Two Hour ‘Virtual’ Delay for Fairfax County Public Schools — Teacher-led instruction for middle and elementary school levels will be delayed two hours today to allow teachers to activate Blackboard security upgrades. High school office hours will begin no earlier than 10 a.m. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Reston Company Selected as Top Entry Level Employer — Carahsoft Technology Corp made it to CollegeGrad.com’s annual list of top entry-level employers. The company is expected to onboard 700 new employees and 174 interns this year, a 27 percent increase from last year. [GlobeNewswire]
Marriage Licenses Go Virtual — The county launched a new virtual marriage license appointment program today for couples to receive a marriage license from the Fairfax County Court Clerk’s Office. The county’s clerk notes he has seen an increase in the number of couples applying for marriage licenses since the pandemic hit locally. [Fairfax County Government]
Virtual Q&A by Bow Tie Cinemas — The theatre is hosting a virtual session with the directors and selected cast members of Extra Ordinary. The event begins at 6 p.m. [Bow Tie Cinemas via Facebook]
Reston Community Players Scholarship Kicks Off — Applications for annual scholarships for high school. Applications are due by May 1. Interviews, which will take place between May 16-17, will be held virtually.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Fairfax County officials have created a fund to support small businesses struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Board of Supervisors approved creating the “Fairfax County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Microloan Fund” during their meeting today (Tuesday). The board expects the loan program to be ready by May 1, according to county documents.
The program allows the Community Business Partnership to distribute roughly $1.2 million to eligible small businesses in the county. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees make up about 94 percent of businesses in the county, according to the documents.
Businesses who undergo a pre-submission counseling session will be able to apply for loans up to $20,000 and will be able to use the money for things like rent, equipment and critical cash operating expenses. The loans will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, the documents say.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said the county’s program complements federal aid, including financial assistance from the Small Business Administration.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity said he was concerned about the administrative costs of operating the county’s program. He also proposed an amendment requiring the CBP to direct small business owners to seek federal aid prior to seeking local assistance.
McKay said Herrity’s amendment, which did not pass, was not necessary because the CBP already encourages individuals to seek federal avenues for help. He also noted that many businesses are falling through the cracks due to the limits of federal assistance, including delays in the rollout of funds.
Others encourage the county to reach as many affected businesses as possible.
Mt. Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said he hopes the program champions “administrative flexibility” in order to help out businesses with between two and 10 employees.
The funding for the program is coming from $2.5 million from the Economic Opportunity Reserve to support economic relief efforts.
Staff in the Department of Economic Initiatives will monitor the distribution of the funds to figure out how to use the remaining $1.28 million, according to county documents. After 45 days, staff will let the board know if they recommend additional funds for the program.
McKay also directed county staff to explore additional relief options for businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Catherine Douglas Moran and Fatimah Waseem contributed to this story.
As Fairfax County continues to lead the increase of COVID-19 cases statewide, new data says the county has more than a dozen outbreaks at long term care facilities.
Overall, 6,171 cases and 154 deaths have been reported statewide. More than 42,000 people in Virginia have been tested for the virus.
As of this morning, the Fairfax Health had 1,207 cases, continuing to lead all other jurisdictions in Virginia for the highest number of reported cases. Roughly half of the COVID-19 patients are under the age of 50, while the other half are ages 50 or older.
The Fairfax Health District includes Fairfax County, the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns in the county.
More data on the Fairfax Health District, according to the Virginia Department of Health:
- 17 outbreaks — one at a correctional facility and 16 at long term care facilities
- 235 hospitalizations
- 6,618 test results
Virginia has 102 total outbreaks, with more than half at long term care facilities.
Yesterday, Fairfax County reported 21 deaths. All of the individuals who died from the illness were age 50 or older, with 18 of the people age 65 or older.
While the county’s health department has declined to provide more information about cases due to privacy laws, the state’s health department has started to provide more information about outbreaks and hospitalizations by health district.
Fairfax County Residents to Receive Health Alert Toolkit
Fairfax County announced yesterday (Monday) that county residents can expect a COVID-19 toolkit to arrive in the mail soon.
According to the county, the health alert toolkit includes:
- instructions on what to do if you are sick
- actions to take if you are a close contact of someone who is sick
- details on how to identify and talk to close contacts who are at risk for illness if you are sick
The toolkit is also available online in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Urdu, Arabic, Farsi and Korean.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue COVID-19 Cases
In the new weekly update on the coronavirus, the county’s fire department said that seven personnel have tested positive for the virus and two have recovered as of Sunday (April 12).
Of the five people who are currently COVID-19 positive, three had an on-duty exposure that likely caused the virus, the fire department said.
“All personnel are closely monitored by a nurse at Fairfax County’s Occupational Health Center,” the update said. “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will notify the public or any applicable persons if there is any concern of exposure.”
