February 5, 2022
To the Fairfax County Community,
 
This was a difficult week for Virginians. Two officers at Bridgewater College in central Virginia were fatally shot on Tuesday. While at a meeting with colleagues from across the Commonwealth, I offered my condolences to officials from Rockingham County. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the officers who were killed and to the Bridgewater College community.

There are a number of conversations and issues that must be discussed as a result of this tragedy. Right now, I want to focus on mental health. As I have said in a past newsletter, due to the pandemic, many of us have faced isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty, and it takes a toll on our wellbeing. This increase in mental health problems combined with less access to services can result in tragedies like we saw this week.

I want to be clear however that in Fairfax County we have the resources to address these issues. We want our residents to access those resources, and know that they are available whenever needed. Learn more about what is available here.
Vaccine Data
Data source: CDC
  • With our high vaccination rates, our community has much to be proud of. But, our work is not done. COVID-19, and the threat of new, and possibly more contagious variants, is unfortunately not going away. Vaccinations significantly lower the risk of hospitalization and death; they’re free, easy to find, and it’s not too late.
  • Sign up for your appointment here.
  • I want to share some data, seen above, published by the CDC. The data is from 25 jurisdictions across the United States, and looks at the rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths among adults unvaccinated, fully vaccinated, and fully vaccinated with a booster. You can review the study here.
  • COVID-19 cases (left chart): The number of cases for those vaccinated and vaccinated with a booster are far less than for those unvaccinated.
  • If you are not vaccinated, you are close to 14 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than a fully vaccinated person with a booster and 4 times more likely to contract it than a fully vaccinated person without a booster.
  • COVID-19 deaths (right chart): The data shows that vaccination status is truly the difference between life or death.
  • Those who are not vaccinated and contract COVID-19 are at a risk of death 78 times higher than for those who have received a booster shot, and 13 times higher than for those who are fully vaccinated, without a booster.
One University
  • We broke ground on an exciting and innovative affordable housing project called One University, on the edge of the George Mason University campus.
  • What makes this project special is that it combines units for seniors, families, and students.
  • 120 Affordable Senior units
  • 120 Affordable Multifamily Units
  • 333 Student Housing Units
  • One University therefore adds another 240 apartments towards the county’s goal of producing a minimum of 5,000 new affordable homes by 2034.
  • This types of housing is crucial for Fairfax County's economy. Access to housing should be a right. When everyone can afford a safe place to live, the community and economy all benefit.
  • You can learn more about the project here and in the video below.
Crime Data
  • Because of the work of our dedicated police department and their strong collaboration with the community, in 2021 we saw reductions in most major crime categories. While these crime numbers are not yet final, the crime summary (the final report will be out in a few months), FCPD found that overall crime fell by 9.6% in 2021, compared to 2020.
  • The drop in crime resulted in 3,187 fewer victims, compared to 2020.
  • Chief Davis recently provided a brief snapshot of crime data from the beginning of 2022, compared to the beginning of 2021:
  • 23% ’22 vs. ’21 crime reduction (2,116 vs. 2,765 crimes…OR…649 fewer victims)
  • 2 homicides 2022 v. 0 2021 (both cases closed with arrests / defendants and victims known to each other)
  • 11% robbery reduction
  • 28% burglary reduction
  • 75% carjacking reduction
  • 13% domestic assault reduction
  • 18% sex assault reduction
  • 11% theft from automobile reduction
  • 25% auto theft increase
  • 3% calls for service increase
  • Fatal overdoses = 5 ’22 vs. 4 ‘21
  • Nonfatal overdoses = 20 ’22 vs. 25 ‘21
VDOT potholes and hazards
Have you experienced on I-66 ...
Potholes
Road hazards
None
  • Did You Know? My office has fielded a number of complaints from residents who are having problems with potholes. When you see a pothole, you can report it to the Virginia Department of Transportation here or by calling 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623).
  • If you incur damage from a pothole, you can file a claim for damage to your vehicle at the same link as above here.
  • In addition, some of my staff who regularly drive up and down Interstate 66 have noticed some unsafe conditions with potholes and construction. Have you had any concerns? If so, please share them with us at chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov and answer the poll above.
Annual Native Tree and Shrub Sale
  • On March 1, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) will begin accepting orders for their annual seedling sale. All seedlings are native to Northern Virginia and were selected with advice from our friends at the Fairfax County Urban Forestry Management Division and Virginia Department of Forestry.  
  • NVSWCD has provided a low-cost option for residents to purchase native seedlings to enhance the urban forest and support local environmental stewardship and engagement programs. Proceeds from the sale help support engagement programs offered by NVSWCD that reinforce Fairfax County’s Environment Vision.
  • You can review the offerings and order here starting March 1.
One package includes seedlings for the eastern redbud, a beautiful native tree that attracts butterflies, small mammals, and songbirds.

Read more about the redbud and other seedling offerings here.
Community Member Spotlight
Keira D'Amato is a former Fairfax County resident and Oakton High School student. Now 37, Keira has broken the women's record American time in a marathon. At a marathon in Houston, Texas a couple of weekends ago, she did the 26.2 mile run in just 2 hours and 19 minutes. For comparison, the woman's global average time for a marathon is 4 hours and 42 minutes.

Congratulations Keira!
Photo from Linda D'Amato.
Health
Vaccine Resources:


COVID-19 Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
Sincerely,
Jeff McKay
Contact my Office

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov
| 703.324.2321 |
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