Village News, 3/27/20

Dear West Springfield Neighbor / Friend,

Look carefully at the stuff below; the world as we knew it is changing.

Yard Debris Collection Curbside is Suspended – Trash haulers met Wednesday evening with county Solid Waste Division to decide to suspend curbside collection of yard debris until further notice and also to suspend glass collections. County waived their requirement to give 30-day notice since the request was based on limiting exposure to the virus. Yes, I know what you’ll say – I said the same thing, but it is what it is – no more Wednesday collection of yard debris until further notice. Consider putting a bag or two in your trash toter since our trash is burned to help produce electricity. Oh – and do not expect a rate reduction; it ain’t coming according to county.

Glass collection points (purple rolloff container up behind the post office) are being removed. Glass now goes into your trash, not in your recycle toter, but into the trash. You can still deliver glass it to collection points at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill.

Recycle pickup on Mondays and trash pickup (including glass) on Thursdays are still on, but as we have said before – they will only pickup what is in the toter.

Pohick Steam Park and Accotink Watershed Cleanups - that had been scheduled for 4 April are cancelled; expect next attempt in the fall this year.

Village May Meeting is Cancelled – we will conduct the business, but in a different manner, probably using email. If you are racing off to find your copy of our constitution or by-laws, save the effort; I got this.

Community Cleanup – scheduled for 13 June is also in limbo and looking rather doubtful given county’s interest in limiting exposure to their workers. It isn’t cancelled yet, but looking rather doubtful. Gus Hagi makes frequent trips to the dump and for a negotiated price will be able to help you as well. He is at 703/775-0000.

Don’t Flush – don’t flush wipes down the toilet, even those labeled as flushable. Wipes may block your wastewater pipes and cause a sanitary sewer backup into your home. Repair and cleanup of such backups may cost thousands.

Volunteer Fairfax – from Brandi Morris (Rolling Road - is working with our nonprofit partners to identify opportunities to volunteer and provide help to our community in this time of need. The hungry still need meals, seniors still need a friendly note of encouragement, and animal rescues still need assistance. These opportunities will be posted in our Volunteer Now database. Our nonprofits also have many in-kind needs which we are can be found in our Donation Guide. Compassion and volunteerism are needed more than ever; and our volunteers have always been there to help our community!

During crises such as this, needs become more urgent, giving rise to new opportunities to serve.  Some organizations are developing unique ways to virtually serve our community. Volunteer Fairfax has asked our nonprofits to share these opportunities after ensuring they follow policies and guidelines, maintaining the safety of our volunteers and those whom we help.Please monitor and follow recommendations from trusted authorities regarding ways to prevent the spread of the virus, which may restrict or limit interaction among the public.

It’s important to remember, that volunteers must not display any symptoms associated with COVID-19, have not been in close contact with people known to have the virus and are not in a high-risk demographic. Most of all, you should feel comfortable with the volunteer opportunity itself. Volunteer Fairfax is constantly monitoring new advisories on the COVID-19 response and will share these resources on our website. Thank you for seeking ways to support our community through Volunteer Fairfax.

Virus Update - Only new information in this update. Please sign up for Supervisor Herrity’s Newsletters and also Chairman McKay’s newsletters. For more County updates and resources click here.

FCPS

  • FCPS will begin distance learning with students on April 14.
  • Distance learning resources are provided for all ages, elementary, middle, and high school and for special education students.
  • Learning plans include paper packets, video broadcasts, lessons/assignments on Blackboard, and web chats.
  • Many of FCPS's grab and go meal sites are transitioning to curbside service starting today, Friday, 27 March.

Health care resources for the uninsured

  • Fairfax County has compiled a list of health care providers that offer primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and pharmacies for those without insurance or Medicaid.
  • If you have coronavirus symptoms, call ahead to clinics before you go.

Inova – no updates since last village enews.

Fairfax Courts

  • All divisions of the Fairfax City and Fairfax County General District Courts - including the Towns of Vienna and Herndon - will not be holding regular court hearings through April 17. Some dockets will still be heard. More information about rescheduling can be found here.
  • The Fairfax County Circuit Court remains open and operating on a limited docket.
  • The Supreme Court of Virginia has declared a judicial emergency. All non-essential court proceedings are suspended through April 6.

Fairfax County Government – no updates since last enews

Fairfax County Parks

Medicine Disposal

  • Fairfax County Police Station take-back boxes for unused or expired medicines are closed until further notice.
  • Do not flush unused medicine because they end up in rivers and streams.
  • Here is more information and alternative locations for disposal.

Public Works PSA

  • With the increased use of sanitizing wipes due to coronavirus, Fairfax County wants to remind you that you cannot flush wipes down the drain. Even those that say "flushable" may block your wastewater pipe. Learn more.
  • Fairfax County Public Works and FCPS created a journal to encourage kids to discover their backyards and neighborhoods while social distancing. Print a copy here.

REAL IDs - REAL ID enforcement deadline has been extended to 1 October 2021.

Resources for the Arts - The team at ARTSFAIRFAX is providing information and resources that directly benefit individual artists and arts organizations. Learn more. The 4% Admission Tax passed in the Board of Supervisors; next up is public comment on 14 April. Our supervisor voted no to the tax given the unusual strain on many county residents. He was the only one voting no. Yes – I am a fiscal conservative.

Tax Extensions - The Board extended deadlines for:

  • The filing deadline for Personal Property Taxes for both individuals and businesses was extended to June 1.
  • The deadline to pay the first half of Real Estate taxes was extended to August 28.

Transportation – no updates

Unemployment Resources

  • Job seekers and employers in Northern Virginia have access to Virginia Career Works Centers: a comprehensive system of employment, training services, and resources delivered and coordinated through employment resource centers.
  • The centers are closed but there is virtual access

This site for businesses also has resources on unemployment insurance and Virginia's FAQs for workers, if you scroll to the bottom.

Common health questions: no updates

Resources:

  • 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.
  • They also have a video presentation in English and Spanish.
  • 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: 703/267-3511

We now have folks asking for help getting grocery, meds and other items. Thanks to those who have helped neighbors and certainly to those standing by ready to help as need be. Please let us know if or when you get to critical mass on essential items – we should be able to provide for each other. We’ll get through this and the ride will be made easier by sharing.

John Cooley, CAWSV

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