NEWSLETTER
APRIL 6, 2020
Neighbors in the 42nd District,
I look forward to talking with everyone today, April 6 at 7pm for my Tele-Town Hall with Delegates Mark Sickles, Paul Krizek, and Vivian Watts. You can participate using the following information: Dial-in: (605) 472-5239 | Access Code: 811044 | Submit questions here.
This is the beginning of National Public Health Week. I hope you join me in thanking all our public health workers who are at the front lines of battling the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. One way we can all show our appreciation is to continue to practice social distancing so we can help them as they continue to go to work to protect our public health.
Below are updates from Governor Northam and state agencies regarding Virginia’s response to COVID-19. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Best, Kathy
https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources
Updates from Governor Northam and State Agencies
Wearing Masks to Slow the Spread
Governor Northam recommends Virginians follow the updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding wearing cloth face masks when out in public to limit the spread of COVID-19. Law enforcement will not issue citations to Virginians who cover their faces with cloth face masks during this pandemic. Please note that our stay-at-home order is still in effect, and when we do go out for essential purposes, we need to follow social distancing guidelines. Recommendations from the CDC are here.
Healthcare Access
Field Hospitals Sites
As previously mentioned, the following sites have been selected for new field hospitals to help bolster our hospital capacity: Dulles Expo Center for Northern Virginia, the Richmond Convention Center for Central Virginia, and the Hampton Roads Convention Center for the Tidewater region. Governor Northam announced the contracts are being finalized and construction will begin this week.
Personal Protective Equipment
Governor Northam shared Virginia is moving forward on increasing our current supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). The state has executed a $27 million contract with a Virginia-based manufacturer to obtain PPE. That first shipment is expected to arrive next week. The Virginia Health Department is distributing the PPE materials we received from the national stockpile and is also working with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association to distribute one million reconditioned H1N1 masks.
Food Security
The state has begun shipping 56,000 meals ready to eat (MRE), or about a 6 week supply, to food banks across Virginia.
Online Notary Guidelines
Given the increased demand for remote online notarizations, the Secretary of the Commonwealth has published guidelines on electronic notary applications, which is here.
For my previous updates about how Virginia is addressing COVID-19 and related resources,