Board of Supervisors - Chairman Alert:
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| 5-22 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
I hope you are able to take advantage of our County parks this weekend. Please remember if visiting, we ask that you social distance, not gather in groups larger than 10 people, and wear a mask. To keep the facilities open it is critical that we all follow the rules and put safety first.
Every day, my staff and I receive data about the programs Fairfax County is facilitating during this pandemic to help those in need. Today, I was updated on our financial assistance work for those unable to pay their rent, mortgages, or other housing related costs. Between March 1 and today, 816 households have received assistance from the County and our partner nonprofits, totaling $686,432.84.
It is unfortunate that we are seeing so much need at this time, but Fairfax County is well-equipped to help. If you, or someone you know, is in need of services varying from financial assistance to food assistance to health care, call our Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. They will connect you with the resources you need.
See below for the full May 22 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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Read full article | May 22, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-20 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
Some good news to report today. To help meet the increasing need for food assistance in the community, Fairfax County held two Stuff the Bus events for local nonprofits. Thanks to your help, we collected over 33.6 tons of donated food items!
See below for the full May 20 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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Read full article | May 20, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-18 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
I wanted to take a minute to reemphasize the important everyday steps we can be taking each day to reduce and ultimately eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Those steps include: practicing social distancing, frequently washing your hands (or using hand sanitizer when you can’t wash), and wearing a face covering or mask.
I want to focus on wearing a non-surgical mask in particular. No, this will not stop the virus, but according to the CDC, wearing a mask slows the virus and helps to prevent asymptomatic individuals from transmitting the virus to others. Here's a study that talks about the importance of wearing a mask.
Currently, wearing a mask is not mandated by the CDC or the Virginia Department of Health. Even though they’re not required and wearing a mask can be inconvenient, it’s important we do this to protect ourselves and those around us.
On another note, you can also help your community by donating food items to Fairfax County Stuff the Bus tomorrow. There are 21 drop-off locations across the County that will be collecting food from 10am-3pm. See all drop off points, requested items, and more here.
See below for the full May 18 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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Read full article | May 18, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-15 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
I wanted to start off by sharing some good news from the Census front. Despite the pandemic, Fairfax County has one of the highest response rates in the state at 73.3%! This is important news that will ensure investment and representation in our County. If you haven't filled out the Census yet, there is still time before staff from the U.S. Census Bureau begins to follow up in August. You can fill our your Census here .
I also wanted to make you aware that tomorrow May 16 and Tuesday, May 19 from 10am-3pm, Fairfax County Stuff the Bus is collecting food donations throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. There will be 21 drop-off locations and donations will benefit 10 area nonprofits. Below you will find tips to donate safely. See all drop off points, requested items, and more here .
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Read full article | May 15, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-13 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
In case you missed it, my regional colleagues and I video-conferenced in to Governor Northam's daily press conference to discuss his decision to maintain public health restrictions in Northern Virginia. You can read Executive Order 62 here, an overview of the action here, and watch today's press conference here.
I appreciate the Governor’s reliance on the data and metrics provided by our Health Directors. Our County and region are actively working to meet the Governor's health criteria, which will allow us to take the first steps towards reopening the economy.
I understand the frustrations and fears in regards to reopening. I do not take lightly the financial struggles that many are experiencing nor the devastating impacts this virus has on health. The Board continues to address the community's needs. We allocated over $25 million to non-profits and $25 million to small businesses.
In the meantime, the Northern Virginia region will continue to track the necessary statistics because we are all anxious to reopen our economy as soon as possible based on public safety and data.
It is therefore necessary that you continue to stay home and follow health directives. This will be incredibly important not only to move into Phase I of Governor Northam's Forward Virginia Plan, but Phase II, which will allow many more businesses to open.
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Read full article | May 13, 2020 | 0 | |||
| 5-11 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
In case you missed yesterday's news, after extensive discussions with my Northern Virginia regional colleagues, we sent a joint letter to Governor Northam presenting COVID-19 data from our Health Directors. Their data was placed in comparison to the criteria laid out by the Governor in order for the state to move into the first phase of his Forward Virginia plan.
Today, Governor Northam announced that he will make a final decision about the Northern Virginia moving forward into Phase I of Forward Virginia on Wednesday. I greatly appreciate his acknowledgement that Northern Virginia’s health data is significantly different than the rest of the Commonwealth as well as his consideration of the population and density of our region. Remember, the population size of Fairfax County alone is greater than eight states.
This request was made in response to the Governor's suggestion that certain data benchmarks should be met ahead of reopening. Northern Virginia Health Directors tell me that we don't meet those same health criteria needed to move forward. That data includes:
You might be wondering how this is possible. Although social distancing and access to PPE is working to flatten the curve, we are still in the exponential growth cycle of our epidemic curve. That means for now cases are still increasing. In Northern Virginia as a whole, the percentage of positive cases of those tested is 25%, while the rest of the state is at 10%. So we still have some work to do.
