First, COVID and some resources to help. The case positivity rate for the past 8 weeks has been above 5%, the CDC's standard for danger of a surge. As I write, the positivity rate is 6.9%. That is way too high. We must be vigilante now. Even as we can see the light far off at the end of the tunnel, more than 2,000 Americans have been dying each day of this disease in recent weeks.
We need to know where the most likely places to get infected are in Arlington: work, gatherings, and restaurants, are among the places that lead to most cases: https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/contact-tracing-sources-covid-19-exposure
I support the limitations the Governor have put forth over the past two months in part because of the locations in Arlington, but also because of the many cases and deaths across the country. His steps were prudent in my view because of the increase in infection rates in Arlington, the region, and across Virginia.
- Smaller numbers of individuals in gyms, gatherings of 25 (lowered from 200), and limitations on serving alcohol after 10 pm, are consistent with my assessment of cases, both from the data from Arlington's Public Health Director and the other data that I have reviewed.
- For the Governor's Order, go here: https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/covid-19-governor-virginia-alcohol-curfew/
- To watch a four minute video on this, go to the link I just mentioned & click on the bottom right You Tube Video.
- To read about the disproportionate racial impact of COVID I received this informative article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-race-mortality-rate/?itid=ap_dankeating We must continue our focus on equity.
And, perhaps most of all, for Arlington specific resources to help you be safe, get tested and help with housing or via other services go here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/covid-19/
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I helped the Randolph PTA get food and masks out on Friday, November 20th.
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Much has been said and written about the vaccines this past month. What is clear is that vaccines are not yet widely available for the general public and it will take months for them to become available to many of us:
- To learn the big picture go here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/17/covid-vaccines-what-you-need-to-know/?arc404=true
- To see why we must manage our own expectations and others expectations, go here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/05/operation-warp-speed-coronavirus-vaccine-shortfall/
- To watch a video on what must happen go here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-60-minutes-2020-11-08/
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COVID 19's impact on Arlington County's Budget--Video of Chair Garvey and me.
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See the video above for my comments on the County Board wrap up.
The Board considered Arlington County's financial position in both the current Fiscal Year (called FY 2021 because it runs July 1 of 2020 to June 30th of 2021) and next fiscal year (FY 22). It was a sobering reminder of the economic consequences of COVID which will be with us for years to come.
To learn more about our work for 2022, go here for our budget guidance: https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/county-board-focuses-on-covid-19-in-fy-2022-budget-guidance/ (For the Board's precise language, look for the link in the press release.)
On both FY 21 and FY 22, those of us who work from home should remember that there are portions of the County's revenue that are dependent on hotel tax revenues, restaurant tax revenues, and businesses operating here. These industries and businesses have been hit hard by the economic downturn.
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Missing Middle Housing
Another critical priority for me and the Board is our work to help address the difficulty Arlington is facing on the affordability of housing. On October 28th, we held the missing middle kickoff for the fall.
To watch the kickoff, please go here and you will need to download Microsoft Teams. https://housing.arlingtonva.us/missingmiddle/
Alternatively, you can view the slides used in that presentation here: https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/10/MMHS-Kick-Off-Meeting_Presentation.pdf
The bottom line you need to know: we must change and manage how we grow, not fear growth or unrealistically resist growth. Missing middle is our direction for adding housing that can help address the future. Our policies can make housing more affordable than single family housing and the status quo, but will not prevent housing prices from going up--only help keep pricing increase much more slowly than if we did nothing.
To share your thoughts on missing middle by December 31, please go here: https://arlingtonva.konveio.com/missingmiddle
Want to know why missing middle is necessary for racial equity? Watch this video:
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Worth watching as you seek to learn more about housing and race in Arlington.
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Many have asked about how we go about opening our schools. First and foremost, the authority for whether, how, and when to open our schools is with the School Board and the Superintendent. County Board members we have a critical responsibility to be good partners with both. I continue to empathize both with parents and teachers who are strained by the ongoing pandemic. I recognize that teachers have reasonable worries for their health about being in classrooms and parents feel it is incongruous that restaurants and bars are open and schools are not.
Staying informed and engaged and knowing the actual data and decisions is where I have focused. For instance, Loudon closed last week. Germany has now closed its schools. Watch this video to learn more about the process:
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7 minute Video of What Returning to School Looks like
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I want to share with you one additional video: a truly special conversation between David Brooks and Diane Kresh about building community via Mr. Brooks path toward person fulfillment. Click below to watch it and I know you will be glad you did.
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Diane Kresh and David Brooks in a fascinating talk via Arlington Reads.
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Here's a quick list of other November County Board items of interest:
- Restorative Justice is now part of Arlington's work. To learn more, go here: https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/county-board-accepts-restorative-justice-plan/
- To help Arlington restaurants and find good food for delivery or takeout, go here: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/covid-19/support-our-local-businesses/arlington-restaurants/
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I made a trip to Arlington Presbyterian Church at Gilliam Place this month and was able to share books with a few happy students. (Picture is approved to share by parent.)
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Finally, I want to ask you to help in three ways:
1. Take Arlington's Dialogue on Race and Equity Survey by December 31. We are at 2700 on the way to 3500. Please engage. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G9YWWP9
2. Make phone calls into Georgia. There is nothing that will happen over the next 14 days that is more important to Arlington's future than winning this election: https://arlingtondemocrats.org/start-making-difference-now/election-volunteering/
3. Give as you are able to the Arlington Community Foundation's effort to meet the specific needs of Arlington: https://arlcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/grant We are working our way toward the goal and we have $37K left to raise.
Thank you for reading. I continue to serve you with a full heart.
Happy holiday,
Matt
P.S. If you have a question about this email, this month, you'll have to reach out to my facebook page and direct message me or email me at [email protected]. My Matt for Arlington email is down for the moment.
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