To the Fairfax County Community,
Facts matter. Unfortunately there is still a significant amount of misinformation around the facts of this virus. The County launched a myth and rumor control page to make sure you have the correct information about COVID-19.
Also, I have gone back to answer many more questions from Tuesday's Twitter Q&A. Even without a Twitter account, you can read the answers here.
See below for the full April 16 edition. For the resources mentioned in past newsletters, visit my website. If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here. |
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Updates from Governor Northam
- Yesterday, the Governor extended Executive Order 53 until May 8 which defined closures for essential and non-essential businesses. Read the FAQ here.
- The stay-at-home order is still in effect until June 10.
- Northam also promised that he is working with Maryland, DC, and North Carolina to coordinate the appropriate time for any future reopenings.
Water
- We have received some questions regarding drinking water quality during this time. Because of existing water treatment requirements and water quality standards, municipal drinking water is safe for consumption and hand washing.
- Groundwater is also safe from COVID-19 because it undergoes natural processes to remove viruses, bacterial, and other microbial contaminants.
- Read more on drinking water from the Virginia Department of Health.
Price gouging and other scams
- As a result of Virginia's state of emergency, it's unlawful for any supplier to sell, lease or license, or to offer to sell, any necessary goods and services at an unconscionable price.
- Consumers can contact the Virginia Attorney General and Fairfax County Consumer Affairs for information or to file a complaint.
- Find contact information and learn more here.
Fairfax Connector
- Fairfax County is asking that passengers wear non-medical face coverings while riding Fairfax Connector buses.
- Service reductions and other updates can be found here.
Small Business Microloans
- On Tuesday, the Board authorized a microloan fund in which small businesses can apply for loans of up to $20,000 at 0% interest.
- I also asked staff to return to the Board with a proposal to extend similar resources to our County nonprofits.
- Microloans will serve second to federal funding for businesses that may not qualify.
- Applications will be taken starting April 28 and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Learn more here and how you can apply here.
Department of Family Services
- DFS is launching a Parent Support Line on Monday, April 20.
- Contact: 703-324-7720; buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov
- Offered M-F, 8 am - 4:30 pm
- The line will be staffed with members of the child abuse prevention team who will assist parents and caregivers looking for resources or who have parenting questions.
- Spanish-speaking team members are available and other languages will be supported.
Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
- Contracts will be signed shortly to secure three hotels with a total of 223 rooms to serve people experiencing homelessness who either:
- Tested positive for COVID-19
- Are symptomatic and pursuing testing or are awaiting testing for COVID-19
- Have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
- Are at high risk of serious illness
- Additional services are being procured this week for transportation, meal delivery, cleaning services, security, and more.
- People at the highest risk have begun transitioning.
Long-Term Care Facilities
- The Fairfax County Health Department is in contact with long-term care facilities before a case of COVID-19 occurs to reduce risk.
- If a case of COVID-19 does occur, engagement and support is ramped-up to reduce the risk of infection being transmitted.
- An experienced communicable disease physician or nurse provides guidance to the long-term care facility on issues like isolation of infected persons and contacts and recommendations for protective equipment of staff.
- A rapid response team is dispatched to the facility to provide training on best PPE use.
- A nurse also visits the facility daily to identify additional needs, ensure that measures to prevent infections are being rigorously applied, and to review whether anyone with symptoms needs to be tested.
- Facilities are also asked to communicate transparently with residents and their families.
- Read more here.
Other updates
- The Animal Shelter has begun the adoption process again through virtual adoptions. Read more.
- The Park Authority has launched the Virtual Exploration Center, which offers tools for kids to stay healthy, connected, and engaged from home.
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Common Health Questions:
- Not every case of coronavirus has symptoms, but those that do may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Some of the symptoms you might experience are below:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Continue to follow the health guidelines:
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if that isn't an option (especially when in public places)
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
- Don't touch your face
- Social distance
- What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
- The CDC recommends wearing non-medical masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read here for information and to learn how to best wear a mask and how to make your own.
Resources:
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As we have more information to share, my office and Fairfax County Government will continue to update residents.
Thank you for your support and patience as we work to manage this challenging, complex, and rapidly evolving situation.
Jeffrey C. McKay |
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