May 21st Newsletter
We were exposed to a daily onslaught of stark numbers and statistics on the issues of the day prior to the COVID pandemic. Now, during this pandemic that data flow is even more overwhelming as our health agencies try to capture and convey to us the impact of the virus. The most recent reporting shows encouraging trends: our infection rate in Virginia is at its lowest point since the start of the pandemic and more than 64.5% of adult Virginians are fully vaccinated. That progress and changes in CDC guidance led Governor Northam to lift the mask requirement and announce the end of COVID mitigation measures on May 28th.
With all of these good numbers, however, there remain troubling statistics that show the lingering and, in some cases, devastating effects of COVID. We have lost more than 11,000 Virginians because of the virus. Then there are additional impacts and related consequences. Recently published statistics show that overdose deaths in Virginia increased a staggering 41% in 2020 - the worst year on record for fatal drug overdoses. And I have shared here before my concerns about the “fourth wave” of the pandemic that has created a mental health crisis for thousands of Virginians.
So, the numbers of the day may be showing us both encouraging and troubling news. I hope that we can find inspiration from the progress that we have made against the pandemic to take on these remaining challenges.
If you have any questions or need assistance with a state agency, please contact my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov or phone at 804-698-1073, and a member of my staff will be happy to assist you. I also will continue to keep you informed with relevant, accurate information via Twitter, Facebook, and my website. Please stay well and stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Rodney
New Information
Governor Northam Lifts Mask Mandate to Align with CDC Guidance, Announces Virginia to End COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on May 28
Last week, the CDC issued new guidance for fully vaccinated Americans. The CDC guidelines state that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in most indoor settings, except on public transit, in health care facilities, and in congregate settings. Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments. Employees who work in certain business sectors—including restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care, and entertainment—must continue to wear masks unless fully vaccinated, per CDC guidance. Those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
In accordance with this announcement, Governor Northam lifted the mask mandate and announced that Virginia will end all COVID-19 mitigation measures on May 28th. The updates to Virginia’s mask policy and mitigation measures are reflected in amendments to Executive Order Seventy-Two.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and the percent of positive tests continue to fall throughout the Commonwealth. Virginia is currently reporting a positivity rate of 3.5 percent, which is lower than at any time since the start of the pandemic. The Commonwealth’s seven-day average of new cases is 555, the lowest number in over 10 months. Virginia is currently recording its lowest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at 684. For additional data on COVID-19 on Virginia and vaccination efforts, please see the Virginia Department of Health’s data dashboards.
Expanded Child Care Subsidy Eligibility — Apply by August 1, 2021
This year I was proud to be a Chief Sponsor on HB2206 from Speaker Filler-Corn, which expands the eligibility for the Virginia Child Care Subsidy to help serve more working families. Virginians with children not yet in kindergarten and whose income is less than 85% of the state median income are now eligible.
Single parents earning up to $60k per year, families of four up to $89k per year, and more may be eligible The amount of the subsidy will depend on where a family lives, but, for example, a family with an infant looking for care in Henrico County can receive assistance valued at around $1,000 per month for care.
This program’s coverage is limited. Families can apply for child care assistance now through July 31 through the website CommonHelp at commonhelp.virginia.gov or at their local department of social services. Please take advantage of this funding and apply online before July 31st to meet the expanded eligibility requirements.
All Public Richmond/Henrico Health Department Vaccination Events Now Accepting Walk-Ups
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are now offering COVID-19 vaccines to any vaccine-eligible person who walks up at a vaccination event. Although scheduling an appointment is no longer required, individuals will continue to have the option to schedule an appointment online at vax.rchd.com or over the phone by calling 804-205-3501.
You can see more information on the announcement online here, and see a regularly updated list of all vaccination clinics. See below for a list of locations for next week:
Saturday, May 22nd
George Wythe High School — Pfizer
4314 Crutchfield St, Richmond, VA 23225
11:00am - 3:00pm
Tuesday, May 25th
Peter Paul DC — Moderna
1708 N 22nd St, Richmond, VA 23223
9:00am - 12:00pm
Hillside RC — Moderna
1615 Glenfield Ave, Richmond, VA 23224
2:00pm - 3:00pm
George Wythe High School — Pfizer & J&J
4314 Crutchfield St, Richmond, VA 23225
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday, May 26th
George Wythe High School — Pfizer & J&J
4314 Crutchfield St, Richmond, VA 23225
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Diversity Thrift — Moderna
1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
9:00am- 11:40am & 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Richmond International Raceway — Pfizer
600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
8:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday, May 27th
St. Thomas Food Pantry — Moderna
3602 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Richmond International Raceway — Pfizer
600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
8:00am - 6:00pm
Friday, May 28th
Virginia Union University — Pfizer
1359 W Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220
11:00am - 3:00pm
American Rescue Plan Funding and Upcoming Special Session
The Commonwealth expects to receive $4.3 billion in federal assistance through the American Rescue Plan, the COVID-19 stimulus package signed by President Biden in March. This week, we received further guidance on how these dollars may be used. The allocations are to help states respond to acute pandemic-response needs, fill revenue shortfalls, and support communities that COVID-19 hit hardest.
