Constituent Newsletter - April 26th, 2021
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Dear Jack,
I hope you and your family are doing well during these tough times. We'll be sending out weekly Bulletins to update you on all the information you need in the 13th District. Please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding legislation or state policy. If you are having trouble with a state agency, such as the VEC or the DMV, we are happy to assist you and be your advocate. You can call our office at 571-367-9080, or email us at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Senator John J. Bell
Senator of Virginia
13th District
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COVID and Vaccination News
Last week, Governor Northam announced that he will be amending Executive Order 72 to loosen some safety restrictions due to the success of our vaccination program. Over half of Virginia adults have now received one or more shots, and we can now safely start to engage in more activities than before. These regulations will go into effect on May 15th. Some of the restrictions that will be changing:
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The limit on social gatherings will go up to 100 individuals for indoor events, and 250 people for outdoor events.
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For indoor entertainment events, the cap will increase to 1,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is smaller. Outdoor entertainment events will be able to operate at 50% capacity, without a specific cap on attendees.
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For recreational sporting events, the indoor capacity will be 250 spectators or 50% capacity, whichever is smaller. For outdoor sporting events, the cap will be 1,000 attendees or 50% capacity, whichever is smaller
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Restaurants may sell alcohol after midnight, and dining rooms will not need to be closed between 12am and 5pm.
Even if you are fully vaccinated, please continue to wear masks and socially distance. Research on whether vaccinated adults can spread the virus is still ongoing, so please continue to mask up and keep your community safe.
All adults over the age of 16 are now eligible for a vaccine in Virginia. Please sign up for your free vaccination at vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA.
The use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was paused briefly due to an investigation into fifteen cases of rare blood clots out of approximately 7 million shots, has resumed in the U.S. and in Virginia. The FDA and the CDC looked into these blood clots last week, and after investigating, they recommended that the pause be lifted and the vaccine continue to be administered, but with a warning about the possibility of blood clots. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has stated that this pause should increase our confidence in the vaccine, not decrease it -- we can see that the FDA and CDC are taking vaccine safety very seriously and investigating all adverse reactions, no matter how uncommon they may be.
Please get vaccinated as soon as you are able -- COVID-19 vaccinations not only keep you safer from infection, severe illness, and death, they also keep your friends, family, and neighbors safe. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer every day, so please do your part and make your appointment to get vaccinated.
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Early Voting Reminder
Early voting for the June 8th primaries is underway! The offices that will be on the June 8th ballot are:
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Democratic primaries for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General
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Democratic and Republican primaries for House of Delegates seats
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Democratic and Republican primaries for some local seats
The Republican Party will be choosing its statewide candidates (Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General) via a convention on May 8th. These offices will not be on the June 8th primary ballot.
For Loudoun County, the only early voting location that is currently open is the Loudoun Office of Elections, 750 Miller Drive SE Leesburg, VA 20175. Additional early voting locations will open in May. Additional information can be found at the Loudoun County Office of Elections website.
In Prince William County, three early voting locations are currently open. You can find locations and hours at the Prince William County Office of Elections website.
You can request your absentee ballot at the Virginia Department of Elections website.
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Coronavirus Numbers 04/26
Confirmed Cases (US): 31,883,289 |
Covid-19 Deaths (US): 569,272 |
Vaccines Distributed (VA): 5,931,905 |
Vaccines Administered (VA): 5,911,961 |
Confirmed Cases (VA): 654,929 |
Hospitalized (VA): 28,118 |
Covid-19 Deaths (VA): 10,706 |
Confirmed Cases (Loudoun): 27,104 |
Covid-19 Deaths (Loudoun): 274 |
Confirmed Cases (PWC): 49,843 |
Covid-19 Deaths (PWC): 538 |
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