Dear Providence Residents,
Tuesday was our last Board Meeting of 2020. The meeting agenda is available for your review here. Notably, Fairfax County accepted funding from the Virginia Department of Health for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Vaccine distribution plans are forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead, as such plans are dependent on guidance released from the federal and Virginia governments. The Board also authorized that the County apply and accept various sources of grant funding, including $1.5 million to be used towards job training and re-employment of workers who have been impacted by COVID-19.
You can find the following Providence District updates in this week's edition of the newsletter:
- A Closer Look at mRNA Vaccines
- Board of Supervisors Meeting
- Openings in Providence Boards, Authorities & Commissions
- Paper Shredding Event This Saturday
- Transportation Updates
- Featured Events
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and well.
With Gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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A Closer Look at mRNA Vaccines
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In Fairfax County, and across the nation, we are anticipating the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines. While we await details about allocations and distribution, we do know that the initial vaccines we receive will be “mRNA” vaccines. So, now is the time to begin learning about how these types of vaccines work.
Facts About COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines
- They cannot give someone COVID-19.
- mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19.
- They do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way.
- mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept.
- The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions.
- They are being held to the same rigorous safety and effectiveness standards as all other types of vaccines in the United States.
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Last Board Meeting of the Year
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Tuesday was our last Board Meeting of 2020. The meeting agenda is available for your review here.
A few highlights of items I've been working on:
Chairman McKay and I asked staff to continue disseminating county funds for basic assistance after 12/30 when CARES money gets exhausted. Currently budgeted resources for basic needs should be utilized first with additional support from the General Fund Pandemic Reserve expended as needed. In addition, staff should pursue other funding opportunities as available.
In my role as HHS Chair, I also asked for a public hearing for the adoption on Chapter 43.2 of the Fairfax County Code, which has established basic guidelines for food establishments to conduct outdoor cooking practices, the inclusion of additional food items that require time/temperature control for safety, and added the current designations for food safety violations based on an association with foodborne illness.
Lastly, I was proud to make the motion for an expansion of the Tysons Partnership’s role, with Chairman McKay, and Supervisors Alcorn and Foust. The work of the Tysons Partnership should include a plan spelling out the role, major activities, financing, and value proposition provided to the Tysons community and Fairfax County overall. It shall focus on governance, metrics of success and a sustainable funding stream. The motion included the nomination of $1 million from the Economic Opportunity Reserve to provide resources for short term initiatives designed to support the priorities identified above. These would include things like wayfinding, promotion of Tysons events and businesses and connectivity through community events.
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Openings Providence Boards, Authorities & Commissions
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Are you interested in a Fairfax County Board Authority or Commission?
The Providence District is looking for qualified individuals from our area, from all different backgrounds, to volunteer on one of our many community steered advisory boards. With more than 40 different boards, we are always looking for dedicated individuals with backgrounds in a wide variety of fields.
Currently, we have the following openings:
Tenant Landlord Commission – Tenant Member - To give objective and fair assistance to the County's tenants and landlords. The Commission provides information to educate the public concerning the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, recommends changes in the tenant-landlord law at all levels of government, represents County interests concerning tenant-landlord matters before legislative and other public and private bodies; and through the staff of the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection, receives, mediates, and arbitrates tenant-landlord complaints. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bacs/BoardDetails.aspx?BoardID=23344
Fairfax Area Disability Services Board - In accordance with Va. Code Sec. 51.5-47 to provide input to state and local agencies on service needs and priorities of persons with physical and sensory disabilities, to provide information and resource referral to local governments regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to provide such other assistance and advice to local governments as may be requested. -https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bacs/BoardDetails.aspx?BoardID=26510
Industrial Development Authority - To enter into loan agreements, contracts, deeds, and other instruments for the purpose of financing and refinancing certain facilities, including medical facilities and other facilities owned and operated or used by organizations described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. To protect and promote health and welfare of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Virginia and to issue its revenue bonds for such purposes. The Authority does this through its involvement with all Inova hospitals; Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Fairfax, Inova Mt. Vernon and Inova Alexandria as well as the Authority's involvement at the Loudoun Hospital Center. The Authority helps to introduce resolutions for Inova Health System Review Bonds for the benefit of the Inova Health System – Please note: Statement of Economic Interest Disclosure required - https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bacs/BoardDetails.aspx?BoardID=22006
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Free Paper Shredding Event This Saturday
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Shredding at the Gerry Hyland Government Center, this Saturday., Dec. 5, 7 – 11 a.m. Fairfax County residents may take no more than four boxes of materials to be shredded to the Government Center at 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA, 22309. Masks are required and social distancing measures will be in place. The materials will be shredded on-site and later taken to a recycling center. Business documents are not permitted. Residents must remain in their cars.
COVID-19 has prevented countywide shredding this year, however, plans are underway for several shredding locations in 2021.
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Overnight Closures and Traffic Stoppages on I-66 East and West near Jermantown Road are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, for overhead bridge work on I-66. From 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. traffic in both directions will be reduced to one lane. Between midnight and 4 a.m. drivers can expect waits up to 20 minutes. All lanes will reopen by 9 a.m.
One lane on Gallows Road North and South between Bellforest Drive and Cottage Street will be closed for utility work through Friday, Dec 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Two lanes on I-495 South from Route 7 to I-66 will be closed for barrier installation through Friday, December 4: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The HOV lanes on I-66 West from Nutley Street to Vaden Drive and I-66 East from Blake Lane to Nutley Street will be closed for paving operations.
Construction and lane closure updates of Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project are available at Transform66.org and on Twitter @VaDOTNOVA. To receive project updates automatically by email, sign up here
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Winter Holidays and COVID-19
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Staying safe is the number one priority as we enter the winter holiday season. Celebrating with your household is the safest way to enjoy the holidays. Find COVID-19 recommendations for family celebrations, shopping and entertainment here
Are you looking for a COVID-19 test or do you have other questions about COVID-19? Call the Fairfax County Health Department call center at 703-267-3511 with Coronavirus questions; open 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello.
Office Phone: (703) 560-6946
Email us HERE if you would like events included in our newsletter or you would like a member of our team to join your HOA meeting.
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