Unlike the CARES Act, this plan funds cities and counties separately, with about $2.7 billion in new funds, for a total of nearly $7 billion coming into Virginia state and local governments. Under the CARES Act, Virginia received $3.2 billion in aid from the federal government and we chose to distribute half of that allocation directly to local governments. This is a unique opportunity to invest in the long-term future of Virginia. The Governor and leaders from the House and Senate issued a joint statement on Shared Priorities for American Rescue Plan Funding. You can read the full announcement online here, and see below for a list of our priorities:
Help public health. The pandemic highlighted the need to upgrade state and local public health services, which have been long underfunded in Virginia, as well as the need to help people with the cost of housing and utilities.
Help small businesses. Virginia’s small businesses need help—especially those that were first to close and last to re-open. We intend to fully fund the Rebuild Virginia small business recovery plan and augment relief dollars for the hardest-hit industries—restaurants, hotels, museums, gyms, and theaters. We will invest in Virginia Tourism’s work to recruit visitors back to Virginia, and help our Housing and Community Development team invest in Virginia’s main streets, small towns, and industrial revitalization.
Help workers. The Unemployment Trust Fund needs a major infusion of new dollars to keep relief funds available for workers who lose their jobs—and avoid increased costs on Virginia businesses. The Virginia Employment Commission needs to continue upgrading its computer systems and hiring staff for a system that historically has been one of the lowest-funded unemployment systems in the country.
Help public schools. The pandemic highlighted the need to modernize public school buildings across Virginia. This includes rehabilitating and upgrading existing facilities, improving air quality and HVAC systems, and improving safety. We expect that other federal dollars will enable additional future investments.
Fully deploy broadband across Virginia. The pandemic highlighted a fundamental economic reality: people without broadband get left behind. This is a once in a generation opportunity. We can accelerate a 10-year plan over the next 18 months—and bring broadband to all of Virginia’s cities and rural areas.
The General Assembly will need to meet for a special session to allocate $4.3 billion in federal support. Speaker Filler-Corn announced that when the House reconvenes we will do so in person. During the 2020 special session and 2021 regular session, the House met virtually to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, while the Senate was able to continue to meet in person in a new socially distanced location. I have enjoyed being able to connect with more constituents through virtual meetings, but I am thrilled to return to the House in person this summer to allocate funding and invest in our future.
Virginia DMV will Expand Appointment Opportunities
In line with Governor Northam’s announcement to ease current COVID-19 restrictions, DMV will open more windows and testing stations in its customer service centers beginning June 1. As of Monday, customers can now schedule these new appointments.
Additional windows and testing stations will open in stages June 15 and into July as DMV continues to hire and train new employees. In all, these changes will create 184,000 additional appointment opportunities across the Commonwealth and add to the more than 530,000 appointments Virginians have already scheduled over the next three months. DMV customer service centers and mobile operations teams will continue to operate by appointment only for specific services which generally necessitate an in-person visit. Appointment opportunities are currently available for a 90-day period. Customers can schedule an appointment by visiting dmvNOW.com/appt.
If you need assistance with a DMV related issue, please do not hesitate to contact my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov, and my staff will be happy to assist you.
Virginia Employment Commission to Speed Up Processing of Unemployment Claims
Governor Ralph Northam has directed the Virginia Employment Commission to invest $20 million to dramatically expand the agency’s ability to process complicated unemployment insurance claims. Executive Directive Sixteen requires the agency add 300 new adjudication staffers, make immediate technology upgrades, and complete a full modernization of the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance system by October 1, 2021.
While Virginia ranks sixth in the nation for the timely payment of benefits to eligible applicants, the Governor’s action will speed up the resolution of cases flagged as potentially fraudulent or ineligible. These cases represent approximately four percent of all claims. Virginia ranks 51st out of 53 states and territories for the amount of federal funding it receives relative to what Virginia businesses pay in taxes. That problem was hidden by years of low unemployment and a consistently strong economy, and the pandemic has highlighted this reality.
You can see more information on the Governor’s announcement online here. If you need assistance with your unemployment claim, please do not hesitate to contact my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Governor Northam has issued a proclamation declaring May as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. AAPI Virginians have contributed so much to our Commonwealth in all areas of life including business, education, arts and sciences, law enforcement, and our military. I had the privilege of celebrating AAPI Heritage Month last week at the Live Parade of Asian Nations: March for Peace & Harmony hosted by the Asian American Society of Virginia.
It was wonderful to see such an amazing turnout from folks across the Central Virginia region, and an honor to see performances from so many different countries and cultures. Please join me in celebrating the unique contributions AAPI Virginians have made to our Commonwealth and help build a more equitable and inclusive Virginia.
Statewide Sunday with Jay Jones, Candidate for Attorney General
Please join Delegate Schuyler Van Valkenburg and me this Sunday, May 23rd for a conversation with our friend and colleague, Delegate Jay Jones, on his race for Attorney General. This will be our last statewide Sunday, as primary election day June 8th is quickly approaching! RSVP online at bit.ly/3fVSK71 then make a plan to vote at iwillvote.com. You can see more information on how to vote and see sample ballots for your precinct on the Henrico County Registrar website.
