Dear Neighbor,

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases, you can now order free at-home COVID-19 tests directly to your home. Provided by the federal government, there are no shipping costs and you don't need to enter a credit card number. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. You should take a test:

In addition, individuals who purchase tests commercially (at a store or online) may also submit receipts for reimbursement through their private insurance plans starting Saturday, January 22. Private health insurers are now required to cover up to eight at-home tests per month. Contact your insurance company to learn more.

You can also continue reading below for more information on how you can get tested at the main Fairfax County Government Center.

On January 13, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) presented alternative concepts for three major intersections along the Braddock Road corridor: Rolling Road, Wakefield Chapel Road/Danbury Forest Drive, and Burke Lake Road. For anyone who would like to review the meeting recording, you can watch the video below. You can also view the project slideshow.

For each intersection, VDOT has identified four design options:

Residents and those who travel through the Braddock Road corridor are asked to provide input on the design options via an online survey either in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese. The virtual public information meeting comment deadline period has been extended until Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Given the complexity of the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvement project, it's useful for residents to review the full history of the project detailed on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) website, with particular attention to the plans for these five segments of Braddock Road. With the exception of the Wakefield Chapel Road/Danbury Forest Drive intersection, these plans reflect the Base Options presented by VDOT. VDOT's Base Option for that intersection is the R-CUT design outlined in our August 2020 Community Meeting.

You can also review plans, survey results, and information from all previous meetings on the FCDOT website, as well as the Final Braddock Road Multimodal Study Report.

Continue reading below for more information on:

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

On January 15, a Community Testing Center (CTC) opened in parking lot B of the Fairfax County Government Center. Those seeking a PCR test may check for an appointment, often available on the same day. The CTC operates Saturdays through Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. by appointment only.

The at-home tests and CTC complement other testing opportunities (retail pharmacies, primary care providers, and private laboratories) in the Fairfax Health District which can be found here.

Appointments typically become available 24 hours in advance. If you do not see openings, check back frequently as appointments are added regularly. Anyone who makes an appointment but cannot keep it or finds testing elsewhere is asked to cancel their CTC appointment so that the slot will be free for someone else.

CTC test results will be automatically sent via text or email message to individuals being tested, based on the information provided in the appointment system. PCR test results are usually available within a few days and are very effective in detecting an active COVID-19 infection, even if a person is asymptomatic (not showing signs of illness).

To learn more about COVID-19 testing, visit the VDH COVID-19 Testing webpage.

Message from Fairfax County Public School Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand to the community:

Dear FCPS Community,

As we return to school after the holiday weekend, we want to let you know that FCPS will continue universal masking for all students and staff

Fairfax County Public Schools continues to require universal mask wearing in alignment with CDC guidance. Our layered prevention strategies have proven effective in keeping transmission rates low in our schools. We know our students are best served by in-person instruction. Adhering to our layered prevention strategies, especially universal masking, keeps our schools open and safe places for students to learn.

FCPS is reviewing Governor Youngkin’s executive order issued this weekend. As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to share any updated information with you around FCPS COVID-19 practices and protocols as needed. You can review current health and safety guidelines on our website.

Sincerely,

Scott S. Brabrand

Superintendent

Fairfax County Public Schools

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and the Fairfax Caregiver Seminar Consortium are pleased to announce their 2022 Caregiver Webinar Series. The webinar series are designed to support family caregivers of older adults and/or adults with a disability.

The first webinar begins Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. through 1:00 p.m. Learn more about the webinars by visiting the Fairfax County website.

Speakers include experts in law, care management, finances

and community resources. The webinars are easily accessed

through your computer or telephone.

Please join Fairfax County to get helpful information and resources. All are welcome.

Webinars are usually recorded, so if you are unable to join us live,

please register and a recording will be sent to you if available.

The County would appreciate hearing from you if you have attended any of the

seminars in the past and whether the seminars were helpful. Email your comments to Caregiver@fairfaxcounty.gov.

For the past two years, a community/public/private group has been working together to provide safe spaces for county residents to talk about mental, physical, social and financial wellness through virtual events. One of the successes of this partnership has been the Real Talk Barbershop conversations, in which local businesses have held discussions about mental health and suicide prevention – issues that are often overshadowed and underrepresented in the Black community.

The Black Mental Health Steering Committee has worked to increase knowledge of and access to mental health services for the African American community, including three examples outlined below:

If you are interested in hosting similar conversations at your place of business on promoting positive mental health, or have ideas for future conversations, contact the Black Mental Health Steering Committee at CSBPrevention@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee will be hosting a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. These meetings help to enhance communication between the residents and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). It also offers residents a chance to dialogue with the officers of the West Springfield Station.

The meeting speaker will be a representative of the FCPD Victim Services Division. The topic will be "How Victim Services helps and supports the victims of crime in the county". The meeting will be held via Zoom, can be found below.

This is a free program, and all ages are welcome to attend. The meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (except for July and August).

If you have any questions, contact PFC Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.

Join using this meeting link.

Password: 119455

Todos los hogares de EE.UU. son elegibles para ordenar 4 pruebas caseras GRATUITAS de COVID-⁠19.

Las pruebas casaras de COVID-19 serán enviadas a su casa.

Pida sus pruebas ahora para tenerlas cuando las necesite.