Governor Northam issued an Executive Order today to help the region & thereby Arlington. More below.
Friends, 

Today, Governor Northam issued an Executive Order that will keep Northern Virginia safer in the midst of community spread here that is significantly greater than the other parts of the Commonwealth. I support the decision that came after the Arlington County Board joined with the other large localities in the region in asking for a delay.  
See the Letter we Sent to Governor Northam

The reasoning: our concern for your safety. By clicking on the button above you can see both the two page letter that the big five--the chairs of Arlington, Loudon, Fairfax, Prince William, and the Mayor of Alexandria--sent to the Governor, and an attachment that reviews the relevant data.

In both, we share that we are concerned about our economy but that our Public Health Directors do not see evidence that we have met the benchmarks necessary to reopen. Please see the last 3 pages in the link by clicking the button above. 

Why in a nutshell? We have a little more than one third of the people in the state, but over half the fatalities and more than our share of the case and there is no vaccine. We acted to try to keep us all as safe as possible.
The Governor's Executive Order # 62

The text of the Governor's order allowing Northern Virginia to stay closed through May 29th is available via the button above. If you or those you know have questions about what business restrictions would be lifted in Phase 1 for the rest of Virginia, please take a look. I hope you will agree that the Governor is taking a thoughtful approach with Executive Order 62.  
Every Friday, the County Board answers your questions regarding COVID 19. Click above and go to 5 minutes 45 seconds in for the start. To join me and Katie Cristol this Friday, go to Arlington County's website on Friday at 1230.
Where do we Stand:
As of today, we have over 1416 confirmed cases in Arlington and approximately 37,500 in the National Capital Region. We have more evidence that the curve is flattening in Arlington, but still at a level that is too high in the County and in the Northern Virginia region, at this stage, to reopen. We also have lost 66 individuals to COVID in our County. Even one is one too many.

Testing is the biggest issue we are working on with respect to whether, when, and how we reopen, and to nursing homes where the significant majority of deaths have occurred. I am pleased that the site we promised last week is now up and running at Arlington Mill in South Arlington. We are also working hard on additional testing for nursing homes, as we have throughout. Much more work needed over the coming two weeks and months to come, but this is a good step forward:
Arlington Mill/South Arlington Testing Site Opens
Resources During COVID 19 Response
As we respond, the best thing I can give you is the information you need. So, below is an article on the risks involved and how you can keep yourself safe that has been viewed more than 6 million times. Please read it. 
The Risks: Know them and Avoid Them
I am concerned about every Arlington resident's mental health during this crisis, so I ask you to go to this link for resources if you need them or if someone you know might benefit: 
https://mhanational.org/sites/default/files/Full%202020%20May%20Is%20Mental%20Health%20Month%20Toolkit%203.30.pdf or call 703-228-5150 if you need help during the day or, if an emergency, call 703-228-5160 at any time. No matter how hard this moment is, we are with you and you are important to me. 

Hunger. The Cooperative for a Hunger Free Arlington is working on feeding individuals who are homebound and there has been progress in the opening of two more school feeding sites through Arlington Public Schools: https://www.apsva.us/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/free-lunch-breakfasts-and-other-resources/  To learn more about the Cooperative's work, please click on the map below for a 30 minute ArlNow conversation that I think you will enjoy. 

If you want to help deliver food to those in need in Arlington, please go here: https://volunteer.leadercenter.org/civicrm/vol/?fbclid=IwAR1Xyb29FQYu5f6EWwAQDsS7E-rLYHJ3PtmquQwWTPr-ZqrE4wz1O86RjdQ#/volunteer/appeal/504
A map of the food pantries in Arlington. Click here to listen to a 30 minute description of hunger response in Arlington--the Cooperative for a Hunger Free Arlington. 
Housing. We are working on housing in response to COVID. Evictions are stayed though May 17th and we are working to extend that stay so that evictions cannot occur for a longer period. The $500K we worked for last year in dislocation prevention funding for Arlington Thrive has been added to with $300K more this year. I know this will be a big focus over the coming months and year.

I also did a video question and answer yesterday on housing over the longer term with the Arlington Young Democrats on the Missing Middle: 
Missing Middle Forum with the Arlington Young Democrats
Many of you have been coping by gardening. Yard waste was a big concern last week. I understand why: getting rid of yard waste is a significant challenge for some residents. I ask that you consider the resources via the button below and help us do the best we can for you, given that staffing the crews has been an implementation problem during this time. Specifically, look at the drop off sites and call options for potential solutions. 
Yard Waste
Finally, I want to share with you the means by which we can help the Gutshall family. You know how important this is to all of us, so I ask you to send in a contribution if able:
Contribute to the Gutshall Fund
Thank you for reading, caring, and remembering hope as we work through this very difficult time together. 

Yours, 

Matt
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