Board of Supervisors - Chairman

To the Fairfax County Community,

I hope you were able to stay safe during our brush with Tropical Storm Isaias. This month the Board doesn't have any scheduled Board meetings and I will be reducing the number of email updates I send to once a week, unless there is a significant change or update that you need to know about. As news and information picks up in September, we will likely resume past email schedules.

This does not change however the urgency of COVID-19 and the importance of caring for yourself and others. COVID-19 is transmitted largely through respiratory droplets that can be carried through the air when coughing, talking, singing, or even breathing. We know how to mitigate the risk though; that hasn't changed. If we hope to see continued stability in our case numbers, everyone, including young people, must continue to wear masks, wash our hands, social distance, and get tested and stay home when you are sick. Today, Governor Northam announced a new app, COVIDWISE, which will notify you if you have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. This app does not track or store private information or your location. The more widespread the use of the app by Virginians, the more helpful it will be.

As a reminder, you can track our progress by looking at the Fairfax County case data dashboard and the Northern Virginia region's case data dashboard.

See below for the full August 5 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

As I mentioned in Tuesday's newsletter and as stated by Governor Northam, Fairfax County's COVID-19 data continues to be stable. There haven't been any concerning increases in cases nor has there been a noticeable decrease. I ask for these updates from the Health Department so I can monitor the data along with them in the hopes of avoiding the setbacks occurring in Hampton Roads. I also want our residents to be fully aware of where we stand.

This situation can change however. Until there is a vaccine we will have to be aware of that possibility. We all have to continue to social distance, wear masks, wash our hands, and stay home when sick to lower our chances of getting ourselves and our loved ones sick.

See below for the full July 30 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Due to the rise in the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in Hampton Roads, Governor Northam announced today new public safety restrictions in that region. The increase has been primarily driven by those in their 20s and younger who have not been social distancing.

This decision, although not applicable to Northern Virginia, is a reminder that this pandemic is not behind us. There is still significant risk and although our region's data is positive at this time, this can change if we are not cautious and not taking precautions. To help prevent spikes in cases we must continue to social distance, wash our hands, and wear face masks (which is required!). I'll provide an update on Fairfax County's data in Thursday's newsletter.

See below for the full July 28 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

It was a privilege today to meet with local leaders from the Latino community to discuss the issues they are facing such as the disparity in COVID-19 cases, concerns over evictions, and the pandemic's impact on small businesses.

With COVID-19 cases for example, we have come a long way since the beginning of the pandemic. Disparity still exists, but the gap is much smaller. In April, 56% of those who identified as Hispanic and received a COVID-19 test in the Fairfax Health District tested positive. In June, the percentage of positive cases dropped to 20%.

We still have much to do before we see the end of COVID-19, but I look forward to continuing this dialogue with the community. As a County, we are always working to improve our programs to better meet the needs of all of our residents. Thank you to leaders from CASA, Edu Futuro, LULAC, the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Virginia Latino Advisory Board for joining me for such an important discussion.

See below for the full July 23 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Today, the Fairfax County Public School Superintendent recommended to the School Board that FCPS begin the school year virtually. I know there are differing opinions on this topic among School Board members and I respect the hard choices that have to be made. As a parent of two FCPS students myself, like so many families and teachers, I have also struggled for the right answer.

In light of this, I wanted to discuss our collaboration with FCPS as we prepare for the fall. During this process, I have offered the support of the Board and continue to be in conversation with the School Board Chair and the Superintendent. Our Health Department has also been meeting weekly with FCPS staff since February and has met with the School Board at least three times recently to provide information and help with guidance.

FCPS must use the critical health data we have presented to them as well as many other factors to decide the best way to return to school.

We all want to be as safe as possible. Frankly, as much as I wish the Health Department had all the answers, they do not. In fact this pandemic has proven to be a daily roller coaster that is not easily predictable.

