Dear All,

Namaste!

The following updates are from the Fairfax County Health Department:
The CDC states, “The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people.” It does this mainly through respiratory droplets that, as we know, can be spread by coughing and sneezing. However, they have added that it can be spread simply by talking to a person with the disease and also that spread may happen before symptoms are present. It can also be spread by touching objects that infected people infected have touched.While some of this information is new, it all leads to imploring all of us to establish the same behaviors we have been talking about!Be diligent about social distancing. Don’t go out if you don’t absolutely have to. And when you do have to go out,Stay 6 feet away from peopleWear a face covering which will prevent you from spreading the disease if you have it and help you not to touch your face Wash your hands frequently or bring hand sanitizer with you and don’t touch your faceJust to say it again – WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY! Just because it is common sense, doesn’t mean it’s common practice.If you are at all sick – Stay Home and isolate yourself immediately! If you have COVID-19, in a vast majority of cases you will get better over time. If you develop shortness of breath, call 911 or go to the emergency room – but call first.

If you have been in direct contact with someone with COVID-19, stay home and self quarantine for 14 days. This way if you have contracted the disease, you will not spread the disease to others.

Wearing face coverings is a new recommendation by the CDC. Here is a great link with easy ways to create your own masks! (And remember to save surgical and N95 masks for health professionals who need them as they fight this disease on the front lines.)

Many in our community are concerned about their rental payments and what will happen to them. Here is the latest on tenant-landlord rights. The key messages are:

A tenant cannot be convicted without going to court
No evictions will be issued or processed until April 26
Payment of rent is still expected, as are repairs and maintenance
Utilities should not be cut off before mid-May

More information can be found by calling the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Department at 703-222-8435.

You may steer people to basic needs assistance in this time of increased need. Those without health insurance can go to this site and get information in several languages. Or just click here to be taken directly to a list of providers.

Finally, the county has pulled together information about many basic needs resources that you or your neighbors might need as we navigate these time together – please visit and share this blog post to learn more about them.

Remember – stay home if you can, keep your distance (but smile and say hi) when you can’t.

Stay healthy and safe all!