COVID-19 Update 7

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Dear Friend,

Let’s take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to thank the members of our Armed Services. They and their families sacrifice for us, every day and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

We often take the freedoms we enjoy in this country for granted, but these freedoms are not free. Brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice to uphold the values that this country stands for, now it is time to honor them. It is wonderful to see our communities and veterans’ groups create virtual recognition ceremonies and continue to decorate the grave stones of the fallen. These efforts show the American spirit at its best. Thank You. 

I will honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service by participating in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 pm on Memorial Day. I encourage everyone to pause at that time and reflect on the selfless acts of others. We are America strong, and we will always remember. 

Stepping Out - Memorial Day weekend also begins our summer season. I know many of you are anxious to travel and socialize, but I urge you to continue to practice health safety measures. Although Governor Northam issued an executive order last Friday that allows certain businesses (outside of NoVA) to reopen at partial capacity, we must all do our part to keep each other safe and healthy. 

Below are Highlights of the Governor’s Phase I Reopening Plan. Please remember that some parts of the state, Northern Virginia included, have not met key health status targets and will remain at Phase Zero until May 29, when health status data will be evaluated. Also, noted below is new information on topics constituents have inquired about. Make sure to read about the community testing events, managing financial hardships, and educational challenges.

Phase One - Under Governor Northam’s Executive Order, restaurants will be allowed to re-open for outdoor dining at 50% capacity, farmer’s markets may permit limited on-site shopping, and retail stores may operate at 50% capacity. Fitness and exercise facilities can re-open for limited outdoor activities. Executive Order 61 is here and you can find more specific Guidelines for Phase One: Safer at Home here.

I know many of you, myself included, would like to spend some family time outdoors this weekend. State parks and beaches, throughout the Commonwealth, will be open to help us “step out.” But please remember to practice social distancing, wear your mask, limit group gatherings to fewer than 10 individuals, and wash your hands frequently. Sunbathing on Virginia’s beaches will not be allowed, beach goers must stay active while on the beach. 

COVID-19 Community Testing- One of the key elements in controlling the spread of the virus is expanding the availability of tests and conducting contact tracing, so individuals who may be asymptotic but were in contact with someone who tested positive can self-isolate. In the NoVA region and throughout the state, Virginia is on track to meet the CDC guideline of testing 3 percent of the population.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is maintaining a map of testing sites for Covid-19. You can find testing locations in your area by searching their map.

VDH is also beginning to hold drive-thru community testing events. These events will provide free COVID-19 tests. No doctor’s order is required and no residency questions asked. Upcoming events are noted below:

• Fairfax County: Saturday, May 23 from 10am - 6pm at Annandale High School. 

• Fairfax County: Sunday, May 24 from 10am - 6pm at Bailey’s Elementary School.

As more sites are announced for these events, I will post notice of those being held in the district to my Facebook and Twitter accounts, so please be on the lookout. If you have not yet subscribed to one or both of these accounts, I encourage you to like and follow them for more immediate updates.

If you are interested in becoming a contact tracer, you can find more information and the application process here.

Managing Financial Hardships - Fear of Evictions - So many Virginians have been laid off or their hours reduced, and unemployment benefits have not filled the gap. Many fear they will be served with eviction notices. I am working with the Virginia Poverty Law Center and others to seek an executive directive from Governor Northam that would prohibit evictions through July 30. If another stimulus package is approved by Congress, dollars will not be dispersed until mid-June at the earliest. I am hopeful that we are successful with our request. 

The Virginia Housing and Development Authority has created a new website with resources for those who are facing housing challenges. 

Educational Challenges - Many parents and children are anxious to know the status of summer day and overnight camps. The Governor has indicated that day camps are subject to the same guidelines and requirements as our childcare facilities. Both the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health have provided guidelines for the safe operation of childcare facilities. Guidance for summer overnight camps is forthcoming, and I will be sure to post it to my Facebook and Twitter pages as soon as it is announced.

Regarding the process for reopening schools for in-person fall instruction, the Governor announced this week that he has convened a COVID-19 Education Work Group to chart a pathway forward. For more information and the announcement of the work of this group, see here.

The COVID-19 virus remains in our community and no vaccine is yet available, so the safest choice is to continue to stay at home. But, if you decide to go out for recreational purposes, it is absolutely critical that you protect yourself and others, by acting responsibly. Remember, many in our community cannot stay home due to the essential nature of their work. We owe it to our loved ones, our community, and daily heroes to do the right thing.

If my office can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. My email address is district31@senate.virginia.gov. We are all in this together.

Sincerely,