Dear Village Neighbor / Friend,
You can pay your annual CAWSV dues using PayPal by clicking “Here”. We only need 200 more memberships to fund FY21 operations; how about making that one less by joining us or renewing your membership? Thanks!
COVID-19 Update – The latest from Fairfax County concerning the virus can be found here. And, check out this COVID-19 Information Page on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/coronavirus_info/?page_source=bookmark.
County’s Board of Supervisors (BOS) Chair reports that the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in Fairfax County from August 2 to August 16, 2020 has fluctuated between 5.2% and 5.8%. Hospitalizations for COVID-related illness remain low with a steady trend. County tests administered has been and remains above 10,000 tests each week since early July. PPE for hospitals continues to be adequate.
Should I get tested? The CDC guidance now states that healthy people who have been exposed to COVID-19 "do not necessarily need a test," as long as they don't have symptoms. That's a reversal from previous advice that clearly recommended testing for all close contacts of infected individuals, regardless of whether they had symptoms. You may recall that the CDC had previously emphasized that between 40-50% of people with Covid-19 are asymptomatic, and therefore getting tested was important to stop the spread of the virus.
Controversy is swirling about this new guidance, go figure. I suppose the best answer is to follow my primary care doctor’s advice.
Not so controversial is the upcoming Flu season. Experts suggest that the flu shot may be even more important this year. The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine in September or October. Since it takes our bodies two weeks to create antibodies after vaccination, getting the shot too early could result in less protection against the virus later on in the flu season, especially for us older adults.
CDC added - Routine vaccinations to include the flu shot should be deferred for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to ensure those in the healthcare setting are not exposed unnecessarily. Again, we all should follow the guidance of our Primary Care Doctors.
SACC - Fairfax County will host a K – 6th grade School Age Child Care (SACC) component for K – 6th grade at 37 county schools, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM starting 8 September. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack will be served. Fees (based on family income) and eligibility are listed on the website. Tthe closest school to us participating in this program is Keene Mill Elementary. Expect high demand; register early. See more and attempt to register at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/supporting-return-school-program.
Civic Association Membership Dues – use PayPal ($11) by clicking “Here”. Or send $10 payment using USPS. The FY21 membership form is attached. If you have moved from the village or do not intend to renew, please let us know.
If you use PayPal and are a new member or a current member wanting to change your directory listing instructions, please email me with your information:
1) First and Last Name of 1st Resident, First and Last Name of 2nd Resident
2) Street Address
3) Phone Number and
4) Email Address.
Also tell us what you want listed in the next directory.
If you use the attached form or just send your dues, mail to “CAWSV”, P.O. Box 2204, Springfield, VA 22152. Membership Chair Julia Hale or I will send you a confirmation email receipt and put you into that group who do not receive these reminders in their enews.
Why 3 Email Addresses? John.t.cooley@verizon.net is my principle email address. We added john.t.cooley@gmail.com when Verizon suspended me for exceeding 500 emails within a 60 minute period. That was when the little girl was found wandering in Rolling Road traffic; remember? And then we added president@westspringfieldvillage.org to facilitate sending the enews. Otherwise I would have to batch send several times with 100 addresses in each and wait for an hour to send the rest. Our webmaster, Bob Havey gave me the ability to send to all at one time. Best contact for me is the Verizon account, but I check each at least twice daily.
Aerator Recommendations – Who did you use to aerate you lawn last fall? And, would you recommend them to others? We had a crew come through leaving flyers on our mailboxes who did de-thatching, aeration and over seeding, but I can’t find their contact information. I do recall that they were good.
Mailman - Lover O’Brien suggests that we all thank our mailman or mailwoman often. Here’s her comments:
“Reach out to our wonderful, hardworking mailman, Mr. Quoe Vuong. My late husband, Jerry, told him years ago, ‘if you need water or the bathroom, knock on my door’. Since Jerry’s death, Mr. Vuong takes his hat off while delivering my mail in honor of Jerry’s kindness.”
I do not know if Mr. Vuong delivers to all of our village homes, but grateful to have mail delivered to my home, instead of the old trip to the post office to fetch the mail from a box. We still make that trip to the Post Office to gather association mail, especially during the membership drive.
Stay safe, happy and healthy.
John Cooley, CAWSV