The governor of Virginia has proposed guidelines for reopening regions in Virginia. Part of those guidelines include decreasing cases of COVID-19. The Northern Virginia region is still not seeing those declines. Governor Northam announced that he will make a final decision about Northern Virginia moving forward into Phase I of Forward Virginia on Wednesday. The risk profile for our community remains the same: high
As you can see from above, the curve in Fairfax County is still going up. It seems that the region is at least 4-6 weeks behind where New York is in this crisis. The fact that New York is starting to be better gives hope that we will be seeing the same thing soon.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE continue with your social distancing, masks in public, cough into your sleeve, wash your hands frequently, and try not to touch your face.
In other news you can use
Fairfax County Health Department’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program has launched a grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up service for County residents age 60 and over. To request shopping and pharmacy pick-up call: 703-324-7948
If you have not done so already, now would be a perfect time to be counted in the census. https://2020census.gov/ will get you started.
There are two elections coming up and Fairfax County is encouraging voters to vote by mail. COVID-19 is a valid reason for requesting to vote by mail in Virginia. You can request an absentee ballot here. Voters will not be required to have a witness sign their absentee ballot for the June 23 election only.
For those at home with some time to read, here are some resources for free e-books.
17 Sites for Free E-Books in 2020
15 Best Sites to Download Free E-books
11 Places for Thrifty Bookworms to Download Free E-books
Information for Tuesday’s livestreaming events are courtesy of the New York Times:
Stars Read ‘Coraline’
6 p.m. on YouTube
The New York Public Library has a weeklong treat in store for fans of Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline.” Starting Tuesday, the library will kick off a virtual reading of the book, a dark fantasy children’s novella about a young girl. Gaiman will read Chapters 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Chapters 3 and 4 on Wednesday. LeVar Burton picks it up on Thursday and Friday; Rosario Dawson on Saturday and Sunday; and Dakota Fanning on Monday.
When: 6 p.m. each night, Tuesday through Monday.
Where: The New York Public Library’s YouTube channel and website. Register here to receive a reminder with a viewing link before the first reading and to receive information on how to download “Coraline” using the library’s e-reading app, SimplyE.
National Dance Institute’s Annual Gala
7:30 p.m. on Facebook
Alec Baldwin, Josh Groban, Mandy Patinkin, Jacques d’Amboise, Charlotte d’Amboise and more will participate in the 44th annual National Dance Institute, a nonprofit that shares the art of dance with children. This year’s gala, titled “From the Heart,” will held virtually for the first time and will feature both new and archival performances, celebrity appearances and the institute’s young dancers. More than 60,000 children participate in its programs annually.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: The National Dance Institute’s Facebook, YouTube and Instagram pages, and its website.
A Virtual Performance of ‘Molly Sweeney’
7 p.m. on the Irish Repertory Theater’s website
Cast members of the Irish Repertory Theater’s 2011 production of “Molly Sweeney,” a Brian Friel play, are reuniting for a virtual performance directed by Charlotte Moore. Reprising their roles are Geraldine Hughes (“Rocky Balboa”) as Molly Sweeney and Ciarán O’Reilly (“Juno and the Paycock”) as Frank Sweeney. Joining them will be Paul O’Brien (“Six Degrees of Separation”) as Mr. Rice. The performance is free, but there’s a suggested donation of $25. In his New York Times review, Ken Jaworowski called the production “a deeply moving meditation on hope, change and despair.”
When: Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 3 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m.
Where: Register for a performance date here. Advance reservations are required. An event link will be emailed 2 hours before the selected performance begins on the Irish Repertory Theater’s website.
Michael Feinstein Celebrates George Gershwin
2 p.m. on Facebook
As part of Carnegie Hall’s new online series “Live With Carnegie Hall,” Michael Feinstein, an acclaimed interpreter of the Great American Songbook, and his special guests — Christine Ebersole and Alicia Hall Moran, with Joseph Joubert on piano — will explore the American composer George Gershwin’s enduring influence in popular and classical music.
When: 2 p.m.
Where: On the Carnegie Hall’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and its website.