This Sunday, we remember the 2,977 victims of an act of unspeakable violence. The acts of 19 hijackers in New York, Pennsylvania, and here in Northern Virginia 21 years ago took from us neighbors, husbands, wives, parents, siblings, and children, some of them from Fairfax County. Fairfax County first responders from the Sheriff's Office, Police Department, and Fire and Rescue Department acted valiantly and deserve our eternal gratitude for their service on that day. As we approach September 11, 2022 and remember the souls we lost, we should also keep in our thoughts the first responders and families that still struggle with the aftermath of these terrible attacks.

COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccines Available

I encourage Braddock District residents to schedule an appointment to receive the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine at one of the many open Fairfax County sites. Eligible residents can register through the VAMS system, though walk-ins are available as well. The County issued a blog last Friday with an announcement and have updated the COVID-19 Vaccination website today to reflect the availability.

As a reminder, the updated Pfizer booster is available for people ages 12 and over, and the Moderna version is for people 18 and older.

Burke Centre Festival

This Saturday and Sunday, we celebrate the first Burke Centre Festival since the beginning of the pandemic. Burke Centre Festival is a celebration of this beautiful and award-winning community. The festival will feature a large Arts & Crafts Show, Fairfax County Police, Fire & Rescue displays, emergency preparedness area, live bands, dancing, roving characters, a wide variety of festival food vendors, amusement rides, pony rides, a nursing mom’s private tent, basketball toss, Midway-style games, tons of community booths, giveaways and drawings, a daytime and evening wine & beer garden with live music and much more. My office will also have a table present with County resources and to answer questions.

Conservancy Festival Grounds— 6060 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke, VA 22015

Saturday, September 10, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 11, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

A free shuttle bus service will be available along Burke Centre Pkwy, parking is also available at all 5 BCC community centers.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• Library Branch Hours Reminder
• Oak Hill Open House
• FCPD Updates
• The Economic Realities of Child Care
• Emergency Preparedness 
• Celebrate Communication 2022
• VolunteerFest 2022
• Voting Information and Events
• Transportation Updates
• Public Health Information

The Fairfax County Public Library system has adjusted its operating hours at all branches due to staff recruitment challenges. Beginning Sunday, August 14, the schedule was modified to one staff shift per day.

For regional library locations, the hours are

• Monday-Tuesday 1:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

For community library locations, the hours are

• Monday 1:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
• Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

This adjustment in operating hours has not affected the days of the week library branches are active, but decreases open hours on Mondays & Tuesdays at regional locations and Mondays at community locations to match available staffing levels.

On September 17, from noon–4:00 p.m., historic Oak Hill will be open to the public for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. This annual event continued virtually during the pandemic, but an in-person open house has not occurred since 2019. Parking will be offsite at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center, 4414 Holborn Avenue, Annandale. A free shuttle bus service will provide visitors with convenient transportation. Limited handicapped accessible parking is available at the site, located at the side entrance at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road.

In 2004, Oak Hill was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In the same year, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, and Seville Homes agreed to a historic and conservation easement to preserve the privately-owned Oak Hill home and property. As part of the agreement, the community is invited to visit the property each year to learn about its place in County history. Outdoor interpretative programs help educate visitors about the life and times at Oak Hill, including the enslaved people who worked at the property and historic incidents from the Civil War.

This Open House is made possible by the efforts of the Fairfax County Park Foundation, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

FCPD New Public Affairs and Outreach Staff

Last week, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) announced the hiring of Katherine Hayek as Public Affairs Director. Ms. Hayek joins FCPD after an extensive career with the Drug Enforcement Administration, where she recently served as a senior communications advisor and spokeswoman for the Washington Field Office. She will be bringing her communications background and law enforcement-related experience to Fairfax County.

FCPD is also pleased to introduce First Lieutenant Wahid Alam, Assistant Commander of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, as Muslim Community Liaison. Lt. Alam has worked in various capacities across the county throughout his 18 years with the department. He will reach out to businesses, groups and individuals to encourage conversations on behalf of the FCPD with the Muslim community.

Trunk or Treat 2022

Each year the FCPD has routinely hosted a trunk or treat event. This year’s main event will be on October 19, 2022, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

FCPD is looking for partners in the community to make this event a success! 

Chief Davis will choose the best trunk. It is their goal to have 500 kids present, so hopefully we can make this a success. This registration link will allow you sign up to participate in the event by decorating a trunk or giving out candy. FCPD will be able to set up trunks starting at 5:00 p.m.  

