Board of Supervisors - Chairman

Friends,

Last week I was invited by the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office to visit the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. There I was joined by local leaders and members of the US House Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus to learn more about the different programs we have that focus on inmate reform and recovery.

We want to ensure that when someone enters our criminal justice system, they have everything they need to turn their life around so that when they do go out, they will never come back. One of the programs that was highlighted during my visit was the STAR Program. Launched by Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, the Striving to Achieve Recovery (STAR) program is a voluntary program that is led by certified peer specialists with support from jail-based medical and behavioral health professionals. This program helps inmates with histories of drug-involved arrests and chronic substance use. Inmates live together in a housing unit that serves as a therapeutic community where they assume responsibility not only for their own recovery, but also for the recovery of their peers, working collectively to hold each other accountable.

Ensuring that inmates who are leaving our custody and reentering society have the necessary resources and support they need doesn't just positively impact their individual lives, it also helps reduce crimes as a whole within our community. I am proud of the work that is being done by our Sheriff’s Office. Our programs serve as a shining example of how other localities can help inmates reform successfully.

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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

In a 8-1 vote, the Board passed my motion to support the Fairfax County School Board in their decision to require masks in school only until such time as it is safe to not require them. You can read the full item I introduced here.

To the Fairfax County Community,

On Wednesday, the 2022 session of the General Assembly began and the new state leadership begins their term on Saturday. I want to thank Governor Northam for his service to the Commonwealth and I look forward to finding common ground and working with Governor Youngkin and his administration.

While Fairfax County does not introduce laws to the General Assembly, we do work with our legislators to lobby for the needs of our residents, especially during session. This includes opportunities to fund the priorities of local government.

With the state having a budget surplus this year, we are hopeful that we can make progress in areas where there are great needs for state investment. Two of these areas include funding for education and mental health. You can see our entire legislative package here.

To the Fairfax County Community,

A year ago today, our U.S. Capitol was attacked. The violence threatened our Vice President, members of Congress, Senators, police officers, Hill staffers, and the other employees inside that building who work every day on our behalf.

Sadly that day, one police officer died, others have since committed suicide, and dozens more still live with the physical and emotional scars. Some of these officers were even part of our Fairfax County community. My thoughts are with their families and friends today.

Our trust in the stability of our democratic process was also shaken on January 6. It is important for all of us to remember across the political spectrum, that democracy is something we must always defend. As we move forward, humility, empathy, and listening to one another is how we must come together. While I know that I will never forget what happened on January 6, 2021, we must always remember that our strong democratic values are what makes our country special.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Yesterday, the Board received an update from the Health Department regarding the omicron variant of COVID-19, COVID-19 caseloads, and our continued vaccination efforts. I detail that information below.

This certainly isn't where we would like to be close to two years after the pandemic began in the United States. We still have a lot to learn about this virus, but we have a powerful public health tool at our fingertips: the vaccine. In Fairfax County we are proud to have administered over 1.9 million vaccine doses and urge that everyone get vaccinated or get their booster (if eligible) as soon as possible. This will strengthen a critical layer of defense against COVID-19, as more contagious variants emerge.

As I always say, the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and death. Everyone must participate to achieve the highest level or immunity in our community to slow the spread of the virus and to keep people out of the hospitals. Please, sign up for your vaccine appointment here.

It's heartbreaking to think of the thousands that will not be with us this holiday season and many may be fearful to see their families and friends. While I urge you to be careful and thoughtful over these next few weeks, there are things you can do, like get tested, to make sure you gather safely. Read the Health Department's guidance here.

To the Fairfax County Community,

I hope your holiday season is off to a safe and healthy start!

This has been a confusing couple of weeks parsing through the news of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. There is a lot of information we do not know yet about Omicron, but we don't want people to panic. Researchers around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.

As part of ongoing disease surveillance, CDC and the Virginia Department of Health are closely monitoring the emergence of this variant. To see Variants of Concern that have been identified in Virginia, visit the VDH Variants Dashboard.

That said, with the emergence of the Omicron variant, the Fairfax County Health Department joins the CDC in strengthening our recommendation that individuals 18 and older get a booster shot. People should get their booster either six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after their initial J&J vaccine.

Getting vaccinated reduces your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death; it also helps reduce the spread of the virus in the communities.

Sign up for your appointment here.

