Tag: Annandale
Inova seeks plasma from people who recovered from COVID-19 for research study
Inova Fairfax Hospital If you’ve had COVID-19 and recovered, Inova Health System wants to study your blood. Actually, what Inova wants is your plasma, the colorless fluid part of blood, which contains immunoglobulins (immune protection), and could be used by researchers working on treatments for patients currently sick with COVID-19we. To qualify for plasma donation, … Continued
Fairfax County schools went digital – with a few glitches
Teachers at Braddock Elementary School in Annandale were ready for online learning. Updated, April 15: FCPS announced “due to ongoing technical issues with the Blackboard 24/7 system, teacher-led instruction is canceled for the remainder of today, April 15. FCPS is working closely with the Blackboard technical team to address these issues. The first day of … Continued
Supervisors approve microloans for businesses
The Board of Supervisors conducts a virtual meeting, with board chair Jeff McKay and staff spread out in a conference room and the supervisors at their district offices. During a virtual meeting April 14, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a new microloan program to help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus crisis. The $2.5 … Continued
Coronavirus cases continue to rise
Beech Tree Elementary School has a positive message for people in social isolation. COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County continue to climb, surpassing 1,000 over the weekend. The total number of cases in the Fairfax Health District went from 942 on April 11, to 1,011 on April 12, and to 1,167 on April 13. Most of … Continued
Long list of new laws signed by Northam
Northam Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed dozens of bills into law in recent days, on criminal justice, marijuana decriminalization, voting, energy, Confederate monuments, discrimination, clean energy, workers’ rights, and more. The bills take effect July 1. The General Assembly plans to reconvene on April 22 to consider Northam’s amendments to some of the bills. Northam … Continued
Fairfax County proposes more flexibility for home-based businesses and accessory dwellings
A photo of an illegal accessory dwelling in Arlington published by Greater Greater Washington. (Radcliffe Dacanay licensed under Creative Commons) Fairfax County is proposing to loosen the zoning rules for accessory dwellings and home-based businesses. The changes are part of the Department of Planning and Development’s multiyear effort, known as zMOD, to rewrite the county’s … Continued
Revised school budget reflects impact of COVID-19
A screen shot from a virtual school board work session April 9. From the left: school board chair Karen Corbett Sanders (Mount Vernon), Tamara Derenak Kaufax (Lee), Megan McLaughlin (Braddock), and Superintendent Scott Brabrand. Fairfax County Public Schools will have far less revenue and more expenses than previously anticipated, due to the coronavirus pandemic. As … Continued
Southern Towers tenants call for rent strike
Southern Towers Residents of the Southern Towers apartment complex in Alexandria’s West End are organizing a rent strike. According to a story published by WAMU, many tenants have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic and can’t afford rent and are also concerned about unsanitary conditions in the building’s common areas. A petition circulated … Continued
Historic gun safety legislation enacted in Virginia
Members of Moms Demand Action (right) watch the General Assembly consider gun legislation in January. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law several bills passed by the General Assembly aimed at reducing gun violence, including the following: Senate bill 70 (incorporating House bill 2) requires background checks for all firearm sales and transfers, including those … Continued
Virginia repeals overly restrictive abortion rules
Tarina Keane, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice VA, speaks in January in support of legislation to overturn restrictive anti-abortion laws. Legislation enacted in Virginia, signed by Gov. Ralph Northam April 9, repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on women’s reproductive health. Senate Bill 733 and House Bill 980 eliminate the requirement of an ultrasound and a mandatory … Continued
Real Food for Kids provides free pizzas in Annandale
Pizzas from Pizza Paradaiso. Real Food for Kids, an organization that promotes healthy food for schoolchildren, launched the Chefs Feeding Families initiative last month to provide free meals to children in need and families affected by job losses while schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic. This weekend, the program expands to the Annandale area, … Continued
Coronavirus roundup: a spike in new cases, inmate release, cocktails to go, pet food bank
More new cases – The number of COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax Health District has seen a big jump in recent days. As of April 10, there are a total of 778 cases, 88 new cases, and 19 deaths. There were 38 new cases on April 8 and 120 new cases on April 9. There … Continued
Primary elections delayed two weeks
Gov. Ralph Northam has delayed Virginia’s primary elections from June 9 to June 23, due to the social distancing requirements in effect during the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic primary ballot includes a contested election in the 11th congressional district: The incumbent, Rep. Gerry Connolly, faces challenger Zainab Mohsini. Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Don Beyer … Continued
Census jobs available
Census jobs are still available in the Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax areas, even though the U.S. Census Bureau has suspended field operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. 2020 Census field offices are still open and operating with reduced staff. Full and part-time jobs are available. The hourly pay rate ranges from $22.50 to $27.50 an … Continued
Giant and Safeway are limiting occupancy
The new Giant in Seven Corners. Giant Food is implementing new social distancing policies in all its stores to better protect the safety of customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic, the company announced April 7. A customer count system will be established on April 9 to ensure occupancy is limited to 20 percent of … Continued