Over the past year, I’ve been doing all I can to help our community, Commonwealth, and country to recover from this terrible pandemic. Our office sponsored legislation to help provide PPE to nonprofits and private sector companies and help address the vast increase in food insecurity as a result of the coronavirus crisis. We’ve worked directly with many of you to address your own concerns around the vaccine, lost income, and profound loss. I’ve worked with my colleagues on legislation to accelerate vaccinations, open our schools safely, ignite our economy, and protect those who have suffered from further financial devastation.
And in the midst of this, I’ve found so much hope from the many ways in which our community has stepped up to the plate. Many of you have been so involved, whether through service as a healthcare or other frontline worker, checking on neighbors through our community outreach program or other means, or the work so many of you in our district do on helping with the Federal and State response. For all of that and more — I am thankful.
The global effort that led to so many vaccines in record time and the participation of so many of us in the DMV area in that effort was top of mind as I got my first dose of vaccine this week. I’m grateful that we will be opening up the vaccine to all Virginians 16 and older as of April 18, and hope you will register if you haven’t already so we can finally beat this pandemic. Additional information on vaccines and registration is contained further down.
Yom Hashoah
Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah, where we remember the millions of Jews, Roma, people with disabilities, and other persecuted groups who were murdered in the Holocaust. Many members of my family were killed. Others survived in hiding, like my grandmother Edith Shapiro. Among the most meaningful experiences of my life was having her, a woman who Nazis sought to kill because of her religion, attend my swearing in at the General Assembly. Being there, I never forget the cost of intolerance, and I’ll continue to fight for a Commonwealth that rejects hatred and racism.
Events & Meetings
Two Saturdays ago, I was proud to pin Second Lieutenant rank on my former staffer and lifelong member of our team, León, for his Commissioning Ceremony after successfully completing Officer Candidate School to become a US Marine. I know how hard he’s worked toward this — and am grateful for the many forms his service has taken and is continuing to take.
I joined fellow members of the Prince William County delegation with Prince William Health District Director Dr. Alison Ansher and Virginia’s vaccine coordinator Dr. Danny Avula for a vaccine town hall. We have made significant strides in vaccinating Virginians in recent weeks, and I have made it a top priority to ensure our community has access to vaccines and vaccine information. I look forward to the day when a majority of our community is vaccinated and we can gather safely among friends and neighbors as we once did.
Last Wednesday, we held a grassroots campaign kickoff. It was a pleasure to be joined by dozens of friends old and new, and Speaker Filler-Corn, the first woman and person of Jewish faith to hold the Speakership, for the evening. Thank you to all who joined for the occasion — and I look forward to meeting with many of you on the campaign trail.
Finally, since earlier in the pandemic, our team and I have been checking in with our neighbors to ensure they have the information and resources they need. This past week, we reached a key milestone — a phone call made to each of the 8,000 constituents 65 and older for whom we had a phone number in the district. For all of you who picked up and took the time to chat, we are so thankful for your time and insights. If you were someone we called but missed (or maybe we have a wrong number), please feel free to call me anytime at 571-762-4583 to express your concerns, questions, or needs. And I am so grateful to all the volunteers and team members who helped us reach this achievement. As always, my team and I are here as a resource during this difficult time.
Legislative Updates
Last week, so many of the bills we passed during the General Assembly’s legislative session earlier this year were signed into law. Not only does this include the bills we carried to help feed Virginians, tackle climate change, strengthen our democracy, and save taxpayer money, significant bills including the Virginia Voting Rights Act and creating tuition-free community college for lower and middle-income Virginians were signed as well. Yesterday, we gathered for our “reconvened session” to consider amendments that the Governor offered to other pieces of legislation. In addition to dealing with mostly technical amendments to our bills and budget, we moved up the timeline for legalization of simple marijuana possession to July 1, 2021.
COVID-19 Updates
Beginning April 18th, all Virginians ages 16 and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in our Commonwealth.
Prince William County residents should use the statewide system: if you have not already, pre-register at http://vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-829-4682.
Fairfax County residents: you will be able to register through the county system by April 18th. In addition to Virginians over 65, those living and working in long-term care facilities, those living in correctional facilities and homeless shelters, and Virginians with high-risk medical conditions, all essential workers (including those in phase 1c) can currently register here. Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from the county, including notifications once the vaccine becomes available to all.
Veterans and their spouses are also able to register through the Department of Veterans Affairs, whether or not the Veteran is eligible for VA care. The VA is struggling slightly with the Congressional mandate, so some of the information on their website and when you call in to the VA is wrong. To register and sign up for VA updates, you can go to this site. If you are in the DMV area and particularly if you are already registered for VA healthcare, regardless of whether you use the VA, you can call 202-745-4342 and make an appointment. Appointments are often offered the next day. The VA has not updated the information shared on its phone system, so ignore the system and wait for someone to pick up if you decide to go this route.
Finally, I am heartened by the progress we’ve made in vaccinating Virginians. From hosting county-specific town halls for Fairfax and Prince William Counties to address key vaccine questions to passing legislation making it easier to get shots in arms, taking action to combat coronavirus has been a top priority of mine and remains one as well. And in the past few months, Virginia has dramatically improved its vaccination rollout relative to other states.
Still, we have seen a concerning rise in COVID-19 cases, and health experts note a “race” between the vaccine. While I — like many of you — greatly look forward to being able to gather with friends, family, and neighbors for a meal or living room community conversation, we must all continue to remain diligent in masking and distancing to beat this virus.
Favorites of the Fortieth
Anzen Unmanned is a new company focused on aviation co-founded by Fairfax Station resident Fred Stein. They are seeking to utilize the full potential of airspace by creating solutions for autonomous and unmanned aviation. The team brings extensive experience in manned and unmanned aviation, including in the commercial, public agency, and military spaces.
Wishing everyone a good spring filled with warm weather and vaccines in the near future, if you have not gotten your shot already. Don’t hesitate to reach out if my office may be of assistance.
Warm Regards,
Dan Helmer