In addition, the Board met today. You may review today's full Board package here.

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To the Fairfax County Community,

In case you missed it, on Friday the CDC recommended expanding eligibility for a booster dose of both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for all adults age 18 and up. This means that any adult who received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months earlier can receive a booster dose. As a reminder, all persons who received the Johnson & Johnson single dose COVID-19 vaccine are already eligible for a booster dose at least two months after the initial. You can learn more about the change and how to schedule your next vaccine appointment here.

On a different note, I wanted to share some of the Board's work decriminalizing and treating mental health and substance abuse. Due to the pandemic, many of us have faced isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty, and it takes a toll on our wellbeing. (You can find general mental health resources here.) This increase in mental health problems combined with less access to services, has partly led to a record high number of deaths in the US caused by drug overdoses. We have seen sadly similar trends in Fairfax County:

• Following a significant decrease in the number of fatal opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District from 2017 to 2019, unfortunately in 2020, the number of fatal opioid overdoses increased to 94 (most of these involved fentanyl which is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine).
• Statewide from 2019 to 2020, there has been a 47% increase in fatal opioid overdoses and about 87% involved fentanyl.
• The number of emergency department visits for heroin and non-heroin opioid overdoses also was significantly higher in the state and the Fairfax Health District in 2020 relative to 2019. The data available for 2021 so far is trending higher than the same time period in 2020.

The Board and Fairfax County are committed to making accessible resources for mental health treatment. Recently, the Board acted on a settlement agreement with Attorney General Mark Herring to hold pharmaceutical companies responsible for the opioid crisis that enabled this surge in 2020 to occur. This money will continue to help abate the harmful impacts of the opioid crisis.

To further our work, we know how crucial it is the invest in our Community Services Board that provides services to people with mental illness. That's why in FY2017 for example, we devoted more funding (over $113 million) to our CSB than Arlington, Loudoun, Alexandria, Virginia Beach, and Prince William counties combined.

Below, I outline some programs we have in Fairfax County that work to divert mental illness away from the criminal justice system and additionally our work to reduce drug overdoses.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Children ages 5-11 are finally eligible to be vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine! I'm proud in Fairfax County that over 83% of our residents 18 and up have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and over 85% of our kids ages 12-17 have done the same. It has been great to see lines of excited families waiting to get vaccinated at the Government Center. The vaccine is safe and effective and the best path forward for returning life back to normal.

Yesterday, I was honored to join the First Lady of the United States Jill Biden and the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy at Franklin Sherman Elementary School to celebrate kids who were vaccinated at school.

• There are multiple opportunities to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Fairfax. Most sites will be providing the vaccine by appointment only at this time. These include:
• Pediatric and Family Medicine Providers: call your child’s doctor to make an appointment.
• Pharmacies, grocery stores, and urgent care facilities: visit vaccines.gov (www.vacunas.gov) to search for a vaccine appointment.
• Health Department Vaccination Centers: visit the website to make an appointment, or call 703-324-7404 if you need assistance.
• Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 22035
• Mount Vernon District Office (Gerry Hyland Government Center), 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, 22309
• Tysons Community Vaccination Center, 7950 Tysons Corner Center, Tysons: Visit here or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 711). Appointment assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.
• Inova Children Vaccination Clinic: visit here to make an appointment for weekend clinics at the Inova Center for Personalized Health, 8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax.
• When looking for an appointment, be sure to search for Pfizer pediatric vaccine since it is the only vaccine currently available for use in children 5-11 years old. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or another adult at all community vaccination sites.
• Learn more here.

In addition, the Board met today. You may review today's full Board package here.

To the Fairfax County Community,

I was proud to join members of our Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team to collect donations of winter coats for Fairfax County families. We have partnered with Operation Warm to distribute 3,000 new winter jackets. Read more about this annual event in this WTOP article.

I also wanted to remind you of a couple key dates in the coming weeks.

• Make your voice heard! Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 2 and there is still time to vote early or deliver your mail-in ballot. You may no longer request a mail-in ballot, however. I outlined voting options in last week's newsletter.
• The Board will hold a public hearing on Nov. 9 for feedback on all 64 maps proposed for redistricting.
• How can you provide input?
• View the proposed maps here.
• Email me at chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov or the Clerk to the Board ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Sign up for the public hearing here

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