A video on child care from the Center for American Progress features Monica Jackson, Chair and Bradddock Representative on the Child Care Advisory Council.  Child care is one of the most significant costs plaguing families, and as the child care crisis rages on, both access and affordability are increasingly out of reach. President Joe Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act is a significant win in reducing costs for families, but without meaningful federal investments, this critical sector will continue to fall behind. As pandemic-era relief funds dwindle, families across the country will face a reality in which child care is no longer attainable. Yet the crisis does not only affect families. Providers and small-business owners across the country will also feel the burden of insufficient funds to sustain access to child care through greater difficulty in finding employees, preventing employee turnover, and paying workers enough to enable them to meet all the financial demands facing their families. A future with more closures, growing child care deserts, and fewer options for families means greater economic costs for communities everywhere.

Emergency Preparedness for Caregivers

The Department of Emergency Management and Security is partnering with the Department of Family Services to hold an Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Caregivers on September 14 at 12:00 p.m. This workshop will include panelists from the Department of Emergency Management and Security, Department of Public Safety Communications (911), Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County Police Department, and the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office. During the webinar caregivers will learn how each of these agencies plays a role in preparing for and responding to emergencies.

National Preparedness Month: Week Two

Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has taken steps to encourage all citizens to make their own survival preparations. In 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched the annual campaign, now known as National Preparedness Month, to remember the events of September 11th and highlight the importance of being prepared to the nation.  Each week in September, the National Preparedness Month campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families, and communities. The Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security (DEMS) will use the Community Emergency Response Guide (CERG) Series to walk residents through the steps to prepare.

This week's theme is Practice Your Plan! A plan is only useful if you know it. Take the time to test and practice your family plan, including having drills. Practice evacuating your home and sheltering in place. Studies show that people who have thought about and practiced their emergency plans are more likely to survive, and to recover more quickly from emergencies. 

VolunteerFest, a countywide day of service, will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Mark your calendars and register for family friendly service opportunities with local nonprofits. Volunteer Fairfax encourages people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to join in and give volunteering a try!

This annual event always caps a year of signature events organized by Volunteer Fairfax that bring together people across Fairfax County and the region to serve our communities through volunteerism. This year’s event comes at a time when the region and nation is moving into a post-pandemic environment. There is a revitalized sense of new beginnings as families and friends can gather more safely and give back to one’s community.

Registration

Registering to vote is easy. The deadline to register is October 17. Residents are welcome to come to the Braddock District office to complete a voter registration form in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean. Residents may also complete their voter registration online at the Department of Elections Registration website. Additionally, all branches of the Fairfax County Public Library will be hosting the League of Women Voters from 1:00–4:30 p.m. to register Fairfax County residents to vote on National Voter Registration Day (September 20).

Early Voting

This month, voters will begin to participate in 2022 midterm elections. In-person and mail-in early voting begins on September 23 and will continue through November 5, the Saturday before election day on November 8. For those voting by mail, please remember to mail your ballot at least one week before the date of the election. If you decide to vote early in-person, please be advised that the following locations in and near the Braddock District are open to voters on the following dates and times:

September 23–November 5 at the Government Center

Weekdays 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday (Only September 24, October 29, and November 5) 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sunday (Only October 30) 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Pkwy

Conference Rooms 2/3, Fairfax 22035

October 27–November 5 at Satellite Locations

Weekdays 1:00–7:00 p.m.

Saturday (Only October 29 and November 5) 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sunday (Only October 30) 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Burke Centre Library

5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke 22015

West Springfield Governmental Center

6140 Rolling Road, Springfield 22152

Mason Governmental Center        

6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 22003

For a full list of all Fairfax County early voting sites, visit the Fairfax County Early Voting website.

Volunteer as a Poll Worker— Vietnamese and Korean Speakers Needed

The Fairfax County Office of Elections needs bilingual election officers to assist voters in the General Election on November 8 and in future elections. Specifically, individuals who speak Vietnamese and English fluently or Korean and English fluently are encouraged to serve in Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church.

Officers will perform all regular election duties, including assisting voters in English, but will be assigned to precincts with a significant number of voters who may primarily speak Vietnamese or Korean. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment.

Fairfax County is the largest voting jurisdiction in Virginia with 264 precincts countywide. It takes thousands of enthusiastic and trained election officers to ensure that we have efficient and well-run elections. Compensation begins at $175, and training is provided online for new officers. To apply, visit the Vote4Fairfax website (be sure to indicate if you speak Vietnamese or Korean). Visit Working at the Polls for more information.

Route 50 I-66 Ramp

The ramp from Route 50 East to I-66 West is scheduled to be closed this weekend, beginning at 10:00 p.m. Friday, September 9, continuously through 5:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, for a traffic shift and permanent ramp opening. Traffic will be directed to continue farther east, stay to the left and use the left-most left turn lane to make a U-turn at the traffic signal at Waples Mill Road onto Route 50 West, then stay to the right and follow signs to I-66 West. This work is part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.

