NEWSLETTER

APRIL 7, 2020

Neighbors in the 42nd District,

Thank you to everyone who joined the Tele-Town Hall that I held last night with Delegates Mark Sickles, Vivian Watts, and Paul Krizek. I am going to schedule additional Tele-Town Halls this spring - more information to come.

Below are updates from the federal government, state agencies, and Fairfax County regarding our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. 

Best, Kathy 

https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources 

Federal Updates

Support for Employers 

As part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the US Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Services launched the Employee Retention Tax Credit. This refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here.

Updates from State Agencies

Religious Observations

The Frequently Asked Questions page regarding Virginia’s response to COVID-19 is updated regarding religious services. As we begin observing many religious holidays in the coming weeks, please continue practicing social distancing. More information here.

Healthcare Access

Tracking the novel coronavirus 

The Department of General Services’ Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services will be one of the first public health labs in the country to use genetic technology to map the genetic fingerprint of the novel coronavirus 2019. Doing so helps inform our public health officials’ strategy for addressing the pandemic. The announcement is here. 

Stopping elective surgeries and Personal Protective Equipment

I have received questions from constituents regarding Governor Northam’s mandate for hospitals and medical offices and facilities, including dental offices, to halt elective surgeries, which I shared previously. Public Health Order #2 was implemented to help reserve personal protection equipment for healthcare professionals and frontline staff fighting COVID-19. It does not apply to procedures that would cause patients harm. More information is here. 

Education

The Virginia Department of Education has published Frequently Asked Questions regarding special education and student services during the mandated school closure. The FAQs address Individualized Education Plans, healthcare services, and more. They are here. 

Fairfax County

Fairfax Connector 

The Fairfax Connector announced additional service reduction, starting April 11 until further notice. More information is here. 

For my previous updates about how Virginia is addressing COVID-19 and related resources, see https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources.