Hunter Mill District News, April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020 To My Hunter Mill District Neighbors: As I've noted in these updates, there are a lot of what one resident referred to as community uplift stories in our neighborhoods and throughout Fairfax County. I have a few today to end our week on a positive note: On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the YMCA Reston is offering produce, available for anyone, free of charge, regardless of their affiliation with the YMCA, while supplies last. Go to YMCA Reston, 12196 Sunset Hills Rd. in Reston. The hours are Wednesdays, 4 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon. (Photo Credit - YMCA Reston) The Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS) participated in a Diaper Distribution effort sponsored and organized by Northern Virginia Family Services in response to COVID-19 at the end of March. One hundred diapers per child were delivered to over 150 families involved with Healthy Families Fairfax. Several DFS employees participated in getting the much needed diapers to these families while maintaining social distance. Buzz Aldrin Elementary School families donated $8,000 in Safeway gift cards, which were collected and delivered to more than 50 of their families in need over the past four weeks. We are looking into ways that you can also donate and will get that information to you when available. If you have a student in FCPS, you can donate through this portal. Have a good weekend everyone and stay safe! Respectfully, Walter For the latest updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram How to Help Your Neighbors in Need in Hunter Mill District

Today's Updates (April 17)

Fire Department Reminds Businesses To Maintain Clear Access To All Exits During the pandemic, businesses are rightfully taking a variety of safety measures to maintain physical distancing and reduce exposures. However, the county's Fire and Rescue Department is receiving messages of concern that exits are often being blocked, locked or otherwise restricted while the store is occupied. Learn more. Apply for Small Business Microloan Program beginning April 28. Fairfax County is offering a $2.5 Million fund to support small business recovery. Along with the Federal CARES programs, the Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund and associated counseling will help our business community with needed relief. Learn more. Scam Slam Audio Series: Unfortunately, More Coronavirus Scams You Need to Know About There are more scams we should be aware of including those related to shopping, mortgage relief and personal loans. Learn more. Fairfax Connector Passengers Urged to Wear Face Coverings on Buses Metro and the Fairfax Connector are urging everyone using public transportation to wear face coverings/masks. Learn more. Coronavirus: Spread the Facts, Not the Virus There is some incorrect information being reported on social media about the coronavirus that is not rooted in science. Learn more.

Blood Donations Needed!

Blood donation centers are open and there is an urgent need for donations right now. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able. The CDC has issued recommendations to keep blood donors and staff safe: Examples of these recommendations include spacing donor chairs 6 feet apart, thoroughly adhering to environmental cleaning practices, and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time. To learn more about blood donation during the pandemic, visit the American Red Cross and the CDC FAQ web page.

Of Note

In Wednesday's newsletter (4/15), the link to the web page for the Reston Comprehensive Plan Task Force was broken - here is the link. Mark your calendar for my next virtual budget town hall for Friday, April 24 at 12:30 p.m. We'll have a lunch time discussion on the proposed FY 2021 budget with Melanie Meren, the School Board member representing Hunter Mill District, as well as Christina Jackson, Director, Department of Management and Budget. I will be sending out details next week on how you can participate - look for those details in this newsletter, as well as on Twitter and Facebook

Hotline for Domestic and Sexual Violence

Resources and Updates

Small Business Updated Information for Businesses Impacted by the Coronavirus This county web page provides the latest resources and information specifically for businesses and their employees. For questions that you may have on business restrictions, email business@virginia.gov. If you have a specialized question you can contact the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives at DEI@fairfaxcounty.gov. Learn more. Support Local Restaurants with Takeout or Delivery Visit Fairfax is now providing a restaurant Take Out Trail Guide; check it out and help support local businesses: Learn more. Census Have you filled out your 2020 Census yet? The U.S. Constitution requires that each decade we take a count of the nation's population. For each resident who does not respond to the census, Fairfax County could lose $12,000 in potential funding over the course of a decade. Please take a few minutes to fill out yours today! #FFXCounts 2020 Census Information County Operations Residents Discouraged from Taking Yard Waste to Fairfax County Transfer Station or Landfill  Fairfax County residents are strongly discouraged from taking their yard waste to the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill. Learn more. Trash and Recycling Changes Effective Monday, March 30 Effective Monday, March 30, the county's Solid Waste Management Program is changing collection requirements for trash and recycling haulers and changing service levels at the county’s two disposal sites. These changes included the suspension of the collection of yard waste and glass recycling at purple containers countywide. Learn more. Fairfax County Courts Further Postpone Dockets Due to the Coronavirus The Fairfax County courts are making new changes to their schedules and procedures in response to the coronavirus, including further postponing dockets. Learn more. Fairfax County Government Buildings Closed to the Public To help limit the spread of the coronavirus, Fairfax County closed all government buildings and facilities to the public until further notice. However, the county government remains open for business online and by phone and mail and some specific services will continue to be provided in-person. Learn more. Fairfax County Extends Tax Payment Deadlines for Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes The Board of Supervisors approved a one month extension for filing vehicle and business personal property taxes and paying the first installment of real estate taxes. The board took action today at its March 24 meeting to assist taxpayers during the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more. County Fire Stations Close to Public In order to protect the health of firefighters and medics, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is closing all fire stations to the public, effective Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m. These closures are in coordination with the decision to close county government buildings to the public. Learn more. Animal Shelter Service/Program Updates The Animal Shelter has cancelled activities and implemented temporary changes for several programs and services. Learn more. Park Authority Closes All Parks; Trails Remain Open All county Park Authority parks and amenities are closed to the public until further notice. This change is in response to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s order to close public access to recreational facilities. Park Authority closures include parking lots, athletic fields, sport courts, restrooms, nature centers, visitor centers, golf courses, historic sites, picnic areas, playgrounds, amusements, boat launches, skate parks, off-leash dog areas, outdoor fitness equipment and any areas for open recreation. Learn more. Health Safety Tips for Employees and Employers While many of us are able to work from home during the pandemic, some of us still must report to an office, store or job site to do our work. Employees and employers can take steps to stay healthy and limit the spread of the coronavirus. Learn more. CDC Recommends Wearing Simple Cloth Face Coverings in Public Learn more. Information on COVID-19 Case Reporting in the Fairfax Health District  Learn more. COVID-19 and Kids: The Problem with Playdates If your kids go outside, it is important to maintain social distance of at least six feet from anyone from outside their own household. Learn more. Video: What Should You Do if You Get Sick from the Coronavirus? In this video, two nurses from our Health Department provide guidance on what you can do at home to take care of yourself if you get sick with COVID-19. Watch New Health Department Call Center Hours The Health Department’s Coronavirus Call Center has changed it hours.The Call Center, which can be reach at 703-267-3511 with coronavirus questions, is now open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Learn more. Social Distancing, Self-Isolating and Quarantine: What Do These Terms Mean? We’ve all been hearing terms like “social distancing,” “self-isolating” and “quarantine” — but what do these terms mean and how do we use them to protect ourselves and others? Learn more. Explaining the Increase in Positive Cases; 4 Ways We Can Stop Coronavirus from Spreading Right Now Our COVID-19 case numbers will continue to increase, but we do have some control over how fast that increase occurs and how high it goes. Experience from other disease pandemics and from other countries that have already experienced COVID-19 outbreaks show that several measures can make an enormous difference. Learn more.  Three Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics Open  Inova Urgent Care locations at Dulles South, North Arlington and Tysons are staffing Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. The three clinics also collect COVID-19 vehicle-side samples that have been ordered by physicians. Learn more. Health Care Options for the Uninsured  The county has a list of resources for the nearly 8% of residents without health insurance, including a list of clinics that offer low-cost or free medical care and pharmacies during the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more. Human Services New Language Portal The county has created a portal with vital COVID-19 related information in one place and includes translation content in our top seven non-English languages, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu and Farsi. Learn more. Geospatial Resources Platform The Geospatial Resources Platform highlights applications with data relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic in Fairfax County. Some examples are: Food resources with food pantries, FCPS grab-n-go locations, and other nonprofit sites. Healthcare resources with hospital, urgent care, respiratory clinic, and pharmacy locations. Grocery stores that support seniors shopping during special hours.  Video Playlist Provides Coronavirus Information in American Sign Language This video play list provides access to nearly a dozen videos presented in American Sign Language, including "When to Get Medical Care" at left. Learn more. Social Security Administration Updates on COVID-19 Get updates on Social Security payments and how to get assistance here. Consider Alternate Means to Celebrate Religious Observances With many major religious observances approaching and evidence of community spread of COVID-19, residents are encouraged to consider alternative means of celebrating religious observances. Learn more. How to Help Your Neighbors in Need in Hunter Mill District I encourage everyone who can to consider volunteering or donating to assist our local community organizations noted below or through your own faith community or civic organization. Here's how to help. Legal Advice for COVID-19 Issues  Legal Services of Northern Virginia provides free legal advice to low-income, older adults and individuals with disabilities and is prepared to provide consultation on issues related to COVID-19 including unemployment claims, housing evictions and foreclosures and protective orders. Learn more. 4 Things to Know About Tenant-Landlord Rights While many things remain uncertain, here are some things to remember about tenant-landlord rights that may provide guidance. Learn more. Answers to Many Basic Needs Questions (Food, Utilities, Evictions) Can Be Found Online Residents in need of assistance for the first time may not know where to start. Coordinated Services Planning provides resources including food/utility/rent. Learn more. Making Home a Safer Place for Domestic Violence Survivors During the Pandemic With the unemployment rising and bills mounting, these additional pressures during the already stressful coronavirus pandemic could lead to an increase in domestic violence. Learn more. Unemployment Resources Available through Virginia Career Works Centers For those affected in our community, job seekers and employers have access to Virginia Career Works Centers — a comprehensive system of employment and training services and resources delivered and coordinated through one-stop employment resource centers. Services are being offered online and by phone, so please reach out if you need assistance. Learn more. Human Services: Assistance From a Distance There are many online and phone/hotline services available for residents in need of human services support, including for domestic/sexual violence services, older adults and people with disabilities. Get help. Interactive Map to Find Food Resources, Services Some of our neighbors in Hunter Mill District may have food assistance needs. To make it easier for you to find food resources, the county has developed a searchable map that includes all food distribution sites, including Fairfax County Public Schools, community meal distribution sites, food pantries and other related services. Please share this information with your neighbors and organizations. Learn more. Housing Resources Many residents may have concerns about mortgage payments and assistance. Here are suggested resources: ·   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ·   Fannie Mae ·   Freddie Mac Public Safety Fire Chief Addresses Concerns  In video at left, Fairfax County Fire Chief John S. Butler addresses the coronavirus situation and how the county’s fire and rescue personnel are addressing it — and what you can do to help. Video: Police Chief Addresses Coronavirus (COVID-19) Concerns  Watch video at left; learn more. Keeping Public Safety Employees Safe During the Coronavirus  Please help us keep our public safety employees safe! Note that there are changes in processes if you seek help from Police, Fire and Rescue, 9-1-1 call takers or Sheriff’s deputies. Learn more