VaNews
May 12, 2020

Today's Sponsor:


** Virginia Health Care Association – Virginia Center for Assisted Living
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Celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week, we salute our long term care heroes on the frontlines protecting residents and helping them recover from COVID-19. #LTCHeroes

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Top of the News


** Northam likely to keep N. Va. closed ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL E. MILLER, GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER AND FENIT NIRAPPIL, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Gov. Ralph Northam confirmed Monday that he expects to hold Northern Virginia out of the gradual, “phase one” reopening of the rest of the state later this week, describing a state starkly cleaved in two by the novel coronavirus. Of nearly 1,000 new coronavirus infections reported in the state Monday, almost three-quarters of them were clustered in the D.C. suburbs, which account for about 40 percent of the state’s population.
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** Virginia to send $650 million in U.S. aid to local governments, makes testing priority for state's share ([link removed])
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By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Virginia plans to send $650 million in federal financial aid to local governments to pay the costs of responding to the coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the economy and collection of tax revenues essential to delivering public services.
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** Coronavirus Flourishes Among Latinos In Wealthy Areas of Northern Virginia ([link removed])
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By DANIELLA CHESLOW, WAMU

Rain fell on a gray Friday as Ana Mejia picked up donated groceries and medication to take back home to Culmore, in Fairfax County. Mejia, 63, said she took precautions because she is diabetic, a risk factor for the coronavirus. She wore a green mask. She said she rarely leaves her home. “They’ve told us to protect ourselves and not go outside, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Mejia said.
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** No lines, no fevers with Newport News shipyard temperature checks ([link removed])
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By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Newport News Shipbuilding employees have been getting high marks from their bosses for not coming to work when sick as the coronavirus spreads — and last week’s temperature checks prove the point. Of some 76,000 plus temperatures checked as employees reported for work, only one person — a contractor — initially showed a temperature of more than 100 degrees on a no-touch infrared scanner.
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** Poultry company’s doctor told local doctors how to advise patients ([link removed])
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By DEVLIN BARRETT, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Perdue Farms told doctors treating poultry factory workers on Virginia's Eastern Shore that they should advise their patients who have been in close contact with someone with the novel coronavirus to spend only about a week away from work, instead of the two weeks that most doctors have been recommending. Health officials said the company’s advice to doctors highlights the tension between public health considerations designed to stop the spread of the deadly disease and the urgency felt by meatpacking companies to keep the production lines moving to maintain the nation’s food supply.
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** VPAP Visual The Delayed Curve ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

The Epidemiological curve, or "epi-curve," wasn't designed to satisfy the public's desire for instant understanding about the spread of COVID-19. Infections confirmed today were contracted days or even weeks earlier. (It takes time for symptoms to present, medical help to be obtained, tests to be taken and results confirmed.) In this visual, VPAP shows how information Virginia gathered during the week ending April 5 revealed the spread of COVID-19 in early March.
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** Curbside voting available for May 19 elections in Fredericksburg ([link removed])
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By CATHY JETT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Voting in this year’s May 19 elections will be vastly different because of COVID-19. Instead of standing in line to mark their ballot and send it through a tabulator, people are being urged to vote absentee. The only polling place open Election Day in Fredericksburg to vote for mayor and two at-large seats will be the parking lot of the Dorothy Hart Center, 408 Canal St.
The Full Report
35 articles, 20 publications

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** FROM VPAP
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** From VPAP Money Raised in May 19 Municipal Elections ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

Pre-election campaign finance disclosures were due at midnight for 734 candidates running for mayor and council seats in 115 towns and cities. VPAP posted reports for those municipal candidates who e-file their disclosures with the Virginia Department of Elections. VPAP has a complete list of candidates in these cities: Chesapeake, Fairfax, Hampton, Lynchburg, Newport News and Norfolk.
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** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

Data from the Virginia Department of Health shows a timeline of when COVID-19 cases were confirmed and a statewide map showing the number of cases and deaths by locality. VPAP has added daily hospital utilization data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Updated each morning shortly after 9:00 a.m.


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Northam says most of Virginia still set to reopen Friday ([link removed])
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By ALAN SUDERMAN, Associated Press

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says the state is still on track to begin its gradual reopening this week amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the exception of the population-dense Washington suburbs.
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** Virginia will separate antibody results from total testing: Northern Virginia reopening likely delayed ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Virginia health officials are working to separate as-yet unreliable antibody test results from the state’s broader COVID-19 test count, the administration of Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday. Also Monday, Northam said that while public restrictions will tentatively begin easing in most of Virginia on Friday, Northern Virginia might be excluded.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
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** 10th District Republicans opt to delay convention ([link removed])
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Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

The 10th District Republican Committee has thrown in the towel on its planned late-May convention, postponing it to a date to be determined. Committee chairman Matt Leeds on May 7 announced that the 10th District Committee will meet on May 13 to consider options. Leeds took the opportunity to blast Gov. Northam and Democrats for “police-state tactics” during the COVID-19 pandemic.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** Virginia changes how it counts COVID-19 testing, adding antibody tests to the daily tally ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Virginia now lumps tests that diagnose COVID-19 together with tests that measure whether someone previously had the disease, and the state counts all tests toward the governor’s quest to reach 10,000 a day. But not all tests are equal, or reliable, and Virginia acknowledges this and does not count a positive antibody test as a confirmed case.
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** In state lab, scientists worked through the night to run coronavirus tests ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Scientists, foggy and bleary-eyed, were called into the lab in the middle of the night. They slid on their lab coats, goggles and gloves and carefully handled specimens — samples swabbed from deep within sick Virginians’ noses and couriered from far reaches of the state to the Richmond lab.
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** Va. parole board puts 30-day hold on release of Vincent Martin, convicted in Richmond officer's slaying ([link removed])
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By MARK BOWES, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The scheduled parole of Vincent Martin, convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1980 for killing Richmond police officer Michael Connors, has been put on “temporary hold” until the Office of the State Inspector General can investigate how the Virginia Parole Board reached its decision, the board’s new chair said Monday.
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** Virginia’s first responders have been given personal information on COVID-19 patients for weeks ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

For six weeks, the Virginia Department of Health has been allowing local health districts to release the names and addresses of individuals with COVID-19 to 911 dispatch centers. The policy — first ordered by Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver, according to internal emails from VDH — was introduced at a time when shortages of personal protective equipment were creating anxiety among first responders.
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** Fifth Virginia prison inmate dies from COVID-19 ([link removed])
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By FRANK GREEN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

A fifth prison inmate has died from COVID-19 and 719 have tested positive for the virus, according to the Virginia Department of Corrections. No details on the most recent death were available Monday. However, the department indicated the inmate had been held at the Dillwyn Correctional Center, which has had 205 inmates test positive, the most of any of the department’s roughly 40 facilities.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Northam administration says federal fisheries relief ‘falls woefully short’ ([link removed])
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By SARAH VOGELSONG, Virginia Mercury

Virginia’s waters are unusually still this spring. Ordinarily, May 1 is the start of the charter boat season, a day that sees convoys of boats head out from the ports of coastal Virginia for deeper waters where fish are sought by daytrippers. By then, crabbing and oystering, which usually begin in March, are in full swing. So are the commercial fisheries, many of which operate year-round. Not so this year.
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** After losing millions, Richmond museums hope to reopen mid-June ([link removed])
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By COLLEEN CURRAN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Local and state museums in Richmond — including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Science Museum of Virginia and the Valentine — shut their doors in mid-March at the start of the coronavirus outbreak. Now, two months later, after some local museums have lost millions in revenue and suffered staff reductions, they are waiting to reopen to the public.
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** Fredericksburg Farmers Market to open with new guidelines ([link removed])
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By CATHY JETT, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

The Fredericksburg Farmers Market is recommending that shoppers wear masks and gloves and practice social distancing when it reopens at 7 a.m. Saturday. The Spotsylvania Farmers Market instituted similar measures when it opened last month, and the King George Farmers Market will do the same when it opens May 23.


