Village News, 3/18/20

Dear West Springfield Neighbor / Friend,

Just heard from POTUS that it is possible one or more anti-malaria drugs like what we took while in the military may have positive benefit for victims of the Conig-19 or perhaps as a preventative measure like we used in the jungle environments. I hope all I took still has some residual benefit. We can only hope!

If I missed something or you have a better idea (and many of you will) or think we should talk about something not included here (and many will), then write it and I’ll dispatch it or you can post directly to our FB Group without being subjected to my edits and time constraints. For those still not on our FB Group – strongly suggest you get in given the fast moving changes and reports about where we can buy TP. It is a closed group which means you will not be bombarded with unwanted or unsolicited ads. If this virus doesn’t make you want to be in the village information group, reckon nothing will – your call.

Tons of Emergency Information! – There is a lot of information out there (tv, internet, radio and word of mouth) on the current situation. I am certain that you have researched all you may need to know, but if I can help – just say so. Deb McKay, a village health professional also offered to help with information and to answer your questions.

In order to help ensure all in the County receive the most up-to-date information in a format that is understood - County’s COVID-19 website (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/) and the emergency blog (https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/) can be translated in 160 languages.

Suggest you also subscribe to our District Supervisor’s and Chairman of the Board Newsletters. “The Herrity Report” can be accessed at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/herrity-report and the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Jeff McKay’s newsletters by clicking here. Both newsletters include pertinent websites to assist us during this emergency. Here are a couple bullets from their latest newsletters:

            Board of Directors Declares a Local State of Emergency - the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to declare a local state of emergency. Declaring a local state of emergency allows for the County and private businesses to be eligible for state and federal resources.

            Tax Relief - Fairfax County Department of Tax Relief has postponed the tax relief workshops until further notice. They have also extended the tax relief application deadline to June 1st.

Follow the guidance of trusted sources, such as the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the county’s coronavirus webpage for regular updates.  You can also follow the Fairfax County Health Department’s Twitter and Facebook accounts as well as the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page, Ready Fairfax, for real-time information.  Additionally, you can get the latest updates by texting FFXCOVID to 888777. From what I have seen, all seem to be lashed together nicely to prevent contradictory guidance. You can hit Ctrl and then click on these to redirect to that location.

Grab & Go Meals -

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is expanding the grab-and-go food distribution sites to 38 locations throughout the county.  The food distribution is set up outside at each site.  Additionally, county has added 5 non-FCPS sites to assist in obtaining meals. All students enrolled in FCPS schools and other County children receive one meal at no-cost; and, may have additional meals at no cost upon request. Adults may purchase breakfast and lunch meals at a cost of $2.00.

Breakfast will be served from 8 - 10:30 AM and lunch from 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the locations listed below:

And now these "pop-up" grab and go sites are also available. Both breakfast and lunch will be served within the hours listed by site:

  • Audubon Apartments, 10 - 10:30 AM, 7955 Audubon Ave., Alexandria
  • Bailey’s Community Center, 10 - 10:30 AM, 5920 Summers Ln, Falls Church
  • Gum Springs Community Center, 11 - 11:30 AM, 8100 Fordson Rd, Alexandria
  • James Lee Community Center, 12 - 12:30 PM, 2855 Annandale Rd, Falls Church
  • Willston Multi-Cultural Center, 11 - 11:30 AM, 6131 Willston Dr, Falls Church

Need Help? - Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services provides access and referrals to both government and community-based resources for Fairfax County residents in need.  If you are facing difficulties - including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, healthcare, and more other needs, please call 703-222-088 for assistance. For more information, click here.

What Can We Do?

            Support Local Business Community and Their Employees - Please consider supporting local restaurants by ordering carry out meals. If you can, please consider buying gift cards for later use that will give the businesses the cash they need today to survive until tomorrow.

            Donate Blood – If you are a healthy individual who is interested in donating blood, you can find more information on the American Red Cross website here.

            Donate to a Local Food Pantry - Families in the community are in urgent need for non-perishable food items and other supplies. Please consider donating to one of our food pantries or community partners in your neighborhood such as Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), and others.

            Check on Your Neighbors - Some of our neighbors are going to need more help than usual. Please take a moment to check in on them. Additional assistance is available from county. And, on our FaceBook Group we have many who have offered to assist village neighbors in getting groceries, medicines, etc. If you need help, but not on our FB Group – let me know and I’ll forward your request on to one of the kind volunteers. One thing I know about these volunteers – they actually want to help and not just saying they do.

Eminent Domain/Rolling Road Meeting – cancelled. Stay tuned for rescheduling efforts.

Fairfax County Budget Town Hall – Tonight at 7:00 PM, Supervisor Herrity will be hosting a virtual town hall to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the FY2021 Budget. County Executive Bryan Hill will be involved also to attempt to answer any questions you may have.

To watch the town hall:

You can submit questions:

We all should send in questions to at least let them know our feelings about yearly increases in our county tax liability. Otherwise – they keep on year-by-year digging deeper into our pockets.

Take care; stay safe. Saw a FB report of a group of parents who have their children drawing pictures and sending notes to residents in Assisted Living circumstances; what a grand idea. Suppose there are also a few service members out there who might welcome a letter from children of the home front. Not sure the current restrictions on handling mail, but suspect you will know before investing in such a project.

Wash your hands! Take care and stay healthy.

John Cooley, CAWSV

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