In last Thursday's newsletter, I detailed Fairfax County's data. It is looking positive. Our Health Department is working on all cylinders to expand contact tracing and testing capacity to make sure we are ready for the months ahead. Whatever the decision may be, it does not replace protective behaviors such as social distancing, hand washing, and wearing a mask. We must continue to work together to slow this virus. I look forward to continuing to work with FCPS to support their decision once its final and help in all ways possible to support the community as we move forward in this new world.

See below for the full July 21 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

I wanted to give you an update on how our case data is looking. As I mentioned in Tuesday's newsletter, Fairfax County is looking good and continuing to improve. At the beginning of this pandemic, Fairfax Health District had one of the highest percentages of positive cases statewide; we now have one of the lowest.

We must continue to be diligent however; social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing a face mask are still crucial. There is growing evidence that supports the effectiveness of face masks, including in a recent CDC editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association. They reviewed case studies like in Missouri where two hair stylists had COVID-19, but didn’t spread the disease to any of their clients because both employees and customers were required to wear face coverings. Read more on face coverings here.

See below for the full July 16 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Today, the Board returned to in-person meetings for the first time in months now that we are in phase three of reopening. We followed strict social distancing guidelines and required that every person in the room wear a mask. It wasn't ideal, but they were the actions that we all must take to continue to reduce cases of COVID-19.

We have come a long way and must continue to be diligent as we see spikes in other places. In fact, hours ago, I received some good news. While at the beginning of this pandemic, Fairfax County Health District had one of the highest percentages of the statewide positive cases, we now have one of the lowest. This is because of the care our residents are taking and the significant work of our Health Department.

See below for the full July 14 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Due to the pandemic and the economic crisis we are in, many in our community have been unable to pay their rent. It's disturbing that in the midst of a public health crisis of a global scale, that there are many who must also fear losing their home. I recently supported the Governor's request to further extend the moratorium on evictions by sending a letter to the Chief Judge of the Fairfax County General District Court. Unfortunately, the Courts will not be able to support this extension and eviction proceedings return tomorrow.

The Board and County staff are working to keep as many people out of the eviction process as possible. Below, I outline what you need to know on evictions and the resources available. Please, if you or someone you know is unable to pay their rent, share this information with them.

See below for the full July 9 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Happy (almost) 4th of July. I hope you have the opportunity to relax and have fun outside. I do want to use this opportunity however to remind residents that regardless of our entry into Phase 3, it is safer to be home, be in small groups, and to wear a mask. For example, although gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed, that doesn't mean you have to be in one. Fairfax County has put together some tips for holiday safety here.

See below for the full July 2 edition of my newsletter. 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.

To the Fairfax County Community,

Last week, Governor Northam announced Virginia will be entering Phase 3 of reopening. Many have asked why Northern Virginia didn't delay entering Phase 3 and the answer lies in the data which I outlined in last Thursday's newsletter and in the work of the Health Department, which was detailed during today's Health and Human Services Committee meeting. We continue to improve upon the metrics that the Governor outlined at the beginning of this process.

In addition, Northern Virginia acts as a region. One county can't act on its own. We have sufficient space at our hospitals, we have adequate PPE, there is testing capacity for everyone who needs it, and we are building our infrastructure to conduct contact tracing for the next year.

I understand concerns however, the surges of cases in Florida and Texas are troubling. Today, Governor Northam responded by prohibiting congregating in bars. Despite this update, it is safer to stay home. Otherwise, we must continue to act to protect ourselves and our families. We all must:

1. Wear a mask as required.
2. Wash our hands.
3. Practice social distancing.

In preparation for entering phase 3 of reopening, my office and the Fairfax County Health Department are working to ensure vulnerable communities have access to masks. Over the last week, my office has donated 10,000 masks to Neighborhood Health, Healthworks, Culmore Clinic, Cornerstones, and CASA Virginia. We were able to do so because of the generous donation of masks from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.

See below for the full June 30 edition of my newsletter. 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.