Dear Providence Residents,
Keeping our community safe is the number one priority as we head into the winter, and with COVID-19 cases growing. There is more hope than ever that a vaccine can be widely distributed next year, but until then we must make sacrifices to protect each other from this virus. Fairfax County released safe Thanksgiving guidelines. The safest way to celebrate is to enjoy a warm, intimate Thanksgiving dinner with the people who live in your household.
Chairman McKay shared an informative COVID-19 Fairfax County status update that I included below. I've also included an exciting announcement: there is a new purple bin for glass recycling at the Dunn Loring Education Center. Lastly, I want to thank our incredible poll workers and volunteers for safely and efficiently working the polls for early voting and election day. You are a shining example of democracy at its finest and I thank you for your hard work!
You can find the following Providence District updates in this week's edition of the newsletter:
- COVID-19 Status Report
- Fairfax Economic Recovery
- New Purple Bin for Glass Recycling at Dunn Loring Center
- FCPS Walking Wednesdays
- 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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COVID-19 Status Update from Chairman McKay |
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- Our cases are increasing, however we have not yet seen the surge in disease transmission that has occurred across the country.
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Our community transmission level has increased from low to moderate.
- Why has this increase occurred?
- Our case investigators are seeing more exposures occurring in work places, at celebratory events and gatherings, and within households.
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This trend is similar to those found in research by the CDC, which suggests that household contacts and indoor gatherings are common sources of COVID-19 transmission.
- What can you do?
- People are experiencing COVID fatigue, which is understandable, but this is when spread occurs.
- We must continue to stay home when sick, social distance, wear masks, and hand wash frequently.
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This is particularly important as the holidays near. Controlling COVID cases will be crucial to continuing to allow the economy and schools to open.
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See Fairfax County's guidelines for a safe Thanksgiving.
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Percent Positives Tests
- For the past two weeks the percent positivity rate has been above 5%. For the week of October 25, the percent positivity is 5.22%.
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Hospitalizations
- Hospitalizations for COVID-related illness remain low, however, a recent small increase has been observed.
Testing
- Since early July, testing totals have remained above 10,000 tests per week among Fairfax Health District residents.
- 5,912 tests have been reported that were collected during the week of October 25.
Contact Tracing
- As of November 4, 382 of 404 contract COVID response staff have been hired.
- Additional cohorts will occur as necessary to fill vacancies and address response needs.
Hospital Beds and Intensive Care
- Overall available hospital beds were at 18%. This is a 6% decrease from the October 19 report.
- A fluctuating trend averaging near 20% in available adult critical care beds has been observed.
Personal Protective Equipment
- PPE for hospitals appears to continue to be adequate.
- PPE for outpatient/private practice/long term care facilities continues to be a challenge.
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Fairfax County Economic Recovery |
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The Board had a meeting of the Economic Initiatives Committee on Tuesday. We were presented with an update on a study we requested to support the development of an economic recovery strategy. This is in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. You can read the presentation here.
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- Economic impacts by the numbers:
- Fairfax County experienced a job loss of about 48,200 jobs. 30,500 jobs have been regained. However, the labor force has shrunk by 22,000 workers and unemployment is above 2019 levels.
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In the graph above you can see that job losses have not been experienced evenly across industries. The majority of job losses were concentrated in just a few sectors including Accommodations and Food Services – which lost more than 12,000 jobs or 26% of its entire workforce – as well as Health Care, Retail Trade, and Administrative Services.
- Residents in Fairfax County are still primarily working remote and spending 40% less time at their workplaces.
- Residents are spending 22% less time visiting retail shops and restaurants, and consumer spending has decreased by 14%.
- In the DC area, 38% of small businesses have either temporarily or permanently closed. For businesses that remain open, revenue is down 55%.
- Total passenger activity at National and Dulles Airports is down 64%.
- Just as the COVID-19 virus has had greater impacts on communities of color and low-income households, economic impacts are similar.
- Job losses were disproportionately concentrated in sectors with relatively low wages, which means that workers who were already relatively more vulnerable were the most likely to lose employment. 90% of all job losses in the County took place in industries with average annual wages less than 80% area median income.
- Job losses were also disproportionately concentrated in sectors with relatively more diverse workforces and higher concentrations of workers of color. 63% of all job losses in Fairfax took place in industries with higher-than-average shares of workers that represent people of color.
- What's next?
- The study has identified patterns of challenges and needs in establishing an equitable economic recovery. Those are outlined in the image below.
- The contractor performing the study will develop strategies that are responsive to identified needs and challenges and supported by economic analysis. Strategies will then be prioritized based on capacity, cost, implementation complexity, and alignment with County goals.
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New Purple Bin for Glass Recycling at Dunn Loring Center |
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I have an exciting announcement: A new purple glass recycling bin is now open to serve the Providence District! The purple recycling bin is located at the Dunn Loring Education Center at 2334 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring, VA.
Here by popular demand, we are thrilled to provide the community a way to recycle glass, closer to Tysons and Falls Church. A special thanks goes to The County’s Solid Waste Management Team, School Board Rep Karl Frisch and our friends at FCPS for agreeing to host the site.
A map showing Purple Bin locations can be found HERE.
Click the image below to view the video announcement:
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November’s Walking Wednesday Celebrates Ruby Bridges
November’s event is dedicated to Ruby Bridges, the elementary student who, as the first African American student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, was escorted to school by federal marshals in 1960.
Find more information HERE from FCPS’ Safe Routes to School Program.
Click the image below to view our Walking Wednesday's video:
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I-66 – Beginning at 9 p.m. November 13, there will be lane closures and stops of up to 10 minutes for drivers heading west on I-66 from RT. 123 to Jermantown Road. Lanes will open by 6 a.m. Saturday. Details
Cedar Lane Bridge to open mid-December – For details, please go here.
American Legion Bridge and I-495 NEXT - A virtual public meeting will be held Nov. 18, 2020 from 7- 9 p.m. by VDOT and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Go here to learn more and find out how to attend the meeting. Also, the public comment period about I-495 NEXT has been extended until Dec. 4, 2020. Go here and find out how to include comments.
Fairfax Connector Public Survey Virtual Meetings next week – Three meetings will be held to hear and receive the public’s comments on improving bus service, routes, schedules, pros, and cons in Tysons, Vienna, Centreville, and Chantilly which will precede the development of a final preferred alternative for Fairfax Connector bus service. At this link you can learn how to participate, submit comments, and take an online survey. Dates and times for the meetings are Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, 12 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 19, 7:00 p.m.
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5p.m. opens, 7:30 show starts
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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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