Again, I recommend that you look at the data laid out by our Health Directors here and Fairfax County's case data here.
Though we acknowledge the data is not there yet, we are hopeful this can be achieved soon. We all want to reopen as soon as possible based on public safety and data.
Also, below you will find a video message from Dr. J. Stephen Jones of Inova. He addresses how Inova has responded to COVID-19 to date and how Inova is working to meet the community's needs.
See below for the full May 11 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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Read full article | May 11, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-10 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
I want to start off by wishing a Happy Mother's Day to my mother, my wife, and all of the moms in our community. Many celebrations took place remotely today, but it doesn't change how much we owe the mothers in our lives.
I also want to address Governor Northam's Friday press conference and the question of whether Fairfax County will be reopening with the rest of Virginia. After extensive discussions with my regional colleagues, I sent a joint letter with Loudoun County Chair Randall, Prince William County Chair Wheeler, Arlington County Chair Garvey, and City of Alexandria Mayor Wilson to Governor Northam today.
We greatly appreciate the Governor outlining the strategic criteria he will use as the Commonwealth moves to open; I agree with the Governor that any decision to reopen should be made following the data that he outlined. However, Northern Virginia Health Directors tell me that we don't meet those same health criteria needed to move forward (including a downward trend of positive tests for over 14 days, a downward trend of hospitalizations for over 14 days, an increased capacity for both testing and contact testing, sufficient hospital beds and ICU capacity, and a sustained supply of personal protective equipment). Our letter urges him to implement his Forward Virginia plan for the region only once regional threshold metrics have been met.
Reopening our businesses will be crucial to moving forward and I share our community’s desire to do so, but the health of our residents is crucial to the health of our economy. This information is provided in the letter to the Governor and I hope he will take it into consideration before he makes a final decision later this week.
You can see the County's press release and a copy of the letter here. For details on Phase I of Governor Northam's reopening plan laid out on Friday, please read below.
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Read full article | May 10, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-6 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
Today, in response to a letter from Loudoun County Chair Randall, Prince William County Chair Wheeler, and myself, Governor Northam announced his intention to coordinate any future re-openings with Northern Virginia localities. This is important, because we know a one-size-fits-all approach in the Commonwealth simply doesn’t work. We also communicated our desire to coordinate with DC and Maryland to avoid confusion for our residents and businesses.
I will continue to update you as we learn more. In the meantime, please stay home and encourage your friends and families to as well.
See below for the full May 6 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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Read full article | May 6, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-4 Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
Today, the Governor announced more details on his Forward Virginia Blueprint to re-open the Commonwealth. The details can be read below. Though it is exciting to see a plan ahead, it is not a declaration that things will go back to "normal". It is an easing of restrictions and a plan to slowly re-introduce certain activities into our lives when needed. "Life" will not be as it was pre-coronavirus for many more months. Just because there are parts of the economy re-opening, does not mean you should or have to go out. It will still be safer to stay home.
As I noted last week, Fairfax County saw a spike in cases. We are in the exponential growth period of our epidemic curve and will see more cases and deaths in the coming weeks. I encourage you to not change what you are doing. We can't see our friends and go to concerts yet, that's the reality.
I know this ask isn't getting easier. We are all ready for this to be over. My family and I are not immune to the stress that comes with balancing working from home while helping our kids with distance learning. Honestly, it's all difficult, but we have to do it.
See below for the full May 4 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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Read full article | May 4, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images/McKay/Statement%2520from%2520Chairman%2520McKay.png | 0 | |
| 5-1: Update on COVID-19 in Fairfax County | To the Fairfax County Community,
You may have noticed that in the last few days Fairfax County has seen a spike in cases. I wanted to take a moment to address the anxiety you might be having. It's certainly scary, but there are reasons to explain this.
1. Fairfax is in the exponential growth phase of our epidemic curve and we can therefore expect to see COVID-19 cases continue to increase for several more weeks. Because of the way this disease transmits, when one person is sick they can easily transmit it to others, especially in settings like long term care facilities.
2. An increase in testing leads to more positive cases.
I want to encourage residents to continue to follow community mitigation efforts: stay home, social distance even when outside, wash your hands, and wear a mask.
In addition, today, the Governor announced that Virginia has enough testing capacity to test all people who think they are sick with COVID-19. This means that if you think you have COVID-19, please work with you doctor to get tested.
For now though, unfortunately we will continue to see more deaths and hospitalizations. But we can make a difference through community mitigation efforts. Your family, friends, and community are counting on you. Below, you will also see a video update from me addressing these concerns.
See below for the full May 1 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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Read full article | May 1, 2020 | /chairman/sites/chairman/files/Assets/images2/Statement%20from%20Chairman%20McKay.png | 0 |