- Good news!
- Each household in the U.S. can now have four free COVID-19 at-home tests shipped directly to their home at no cost!
- All you need to do is visit https://special.usps.com/testkits and enter your contact information and mailing address.
- Orders are expected to ship within 7-12 days after being placed.
- New COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities for Teens and Children
- Individuals ages 12–17 years should get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose five months after finishing their two-dose primary series.
- Individuals ages 18 years and older should get any COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose five months, rather than six months, after finishing their two-dose primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- 5–11-year-old vaccine recipients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible to receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 28 days after the second dose.
- As Cases Surge, Health Department Modifies Return-To-Work/School Communications
- Due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax Health District, the Health Department will no longer provide individuals with clearance letters to return to work or school following COVID-19 infection or exposure.
- COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
- Schedule your vaccine appointment via Vaccines.gov.
- August, 2021 - Fairfax County Health Department determined that per CDC guidance we have unfortunately reached a "substantial" level of COVID-19 transmission. We are thus recommending that:
- Everyone, including individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19, wear a mask in public indoor settings.
- Support the COVID-19 Community Corps:
- receive fact sheets on vaccine safety and
- tips on how to talk with friends and family about the importance of vaccination.
- Third Dose Vaccinations Now Available for Individuals Who Are over 65 years old or who are immunocompromised
- Click here for more information.
COVID Resources
Rental Assistance Finder
From the White House:
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “Rental Assistance Finder” tool that members of your community can use to learn about emergency rental assistance is available now to tenants and landlords.
The tool is live at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp and you can use the hashtag #RentHelp on social media.
We would be grateful if you can share this far and wide!
From Fairfax County:
Struggling to pay your rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic? Here are two resources:
- Anyone currently residing in Fairfax County who is behind their rent should contact Coordinated Service Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. CSP will complete an assessment with the tenant and determine their eligibility for rental assistance. If they are determined to be eligible to receive assistance the tenant will be referred to one of the Community Based Organizations (CBO) in Fairfax County who are distributing these funds and payment will be sent directly to the landlord.
- The NEW Fairfax County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program may be able to help
Fairfax County is administering relief for renters experiencing a negative financial impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic through the NEW Fairfax County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program.
Through this program, you can apply (or your landlord may apply on your behalf) to receive funds to pay delinquent rent or utility arrear payments back to March 13,2020, and up to three months of payments into the future to maintain housing stability.
The total payments may not exceed a total of 15 months of rental assistance per household. Individuals who have previously received assistance from Fairfax County may apply again through this new program.
All residents experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to call Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) as multiple funding resources are available beyond ERA.
How CSP can help
Housing payments (rent, mortgage, fees, security deposit).
Utilities (electric, gas, water).
Immigration status, previous assistance and current employment are not barriers to assistance. Each case is assessed individually , and assistance is provided based on eligibility requirements.
Coordinated Services Planning
703-222-0880
Monday – Friday, 8am - 4:30pm
Press 1 for English and other languages.
Press 2 for Spanish.
Multilingual specialists and interpretation are available.
Vaccine Finder
All individuals in the Fairfax Health District who are 12 or older are eligible for the vaccine: reference VaccineFinder.org and COVID-19 Vaccination.
Important information about Wearing a Mask. For example, do not double mask when wearing a KN95 mask.
Fairfax County
Do you need help paying your Fairfax Water bill?
Eligible residents can apply for assistance through the COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program through Dec. 1, 2021
- COVID-19 Information (Testing, Vaccine, etc.) - www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19
- Telephone: 703-267-3511
- Emergency Information (Vaccine, etc.) - fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com
- Neighborhood and Community Services - www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/basic-needs-assistance
- Telephone: 703-222-0880
- Human Services Resource Guide - www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hsrg
- Text Message Updates - Text FFXCOVID to 888777
- Text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.
State & Federal
Other COVID Resources
Mental Health
Download COVID-19 Mental Wellness Community Support
Rent and Mortgage Relief
The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) has designated $50 million of the funds provided to Virginia in the CARES Act for households facing eviction or foreclosure due to COVID-19.
RMRP will provide short-term financial assistance on behalf of households in the form of rent and mortgage payments.
More information on the RMRP at www.dhcd.virginia.gov/rmrp.
Temporary Food Pantry at Fairfax County Animal Shelter
Fairfax County Animal Shelter offers a food pantry for local residents facing financial hardship to help care for their pets. The Shelter has a supply of dog and cat food available for residents who need temporary assistance. Call (703) 830-1100 or email animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov to arrange a time for pick up.
Free Grocery Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-up Service for Older Adults
In response to the increased needs of residents who are 60 years old and older and who require assistance, the Health Department’s Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Program provides a countywide grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up service. More information at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/neighbor.
From Congressman Don Beyer
COVID-19 Pandemic Resources & Updates For Northern Virginia
View this regularly updated web page for current information: Coronavirus News
Local Area Resources for Food and Other Needs
Download: MessageFromDonBeyer
Assistance from a Distance
From the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, how to access DFS Services remotely during the COVID-9 pandemic. Download Assistance from a Distance.
Health Resources
Videos on social distancing, how to protect yourself and in-depth testing information. Plus a checklist with the latest on testing. Download COVID-HealthResources.
Faith Communities
The County of Fairfax has issued updates and information specifically addressed to faith communities. Download Fairfax County Coronavirus Updates and Information.
- Unity of Fairfax will use the weekly email newsletters, video blogs, website, and exterior sign to update the community and provide inspiration.
- Please stay up-to-date with the latest recommendations.
A Silver Lining Behind “The Cloud”
The 11 a.m. Sunday livestream continues. You can join the congregation online.
Click on the livestream link to watch. Also, our dedicated staff continues to maintain office hours, as it is easy for them to maintain recommended social distancing.
In this time, I encourage you to maintain your financial support of Unity of Fairfax. You can donate now on our website or use the Txt2Give option (by texting “Give” to 703-935-4525) to support our ministry. As always, you can also mail your gifts to Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124.
An Affirmation for Health
Let us hold this affirmation together:
Centered in the awareness of the omnipresence of Spirit, we affirm healing and wholeness for all.
May those working on behalf of the common good be receptive to divine wisdom in the fulfillment of their call to service as this challenging experience is brought to a speedy resolution.
So it is, and so we let it be.
Yours In Unity,
—Rev. Russell Heiland