Drivers should expect delays if traveling in this area and consider using alternate routes. All work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur.

I-66 Express Lanes to Open from Route 29 in Gainesville to Route 28 in Centreville

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Commonwealth’s private partner, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP), and the design-build contractor, FAM Construction, announced plans today to open the western-most segment of the new 66 Express Lanes during the weekend of September 10. The exact opening date will be announced in the coming days, as crews work to complete weather-dependent final preparations.

The nine-mile western stretch of 66 Express Lanes spans from Route 29 in Gainesville to Route 28 in Centreville, and features multiple new ramps providing direct access to and from the express lanes. The remaining 13 miles of new express lanes along I-66 between Route 28 and I-495 (the Capital Beltway) are scheduled to open in December 2022.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update — Omicron Resistant Bivalent Booster

Following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting last week, the CDC recommends a single dose of the new COVID-19 bivalent booster at least two months following a completed primary series or previous booster vaccination. The bivalent vaccines, also known as “updated boosters,” target the Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, as well as the original COVID-19 strain. The updated Pfizer booster is for people ages 12 and over and the Moderna version for people 18 and older.

The Fairfax County Health Department has received and is accepting appointments for the bivalent booster.

Additionally, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been approved and is now available for adolescents ages 12-17.

Read more on the County’s Emergency Blog.

Novavax Vaccine Available to Individuals Over 18 Years of Age

Adults 18 years of age and older who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine and are interested in getting one can now make an appointment for the recently authorized Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted. Due to limited availability, Novavax will only be offered by appointment.

You can schedule an appointment at the Fairfax County Government Center or the Fairfax County South County Hyland Center vaccination clinics by visiting www.vaccines.gov or by calling the COVID-19 call center at (703) 324-7404. Novavax is administered as a two-dose primary series, three weeks apart. More information on the COVID-19 vaccine is available at the Fairfax County Emergency Blog.

COVID-19 Information



If you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, effective treatment is available that can prevent illness from becoming worse, leading to hospitalization and death.

An expert panel of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified Paxlovid (ritonavir boosted nirmatrelvir) as the preferred therapy with strong evidence supporting its use. In a randomized clinical trial, Paxlovid was 88% effective in preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19 among high-risk patients. In that trial, there were no deaths among people who received Paxlovid compared with 12 deaths among those who received a placebo.

Fairfax residents continue to be encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine and stay up-to-date on their boosters. If you are eligible for a vaccination or a booster, please visit the federal resource page for COVID-19 vaccines or book an appointment through the Fairfax County Health Department. Vaccines are available to all individuals over 6 months of age.

If you tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed, it is important to take the steps recommended by the Fairfax County Health Department to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in your family and in the community.

Check the most up-to-date COVID figures at the Virginia Department of Health website.

The mobile testing lab launched July 5 and rotates between sites each day. Tests are available on the following days and times at these locations:

Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Both Locations

• Centreville Library: 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville
• Bailey’s Community Center: 5920 Summers Lane, Falls Church

Wednesdays and Saturdays

Both Locations

• Richard Byrd Library: 7250 Commerce St., Springfield (Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m.–6:00p.m.)
• Groveton Baptist Church: 6511 Richmond Highway, Alexandria (Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)

Thursdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sundays 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Both Locations

• New Grand Mart: 6255 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria
• James Lee Community Center: 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church

Receive free at-home tests from the Postal Service.

Receive free vision-impaired at-home tests from the Postal Service.

Check your at-home tests for their extended expiration date.

For more COVID-19 information:

• Contact the Health Department COVID-19 Call Center during business hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at (703) 267-3511.

• Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.

• Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Monkeypox

As Monkeypox has become of greater concern to Fairfax County residents in the past weeks, the County has released resources and information on the Monkeypox virus. The Fairfax County Health Department is working with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and with other local public health agencies to respond to outbreaks of monkeypox occurring in the U.S. and in other countries.

What is Monkeypox?

According to the CDC and FCHD, monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Disease can spread through close contact including: 

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with monkeypox rash or scabs.
• Body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
• Sexual contact including kissing.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• Exposure to respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox Signs and Symptoms

Illness usually begins about 6-13 days after exposure, but possibly as long as 17 days, and can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion

After 1-3 days of illness, a rash develops progressing from red bumps to fluid filled sores (vesicles) and pustules. There may only be several monkeypox sores or the sores may be widespread. The rash may be located on or near the genitals or anus, but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

Monkeypox in Fairfax County

Since May 2022, a global outbreak of monkeypox has occurred. As of Thursday, September 8, there have been 81 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Fairfax County. To date, monkeypox has been rare in children nationwide; in Virginia, monkeypox cases have ranged in age from 18-70.