In addition to the personnel who have tested positive, seven other members are quarantined.
Data via Virginia Department of Health
Local congregations are banding together to provide takeout meals from local restaurants to those in need of food.
Since the second week of its launch, the program, Herndon Cares, has fed more than 400 people. More congregations and businesses are joining the effort, including Christ Fellowship Church, Herndon United Methodist Church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, St. John Neumann Catholic Community, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Washington Plaza Baptist Church.
The First Baptist Church of Herndon spearheaded the effort after Pastor Sean Roberds pitched the idea of raising funds for meals in an effort to support local businesses and local residents.
Within a week of suggesting the idea, the church’s community outreach coordinator launched the effort and recruited volunteers, including Renee Maxwell from Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon.
“I’m thrilled that more and more faith congregations are patterning in this effort and that businesses are very enthusiastic,” Maxwell said.
Restaurants that are within the zip code areas of 20170, 20171, 20190, and 20194 can participate by pitching dinner for $10/person or less. Some local participants include:
- Amphora’s Diner Deluxe
- Apple Spice
- A Taste of the World Restaurant
- Charcoal Kabab
- Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant
- Great Harvest Bread Company
- Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern
- Mellow Mushroom
- Mr. Pepperoni
- Virginia Kitchen
- Willard’s BBQ
- 100 Bowls
The organization is accepting donations online. So far, Herndon Cares has raised $7,185 of its ambitious $100,000 goal. Meals can be requested on the program’s website.
Photo via Herndon Cares
Health Alert Kit On the Way — Households in Fairfax County and the Town of Herndon will receive a COVID-19 toolkit in the mail that includes instruction on what to do if you’re sick, what to do if you’re in contact with someone who is sick, and how to talk to close contents if you are sick. [Fairfax County Government]
Attempted Robbery at Exxon in Great Falls — A man attempted to rob the Exxon gas station on 9829 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls on April 10. Police said the man left when the clerk told him there was no money. [Fairfax County Police Department]
What’s Happening Today — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will meet electronically today beginning at 1 p.m. to discuss next year’s revised budget and other coronavirus-related items. [Fairfax County Government]
Plans for Non-essential Businesses — “As the end date approaches for the Gov. Ralph Northam’s order that closed non-essential recreation and entertainment businesses, the governor plans to extend the date. Northam has not set an end date for that extension, but an announcement is expected. Wednesday.” [Patch]
Photo by Bryan Harrell/Twitter
Some county residents and organizations are questioning the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s decision to proceed with voting on land use cases and other development matters at a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).
The board is considering an ordinance that would allow the county to proceed with some land use work that would “otherwise expire or require time-consuming, case-by-case attention to extend at the expense of operations.”
The ordinance is intended to automatically extend the validity of expiring director-approved plans, pats, grading permits, parking reductions, and modifications or waivers for specific public facilities stands until nearly two months after the board ends the local state of emergency.
“By temporarily supplanting this cumbersome extension process, this ordinance will help to a sure continuity in government by enabling Land Development Services to continue providing essential services to homeowners and the development community.”
But some say the wording of the ordinance leaves too much room for interpretation, regardless of how well-intentioned the proposed ordinance is.
In a letter to the board, former Fairfax County Planning Commissioner James Hart said the ordinance was “so broad and flexible that it invites abuse of that streamlined emergency process and an expansion into land use matters.”
Here’s more from Hart’s letter:
The definition of “Continuity in Fairfax County government” on p. 119 is so vague as to be meaningless. It includes, “without limitation,” almost anything, including “applications . . . or other requests” and “measures that help sustain the County’s economy” which conceivably could be every land use application that causes economic activity [construction, real estate, commerce, taxes, etc.]. What case arguably doesn’t help sustain the economy, in some way? There should be some “limitation” on the authority of a supervisor, or the Board collectively, to approve anything, ostensibly within this overbroad definition, as an essential continuation of the function of government.
Some residents are especially concerned about an expected vote on a proposal for 157 townhouses in Chantilly tomorrow (Tuesday). The controversial project by McLean-based company Elm Street Communities — which is located directly under a flight path — has been a source of concern, especially due to noise impacts
Residents say that members of the public cannot meaningfully comment on the application or rebut information presented by staff or the applicant by submitting written testimony or comments via YouTube in advance of the meeting.
“The virus emergency is no excuse to adopt streamlined procedures that facilitate land use cases going forward without meaningful citizen participation in the public hearings. Reasonable limitations on the Board’s powers should include some more specific clarification of what matters, such as the budget, are truly ‘essential.”” Hart wrote.
The state’s Sierra Club chapter also voiced reservations on the ordinance to streamline the public engagement process, which it says could be perceived as using an emergency to reduce public input and increase opportunities for development.
