Newsletter - March 24, 2020 | Mark Levine for Delegate

Governor Northam yesterday announced the most drastic measures yet in our Commonwealth's collective fight to stop the spread of COVID-19. This is vitally important information that I urge you to read below. There is also critical information in the links in the left-hand column.

The Governor of Virginia gives a press conference every single day (even weekends) at 2 pm, unless I otherwise notify you. You can and should watch them every day live on the Governor's Facebook Page.

PERSONAL NOTE:
Before we get there, I just wanted to encourage everyone to stay strong. These are tough unprecedented times for most of us, both for Americans and for people worldwide. Perhaps at no time since World War II has virtually the entire world been asked to contribute so personally, individually, and universally to saving lives.

We are all in this together. Literally every single human on the planet can do their part to either fight the virus or help spread it. This takes a toll on us not just physically but psychologically as well. So rarely do our own individual actions so easily contribute to either consciously saving a life or inadvertently taking one.

Please be careful and follow the guidelines about social distancing, hand washing, and sanitizing. Please make sure you are mentally and emotionally healthy as well. Check in on those you love with a phone call or a text. And if you know anyone who is depressed or suicidal, there are hotlines to help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, or the Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990.

If there is anything that I personally can do to help or if you know someone that is in need of help, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at 571-234-8481 or via email at [email protected].

Now to the critical news:

Governor Northam yesterday announced the most drastic measures yet in our Commonwealth's collective fight to stop the spread of COVID-19. They go into effect at midnight tonight.

You can watch his announcement by clicking here.

Read the Executive Order and learn more about it by checking out the links below:

Here's what you need to know:

ALL schools (public and private) are closed for remainder of school year.

The Virginia Department of Education will be issuing guidance in the next 24 hours to help parents and school districts navigate this new reality.
Meals will continue to be provided. Text FOOD or COMIDA to 877877. Or go here
The goal is to continue instruction to the fullest extent possible. High school seniors on track to graduate will still be able to do so.
Day care continues (with public health measures).

He also announced new social distancing regulations that will go into effect midnight tonight (so beginning Wednesday, March 25) and will be in effect at least 30 days:

Restaurants closed except for takeout and delivery.

All hair salons and barber shops, spas and massages (i.e. non-essential businesses that can't practice social distancing) closed.

Entertainment closed, including bowling alleys and theaters.

Retail only allowed with 10 patrons or less and extensive sanitizing.

Gatherings of more than 10 banned, whether they are private or public.

Groceries, pharmacies, banks and other essential businesses can remain open, but they must adhere to social distancing and increased sanitizing.

For a comprehensive list of actions Governor Northam has announced to combat COVID-19 in Virginia, visit
https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/

WHO IS MOST AT RISK? - Older adults and those with compromised immune systems.

PRECAUTIONS - Virginians can take precautions to prevent the potential spread of this disease:

If you are at higher risk, stay home.
If you are sick, stay home.

SOCIAL DISTANCING:

Maintain 6 feet of separation from any other person.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid crowds as much as possible.
Avoid non-essential travel.

GOOD HYGIENE:

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects people frequently touch.
Use elbow or back of your hand to touch elevator buttons.
After washing, use a paper towel to open bathroom doors and turn off sinks after washing.

If you have the symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever of over 100.4 F, coughing and/or shortness of breath, please contact your primary care physician for information on an exam and testing.

If your physician is not available or you do not have a primary care physician, contact an urgent care center or Neighborhood Health.

Click here for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Virginia Department of Health's website has valuable information about safety precautions, emergency contact information, and the status of the virus in Virginia.

Preparedness Checklist in the Event of a Pandemic - for Individuals and Families

Don't Forget to Take the 2020 Census!

Image result for 2020 census During this difficult time, we must not forget other necessary responsibilities we must complete as Americans. One very important duty, which only happens once every 10 years, is to fill out the Census. Not only is the information from the Census used for statistical reasons, it will be used for essential items such as allocation of federal funds, redistricting, and informing decisions on where to build and maintain important facilities such as schools and hospitals. Please visit the official Census website here to fill it out today!

A HISTORICAL NOTE

The last great pandemic occurred a little more than a century ago in 1918. One third of the world's population at the time -- 500 million people -- got a particularly deadly coronavirus, and that influenza killed 50 million people worldwide, including 675,000 people in the USA, or about 7 in every 1000 Americans. More died worldwide from the 1918 pandemic than died in all of World War I from 1914-1918.

Even President Woodrow Wilson contracted this virulent flu.

Today, with proper forewarning, caution, and social distancing, we can prevent the tragedy of 1918.

MORE QUESTIONS?

The Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) has asked that any questions you may have about the virus and Virginia's response be directed to: [email protected] where a staff member will be able to answer your question or direct you to the right agency to get your question answered.

Feel free to cc me ([email protected]) so that I can make sure you get your questions answered.

Again, stay strong. I am here for you. So is our Governor and professionals throughout Virginia's government agencies.

I've always been extremely frank with you. Some may say I'm too direct, but I don't like to sugar-coat or rely on euphemism. I believe in telling it like it is. So here goes:

For two months, the Federal Government was largely AWOL during this crisis. Trump played down the threat of pandemic. He rejected highly accurate testing developed in Germany, approved by the World Health Organization, and used with great positive result in South Korea. A couple of years ago, the Trump Administration fired the entire US pandemic response team to cut costs. The Administration also requested cuts to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that thankfully, Congress refused to give.

So here we are. Due to Federal negligence, tests which should have been ready months ago were unavailable. Virginia and other states weren't even given permission by the Administration to create our own tests until about about 10 days ago (and we couldn't do them without such permission). There is a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment like face masks. And there is a shortage of ventilators and hospital beds.

Yes, all of this pre-emptive protection should have started the moment the Federal Government heard about the virus in December 2019. But unlike in past responses to SARS, H1N1, and Ebola -- for which Presidents were criticized as being too proactive -- the Federal Government this time was simply not that proactive, and the consequences have been devastating. Thankfully, for a little over a week now, they have largely been on the ball It's a day late and a dollar short -- definitely too late to do as much good as could have been done if they had acted months ago. But better late than never.

Meanwhile your state government -- and the governments of other states -- have been stepping up to the plate.

Some have criticized our Governor for going too far in response to this crisis. Some have criticized him for not going far enough. But please rest assured that your entire Virginia Government -- including your delegate -- is working overtime to get the latest, best information to you and to protect both your physical health and your economic health as best we can.

This is a uniquely grim situation. None of this is easy. Some folks who used to think the government is always bad are actually turning to government now.

It is our job to do all we can to save lives.
But it is not government's job alone.

Please do your part.

Be careful. Be aware.

Wash your hands.

Practice social distancing.

We can't see the virus. But such simple actions as good hygiene can save as many lives as a brave firefighter entering a burning building.

Please be safe.

We will get through this all together, so long as we each commit to helping one another.

Thank you again for the honor and privilege of representing you.

Delegate Mark Levine
Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax in Virginia's 45th District