confirmed COVID-19 outbreak means that there were two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with a particular setting.
  • The dashboard presents only outbreak-associated (two or more) COVID-19 cases and deaths, not total number of cases.
  • The dashboard includes confirmed outbreaks reported to VDH from public and private colleges and universities since August 1.
BOCS
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, February 2
at 2:00 pm and at 7:30 pm

The complete 2021 meeting schedule is now available.
Chair's Calendar
Since January 16
A few of the activities from Chair Wheeler's calendar this past week included:
County News
During the challenging year of 2020, PWC Department of Economic Development 'persisted, innovated and invested' in many ways. Check-out this quick video to see some of highlights of what was accomplished.
Citizen involvement in developing the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is critical. You can share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions with the Planning Office and other County agencies to help shape the ongoing Comprehensive Plan and the future of PWC in several ways:
The PWC Human Rights Commission celebrated Universal Human Rights Day virtually on Saturday, January 16. The event included a presentation of the 2020 Human Rights Awards to the following members of the community who provided unique contributions to human and civil rights.
"Today's award recipients and so many more in our community became agents of creative change in meeting the needs of our residents, and for that I say, thank you. I thank each of today's award recipients for treating Prince William County as a family and standing up for human rights in various ways for different communities. Congratulations to each of this year's winners for their courage and selflessness. It made a difference in people's lives and I am truly, truly grateful."
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Prince William Board of County Supervisors
  • Aaron Tolson, who led the Prince William Community Feeding Task Force and coordinated the efforts of Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS), Prince William County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and the Prince William County Community Foundation in getting food to people in need during the pandemic.
  • Helen Zurita, who provided food to the most vulnerable in the community since the onset of COVID-19.
  • Lisa Shea, of Immigrants First, PLLC, who started a humanitarian effort to respond to the needs of immigrants facing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention and removal in Prince William County.
  • Lisa Ulrich and Jerome Hughes, who are advocates for people with mental illness, substance abuse issues and those experiencing homelessness; have helped people across Northern Virginia, including Prince William County.
  • Masks for Humanity, a group of 200 local people who contributed to the wellbeing of residents in the community by sewing and giving away more than 30,000 cloth masks during the pandemic.
  • MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, who contributed to the health and safety of the community by distributing free hand sanitizer to businesses and individuals when none was available through conventional outlets.
  • Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. Dale City-Prince William Chapter, who collected books to start the Eagles Express Bookmobile and collected hundreds of new hats and gloves for students.
School News
The BOCS named February 10 as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day to recognize the highly qualified, trained professional corps of dedicated men and women who protect children and teach them pedestrian safety. In the past school year, the 94 crossing guards successfully conducted 19,920 crossings and helped approximately 638,256 children safely cross County roads in sometimes adversarial, hostile and dangerous conditions. There have been no deaths or serious injuries to any child at any school crossing in the 57-year history of the Prince William crossing guards.
The PWC Schools Nutrition Services has moved to a one day a week grocery kit curbside pickup. Locations have also changed to allow PWCS nutrition the ability to give out a whole week of food in one kit. For all students returning to in-person learning during the 2020-21 school year, breakfast and school lunch are free.

NOTE: Monday, January 25, is a teacher workday, so that week pickup will be on Tuesday, January 26.
Hometown Hero
Boxes of Basics has been serving PWC youth since September 2018. The non-profit, created by Haymarket resident Sarah Tyndall, provides seasonal wardrobes to local children in need. In less than two years they have provided clothing to over 400 children in need. Each Box of Basics contains a variety of outfits, pants, shirts, dresses, jackets, shoes, socks pajamas and one “Sunday Best” outfit. They are then packaged so the child feels like they are opening a gift! Visit their website to learn how you can get involved.
Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 470,000 residents.