“Fairfax County residents become passive contributors by submitting electronic public comment and hope that it is read or watched. Gone is the ability to engage in dialogue with staff or supervisors, make site visits, verify or rebut information, and actively impact decision-making.”
Photo via Unsplash
The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County has passed 1,000.
The county continues to lead all other jurisdictions with a total of 1,164 cases, according to state data released this morning.
Between yesterday (Sunday) and today, 156 new cases were reported.
Overall, 5,747 cases statewide and 149 deaths have been reported, including 19 deaths in Fairfax County.
Currently, seven hospitals in the state are having trouble securing personal proactive equipment.
Roughly 23 percent of available ventilators statewide are currently in use and 5,970 beds are available for patients.
Data via Virginia Department of Health
Brush Fire at Lake Fairfax — Crews contained a brush fire at Lake Fairfax on Saturday. No structures were impacted by the incident. More information is forthcoming. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
Wind Advisory in Effect — An advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. today. The National Weather Service encourages residents to use extra caution when driving and secure outdoor objects. [National Weather Service]
How a Reston Data Company Tracked Beach Visitors — Reston data company X-Mode was able to track the location data from people who visited a beach in Fort Lauderdale, Floria and ignored warnings to practice social distancing. [Technical.ly]
All for Cloth Face Masks — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear cloth face coverings when they are out in public. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
In times of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, many expectant mothers are facing unforeseen challenges.
Lack of knowledge around and educated guesswork around the coronavirus behalf of doctors can be unsettling — especially when dealing with the lives of newborn babies.
Around Reston, OBGYN offices such as the Virginia Women’s Health Associates in Reston are changing tactics to help new mothers and pregnant women stay safe by offering more online resources and flexible appointment dates for women who are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
The Virginia Women’s Health Associates are even offering online appointments through a new portal system.
For everyday care, local OBGYN offices are taking extra preventative measures to help patients respect social distancing measures and ensure the health of their patients.
Because of the lack of research doctors, such as Amy Banulis, a certified doctor out of Falls Church who published a professional article in the Northern Virginia Magazine, are recommending that expectant mothers be sure to practice self-isolation and be sure to take care of themselves not only physically but mentally as well.
“While there is currently no evidence that you are more likely than anyone else to be infected with COVID-19, you may be at higher risk of developing a severe case,” Banulis wrote. A similar statement can be found online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
When it comes to breastfeeding and other concerns, the CDC said breast milk usually provides protection against infection and has not been shown to transmit COVID-19 in “limited studies.”
A local mom in Falls Church said that she took extra precautions leading up to her delivery date.
“I just feel the research out there is limited. I’m skeptical and don’t want to take a risk,” Nicole Sud, who recently gave birth to twins at a Virginia Hospital Center, said.
Before her delivery date, Sud said she self-isolated — only leaving the house for doctor appointments and had neighborhood friends help deliver groceries and essentials. She said that her primary care doctor didn’t recommend any additional steps for keeping healthy beyond the CDC’s guidelines for the public.
When Sud was first checked into the hospital, said she doctors gave her one surgical mask and a paper bag to put it in. Surgical gloves that would typically sit by the sink in any doctor’s office had been removed because of thefts, Sud said.
After Sud delivered the twins, she was disappointed because the couple learned the hospital nursery was closed due to COVID-19 concerns.
To ensure that the couple’s two-year-old daughter didn’t catch anything at the hospital and pass it onto the newborns, her pediatrician suggested that the young girl live with Sud’s in-laws for two weeks before returning home.
Upon discharge from the hospital, nurses simply included a COVD-19 packet among other materials typically given to mothers, Sud said.
Photo courtesy Nicole Sud
Updated at 6:30 p.m. —Fairfax County announced this afternoon that the number of cases totals 778 and there have been 19 deaths.
Earlier: The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the county more than doubled for the first time in more than a week.
Eleven more people in Fairfax County have died from the novel coronavirus, according to information released by the county yesterday (Thursday).
That brings the total number of deaths in the county to 16. As of today (Friday), there are 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, up from 690 yesterday.
All individuals who died from the illness were above the age of 50.
In the state, 121 people have died from the respiratory disease and there are a little over 4,500 cases.
This week, the growth rate of cases has increased in comparison to the previous week.
Data from Virginia Department of Health
Wind Advisory in Effect Today — Day two of holding onto your hats continues today. The National Weather Service has issued an advisory from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. [National Weather Service]
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Member Tests Positive — A member of the department tested positive for the coronavirus and has not been to work since the symptoms began over three weeks ago. Although no other personnel have tested positive, 17 department members are under quarantine due to unrelated exposures. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
A Feature on The Elden Street Tea Shop — Rachel Eisenfeld, a town resident, reflects on how the Herndon community will get through the coronavirus crisis together. [Reston Patch]
School Lottery Deadline Extended — Registration for the Kindergarten Immersion Lottery and the Magnet School Lottery programs has been extended to Monday, May 4. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Trader Joe’s in Reston has temporarily closed for precautionary sanitation due to coronavirus concerns, the grocery store’s manager told Reston Now.
The manager stated that the store will be closed until further notice in order for personnel to conduct deep cleaning of the entire Reston location.
An employee, who last present at the store on April 6, tested positive for the virus
Here’s more from the company:
At Trader Joe’s, there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our Crew Members and customers. We believe in being proactive and transparent in addressing issues, and we value information and clear communication. With this in mind, we have temporarily closed some stores related to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, including for additional precautionary cleaning and sanitization. We have made sure all Crew Members at the respective locations have been informed and understand the steps to take to best safeguard the health of their communities. While a store is closed, Trader Joe’s pays all Crew Members for their scheduled shifts.
It is unclear when the business will reopen, but the move is expected to be temporary. The business is located at 11958 Killingsworth Avenue.
“We should be open soon,” the manager said.
This is an opinion column by Del. Ken Plum (D), who represents Reston in Virginia’s House of Delegates. It does not reflect the opinion of Reston Now.
At a critical time in our history when our federal administration is displaying a level of ineptness that is head-shakingly unbelievable, the importance of community becomes more evident to us. Whether that community is at the state level as we live-stream on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 pm the quiet bed-side manner of our physician now Governor Ralph Northam as he tells us the steps we need to get through the COVID-19 crisis as best as humanly possible or whether it is the neighbors on the street who emerge to the stoops of their homes at noon one day to sing happy birthday to a young person who is celebrating a mile-marking 18th birthday, we as members of multiple communities are facing a history-changing crisis. The way we emerge on the other side is likely to be dependent more on our community support system than on government action.
The federal Congress has already passed legislation of historic proportions that at any other time in our history would have been called socialism. There seems to be widespread agreement that it is not enough and that further federal assistance will be required both for individuals and families as well as the economy. To ensure that you are aware of the various programs of assistance that might be available to you and your family, visit my website at kenplum.com for a description of programs.
The General Assembly is required by the state Constitution to meet in a reconvened session after the Governor has reviewed and signed, vetoed or proposed amendments to bills passed in the recent regular session. The reconvened session is scheduled for April 22 this year, but there are serious questions as to whether it is a good idea to have 100 delegates and staff meeting in one room while 40 senators and staff meet in another room. However, the issue is resolved we will be ploughing new legal ground. Whenever the General Assembly meets it will not bring good news; the sharp decline in revenue will wreck what was a historically good budget. The reductions will be many, and they will be deep.
What can we as a community do while we are hunkered down? As people are demonstrating in communities throughout the country, there are many life-saving and useful things we can do. First, we can, and we must respond to the needs of people who are hungry. On my website, www.kenplum.com, is a directory of food banks and pantries that are responding to the needs of the hungry. Congratulations and thank you to all who have put together these wonderful efforts. All of the rest of us can help them. Without leaving your home you can donate online to the food banks that can use your contribution to buy food. You can buy groceries online and have them shipped to the local food bank. Or if you choose you can buy extra when you are doing your own shopping and contribute it to a food pantry. We are community, and we can help our neighbors who are hungry.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County continues to increase at a faster rate in the county.
According to state data released this morning, the number of cases jumped from 570 yesterday (Wednesday) to 690 overnight. The highest percent increase of cases was reported this week.
Fairfax County continues to have the most number of cases in the state. Overall, more than 33,000 people have been tested and nearly 4,042 cases have been confirmed. So far, 109 people have died.
The county’s health department cannot provide more geographic information about cases beyond the county level due to privacy laws.
“We believe that all geographic areas of Fairfax County currently are at risk fo disease transmission,” the health department wrote in a statement.
Data via Virginia Department of Health
Wind Advisory In Effect Today — A wind advisory is in effect for today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The National Weather Service encourages caution while driving. Outdoor objects should also be secured. [National Weather Service]
A Request for Local Businesses — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is conducting an online survey to determine how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting local businesses. Responses are due by tomorrow (Friday) at 5 p.m. [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
Reston Shop Donates Dresses to Coronavirus Responders — Scout & Molly’s in Reston Town Center is donating dresses to frontline responders. When a customer purchases a dress online, the store will donate a dress of equal or lesser value. [Reston Patch]
Northam Pushes Elections Back — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam pushed elections back due to the COVID-19 crisis. The state’s June 9 congressional primary has been delayed by two weeks to June 23. [WTOP]
School Board to Discuss Budget Today — The Fairfax County Public Schools’ board will meet at 10 a.m. today to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the school system’s budget. [Twitter]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
