November 20th Newsletter

I was fortunate earlier this week to be able to join a COVID related online forum with Dr. Anthony Fauci. His talk served as the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s 2020 Hayden-Farr Lecture in infectious diseases - no better topic than COVID and no one better to address that topic than Dr. Fauci. What I appreciated most about Dr. Fauci’s presentation was how he distilled so much scientific information into a very simple and easy to understand message for how we can keep ourselves safe during the pandemic. He also discussed care for patients with the virus and the latest (and very positive developments) on vaccine research. You can see a recording of the presentation here.

In line with Dr. Fauci’s presentation and the CDC’s latest recommendations, Governor Northam announced additional statewide measures to help to contain the virus. I  have summarized those measures below and strongly encourage everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of the virus. We are at a particularly vulnerable time with the pandemic, not just due to colder weather conditions that are pushing us inside but also because of our desire to be with family and friends during the holidays. And staying vigilant in our mask-wearing and social distancing will help us beat “COVID fatigue.”   

I will continue to keep you informed with relevant, accurate information via Twitter, Facebook, and my website. Please email my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov or call us at 804-698-1173 if you have any questions or need assistance.

Sincerely,

Rodney

New Information

Upcoming Town Halls and Next Week’s Newsletter

When I was first elected as your Delegate I promised to send weekly newsletters during our legislative sessions to keep you informed on the happenings of the General Assembly. As we adjourned my first legislative session during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve decided to send these updates weekly to update you on our Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Next week there will be no newsletter because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but I will continue to keep you informed via Twitter, Facebook.

This Monday, House leadership announced that our 2021 legislative session will take place remotely. While I am grateful that we have made this decision to prioritize the health and safety of my colleagues, our staff, and the public, I will truly miss the meeting with my constituents in person. I am working on setting up virtual town halls and policy roundtables to make sure that your voice is heard ahead of this crucial legislative session.  Here are a few events that we are planning and more will be added soon. If you would like to set up a meeting with me as part of a constituent group please reach out to my Chief of Staff at Colleen@rodwillett.com.

• Health Care Provider Policy Roundtable
  December 1st, 6:30 - 7:30pm
  RSVP Here

• Educator Policy Roundtable
  December 3rd, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
  RSVP Here

These roundtables are an opportunity to have an informal conversation with me about the challenges facing your industry, and talk about the ways the General Assembly can better support you throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Opportunities to speak directly with my constituents are incredibly valuable to me, so I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider joining one of our events.

Governor Northam Announces New Statewide Measures to Contain COVID-19

Last Friday, in response to a surge of COVID-19 cases across the country, Governor Northam announced new actions to mitigate the spread of the virus in Virginia. While the Commonwealth’s case count per capita and positivity rate remain comparatively low, all five health regions are experiencing increases in new COVID-19 cases, positive tests, and hospitalizations. I encourage you all to watch this video from the Governor explaining the additional steps that the Commonwealth is taking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The following measures went into effect at midnight on Sunday, November 15th:

• Reduction in public and private gatherings: All public and private in-person gatherings must be limited to 25 individuals, down from the current cap of 250 people. This includes outdoor and indoor settings.

• Expansion of mask mandate: All Virginians aged five and over are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. This expands the current mask mandate which has been in place in Virginia since May 29 and requires all individuals aged 10 and over to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.

• Strengthened enforcement within essential retail businesses: All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, must adhere to statewide guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and enhanced cleaning. While certain essential retail businesses have been required to adhere to these regulations as a best practice, violations will now be enforceable through the Virginia Department of Health as a Class One misdemeanor.

• On-site alcohol curfew: The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is prohibited after 10:00 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room. All restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must close by midnight. Virginia law does not distinguish between restaurants and bars, however, under current restrictions, individuals that choose to consume alcohol prior to 10:00 p.m. must be served in a restaurant and remain seated at tables six feet apart.

Frequently Asked Questions on New Restrictions

Does the gathering ban apply to churches, schools, and workplaces?

• No, the social gathering limit applies only to social gatherings. Religious services of more than 5 people are required to meet distancing, cleaning, and safety restrictions, including seating parties a minimum of six feet apart and mandatory face coverings.

Does the gathering ban apply to Thanksgiving?

• Yes. All public and private in-person gatherings of more than 25 individuals are prohibited. A “gathering” includes, but is not limited to, parties, celebrations, or other social events, whether they occur indoors or outdoors. However, the Governor has NOT put a travel ban in place, nor is he mandating that folks stay home. He is urging Virginians to be smart, safe, ear masks, and consider ways to reduce risk, such as eating outside or having a virtual Thanksgiving.

Does the gathering ban apply to restaurants and businesses?

• No, the social gathering ban does not apply to businesses. Some businesses (e.g., restaurants) are prohibited from hosting over 25 people in a party, however, they may still have more than 25 people on their premises if six feet of physical distance allows. The 25 person gathering ban DOES apply to private parties and social events that may be hosted at restaurants, breweries, wineries, or entertainment and public amusement venues, for example, wedding receptions.

What about the restaurant curfew?

• Alcohol sales at restaurants, breweries, wineries, etc. must end by 10:00 p.m. Dining rooms must be closed between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Delivery and takeout services are unaffected.

What else has changed?

• Spectators at recreational sporting events are now limited to 30% occupancy or 25 spectators per field. Marathons and foot races are now limited to 250 participants if they can be separated into heats of 25.

• Entertainment and public amusement venues, and racetracks, and speedways are now limited to 30% occupancy or 250 people.

• Fitness and Exercise group classes are now limited to 25 people.

• Public beaches must prohibit gatherings of more than 25 people.

You can see more information on the Governor’s announcement online here, and read the full text of amended Executive Order Sixty-Three and Order of Public Health Emergency Five and sixth amended Executive Order Sixty-Seven and Order of Public Health Emergency Seven online here.

Governor Northam Signs Special Session Revised Budget

This Wednesday, Governor Northam signed HB5005, Virginia’s revised biennial budget, crafted during our special session on COVID-19 relief and criminal justice reforms. The Governor worked with legislative leaders to enact a spending plan that protects key priorities, preserves the Commonwealth’s financial options, and addresses critical challenges that Virginians are facing amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the full announcement online here.

The signed budget finalizes previously announced funding allocations that Virginia received under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including:

• Vaccination Program: $22 million for the Virginia Department of Health’s vaccination preparation and planning through the end of 2020

• K-12 Schools: $220 million for COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts in K-12 public schools, with all 132 school districts receiving at least $100,000

• Higher Education: $116 million to support ongoing COVID-19 response at public colleges, universities, and medical schools and $22 million for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to provide payments to private institutions of higher education

• Child Care: $65.8 million to increase access to child care and continue child care incentive grant program established in April

• Small Business Assistance: $70 million to establish the Rebuild VA economic recovery fund providing grants to small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the pandemic and $30 million in additional funds to continue the program

• Broadband Accessibility: $30 million to fast-track broadband projects in underserved localities

• Home Health Workers: $73 million to provide hazard pay to home health personal attendants who served high-risk populations during the early months of the pandemic

• Workforce Training for Unemployed Virginians: $30 million to established the Re-Employing Virginians initiative providing scholarships to individuals who enroll in programs in high-demand fields

• Rent and Mortgage Relief: $12 million to expand the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program launched in June

• Food Banks: $7 million to help Virginia food banks meet increased demand for food assistance

• Medicaid Day Support Providers: $25 million to fund monthly retainer payments for day support programs that provide services for Virginians with developmental disabilities.

• Free Clinics: $3 million to reimburse members of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics for COVID-19 expenses

The budget also puts a moratorium on utility disconnections, including water and electricity, which will remain in effect until the Governor determines that the economic and public health conditions have improved such that the prohibition does not need to be in place or until at least 60 days after the declared state of emergency ends.

The budget also prohibits evictions for non-payment of rent through December 31, 2020. Landlords and tenants must cooperate and apply for rental assistance through the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. After January 1, 2021, the budget requires landlords and tenants to work together to access rent assistance, including through the RMRP, before proceeding with an eviction.

DMV Assistance

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Northam announced that all 75 DMV locations would close their doors to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Today, 73 DMV centers are open, but by appointment only. Many centers are booked months in advance, however, the agency has been working to quickly adjust to these new challenges. Here are a few tips for navigating the DMV during COVID-19.

• Start online — DMV has expanded online services during the pandemic, so check and see if your transaction can be processed on the agency’s website. I much prefer my couch to a DMV office any day!

• Book an appointment — DMV is not accepting walk-in appointments; you must make an appointment in advance online. While many DMV centers are booked months in advance, try to refresh your page and check back for an earlier appointment time, as there have been some no-shows.

• Reach out to my office — If you are having trouble getting an appointment, particularly for a time sensitive issue, please reach out to my office at delrwillett@house.virginia.gov and we can assist you in securing an appointment.

Mental HealthCare Support

The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for us all, and has been particularly difficult for the millions of Americans that struggle with their mental health. Data from the state medical examiner has found that at least 1,086 Virginians died from overdoses of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, prescription opioids and other drugs from January - June of this year. This is a 39% increase in the number of deaths compared to the first half of 2019. Experts have suggested that this increase is likely a result of the increase of social isolation, job losses, and other fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

If you are struggling with your mental health or substance abuse, please know that you are not alone and there are many services available to provide support during this difficult time. Mental health is a fundamental part of our overall health and wellness, and while we are all focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19, it is just as important to attend to the added stress or grief brought by the pandemic. Here are a few resources on mental health and substance abuse you may find useful:

• The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is the state agency that helps people with substance use and addiction. The department has a toll-free telephone number — 877-349-6428 — for crisis counseling during the pandemic. It also connects Virginians to community service boards which provide local assistance.

• The state also has created a website called Curb the Crisis, which offers advice for preventing overdoses and treating drug addiction. The site has information about how to get training to administer naloxone, the antidote for opioid overdoses.

• The Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia is an advocacy group for people affected by substance use disorders and addiction. SAARA has recovery groups and information about the “Alive RVA Warm Line” — 833-473-3782.

• The McShin Foundation is a nonprofit organization in Henrico County serving individuals and families in their fight against substance use disorders. The group provides a residential program and other support led by people experienced in addiction and recovery.

I was fortunate to be a guest on the McShin Foundation Podcast “Get in the Herd with John Shinholser and Nathan Mitchell.” We had a wonderful discussion about addiction, recovery, and the work the General Assembly can do to better support individuals struggling with addiction. You can watch the podcast online here

Health Care Open Enrollment

The federal health insurance open enrollment period began on Sunday, November 1st, and will be open until Tuesday, December 15th. You can preview 2021 plans and prices online here, and see all other information online at healthcare.gov. If you do not enroll by December 15th, you will not be able to access 2021 health care coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. If you still need health care coverage for 2020 after the enrollment deadline, you still can obtain insurance in two ways:

• If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event like losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby.

• If you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you can apply anytime.