Village News, 3/25/20

Dear West Springfield Neighbor / Friend,

By now, you should be getting tired of these updates – and then something else happens that we think is time sensitive and needs to be shared with the village. I am competing with my wife’s telework for computer time so this is later in the day than I’d like it to be. Without shame, I cut and paste most of this from other sites that were previously listed in enews. Credit Supervisor Herrity’s newsletters, Chairman McKay’s newsletters and your input as well. Thanks! Let me know if you want to be removed from our email distribution list.

Rolling Road Project / Eminent Domain Meeting – that had been scheduled for tonight is cancelled.

Updates to the Virus, District, County and/or State – I trust that by now you are also lashed up with alert notification systems that are seemingly providing minute by minute update information. Check our website for the list of where to look for particular type information (https://www.westspringfieldvillage.org/). And since many/most of us have extra time on our hands, please visit the website to ideally offer our Webmaster, Bob Havey (havey@dtwod.com) constructive comments as a renter, home owner, potential renter or a homebuyer looking to invest in a village home. Like most, if not all of what we do, it is made better with your input.

Fairfax County - Effective tomorrow, Friday, 27 March at 5:00 PM, Fairfax County will close all government buildings and facilities to the public, until further notice. The County government remains open for business online, via phone, and by mail.

From Inova:

  • Starting today, 25 March, Inova Urgent Care (UCC) locations at Dulles South, North Arlington, and Tysons will staff Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. The three clinics will also be able to collect samples for COVID-19 testing via physician ordered vehicle-side appointments.
  • Before visiting any Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, take the following steps:
  • Contact your regular physician for evaluation. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS.
  • Your regular physician can evaluate your symptoms to determine if testing is needed based on COVID-19 testing criteria and provide a testing order, or refer you to the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic for evaluation.
  • Upon arrival at the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, a clinician will greet the patient at their vehicle to collect samples for a physician-ordered test, or escort the patient into the respiratory clinic for evaluation.
  • For patients who undergo COVID-19 testing, a UCC nurse will contact those whose results are negative. For patients with positive results, a UCC nurse will coordinate with the patient’s regular physician for notification and further instructions. Patients who are tested can expect results in roughly 4-7 days.

County Taxes - County Board of Supervisors extend deadlines for Personal Property Taxes for individuals and businesses to 1 June and Real Estate Tax payment of the first half is extended to 28 August.

Fairfax County Public Schools

  • All Virginia K-12 schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year.
  • All FCPS extracurricular programs, athletic programs, and community use activities are canceled during that same period.
  • The Virginia Department of Education will issue guidance on continuity of learning, as well as graduation requirements for 12th grade students.
  • FCPS is continuing to offer grab and go food distribution sites and meal delivery along some bus routes. Details on locations and times are available here.
  • Non-FCPS related childcare facilities may remain open, with guidance here.

Fairfax County Parks

  • All Fairfax County Park Authority parks and amenities will be closed to the public until further notice.
  • That includes 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. 
  • Trails will remain open.
  • Although not under Fairfax control it is worth noting that NOVA Park trails like the W&OD Trail are open, with park offices closed.

Retail Businesses - Essential businesses may remain open, while adhering as much as possible to social distancing orders and enhanced sanitizing practices. If not included in this list, businesses must adhere to a 10-patron limit, social distancing orders, and enhanced sanitizing practices. If not possible, the business must close.

Dining and On-Site Alcohol Establishments

  • Closure of all dining and congregation areas in restaurants, bars, and farmers markets will be effective at 11:59 pm, Tuesday, 24 March until 24 April.
  • Restaurants may continue delivery and carry-out options.

Recreation and Entertainment Businesses

  • Businesses ranging from theaters, fitness centers, beauty salons, racetracks, and bowling alleys are considered non-essential and must close at 11:59 pm today, Tuesday, 24 March until 24 April.
  • A full list is here.

Transportation

            1. Fairfax Connector - Services have not changed at this time, however due to decreased ridership, services will be reduced in the next week to ten days. Customers are now required to enter and exit the bus using the rear doors. This does not apply to customer­­s in need of the wheelchair ramp. Fare collection will be temporarily suspended.  

            2. Metro has significantly reduced its service by closing a total of 19 stations until further notice beginning on Thursday, 26 March due to low ridership and to conserve critical cleaning supplies. The most up-to-date service information is here. WMATA asks that customers do not use Metro unless absolutely necessary.

            3. Dulles and Reagan National Airports activity levels have decreased, but are still operational.

Health - Common health questions:

  • Wash your hands
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance

Resources:

            1. Fairfax County Health Department

  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777
  • Call the Health Department from 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM weekdays and 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM on weekends at 703/267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am - 8 pm.

            2. Inova has a helpful FAQ.

Thanks to those who have offered to help their neighbors and who have continued their help. Please let us know if or when you get to critical mass on essential items. We’ll get through this and the ride will be made easier by sharing.

John Cooley, CAWSV

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