** TRANSPORTATION
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** State Police Urge Drivers to Slow Down After Crash, 115 Mph Ticket on I-395 ([link removed])
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ArlNow

Amid a nationwide epidemic of speeding on highways emptied of traffic by the coronavirus pandemic, Virginia State Police are urging drivers to slow down. Two incidents on I-395 in Arlington last week illustrate the need for less speed.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** Washington, the Nation’s Capital, Moves to Reopen. Washington, the City, Is Not Ready. ([link removed])
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By JENNIFER STEINHAUER, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

As the Trump administration pushes for the federal government to lead the nation in reopening the doors to daily business, the leaders of the capital region that would live with the consequences are fragmented on how to move forward. This city, home to 700,000 people, anchors one of the most interconnected metropolitan regions in the nation, with a total population nearly 10 times larger than the District of Columbia. Washington and the close-in counties within Virginia and Maryland have a shared Metro system and populations that move daily across their borders, a large number of them workers for the government.
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** Virginia COVID-19 cases increase by 989, deaths up by 23 ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

The Virginia Department of Health reported Monday that the state has 25,070 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 989 over the 24,081 reported Sunday . The 25,070 cases include 23,889 confirmed cases and 1,181 probable cases. Also, there are 850 COVID-19 deaths in Virginia — 823 confirmed and 27 probable.
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** Several test positive for COVID-19 at Chase City nursing home ([link removed])
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South Boston News & Record

The Southside Health District reported a fourth coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, and the third involving a long-term care facility in the district’s coverage area of Mecklenburg, Halifax and Brunswick. The health department does not specify where outbreaks occur in its daily tracking of the spread of COVID-19, but Robin Parrott, administrator at Chase City Health and Rehab, confirmed that several people associated with that facility have tested positive for the virus.
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** Ten test positive for COVID-19 at Heritage Hall in King George ([link removed])
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By CATHY DYSON, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Of 183 people screened Friday at Heritage Hall nursing home in King George County, one resident and four employees tested positive for COVID-19. “All in all, we see this latest information as relatively good news,” said Jennifer Eddy, spokesperson for the King George facility. “While we never want anyone to be affected by this terrible illness, early identification allows for earlier intervention and many times better outcomes.”
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** UVa survey: Area residents reluctant to end COVID-19 countermeasures ([link removed])
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By BRYAN MCKENZIE, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Two months into self-quarantines, social distancing and the shutdown of non-essential businesses, two-thirds of Central Virginians surveyed say they not only support stay-at-home orders but are hesitant to open up the state too soon. But those whose jobs do not allow them to work remotely are more likely to favor opening the state for business on a quicker timeline, according to the survey.
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** Waynesboro church holds in-person services days before Virginia's Phase 1 ([link removed])
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By CAYLEY URENKO, WHSV

On May 15, Phase 1 of the 'Forward Virginia' plan for business restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic will allow churches to hold services inside their sanctuaries, with a limit of 50% of the building capacity. However, despite Governor Ralph Northam's orders for in-person services (other than drive-in services) to remain suspended until then, one local church reopened on May 10.
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** “Reopen Fauquier” attracts business people, families ([link removed])
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By DON DEL ROSSO, Fauquier Now

About 130 people gathered in downtown Warrenton on Saturday afternoon for a “Reopen Fauquier” rally. Organized by Warrenton resident Chris Concannon, the rally took place from about 2 to 3:45 p.m. in front of the 10 Hotel St. entrance of county government’s Warren Green Building.
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** Virginia Finalizing Private Lab Contracts to Expand COVID-19 Testing ([link removed])
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By MEGAN PAULY, WCVE

Virginia is in the process of finalizing contracts with private labs to expand COVID-19 testing in Virginia. Gov. Ralph Northam has said that widespread testing of at least 10,000 people per day is key to reopening the government. State officials claim Virginia is doing enough testing to partially reopen this Friday, although new studies suggest otherwise. Supply shortages have also hindered expanded testing.
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** Drive-thru COVID-19 testing to ramp up May 18 ([link removed])
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Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

The Mount Rogers Health District will offer ongoing, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at local health departments starting May 18. Testing will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only. All testing will require an advance screening interview, according to a written statement.
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** How COVID-19 tests are used ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Dr. Paul Skolnik, chair of medicine for Carilion Clinic, offered to explain the types of testing to detect COVID-19 infections and give a crash course in his specialty of infectious disease. There are two types of tests. One detects the live virus in someone who is infected. It’s called RT-PCR, for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. (Don’t worry, there’s not a quiz.)


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** A guided-missile cruiser spilled diesel fuel into the York River. The Navy is investigating ([link removed])
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Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily (Metered paywall - 3 articles per month)

U.S. Navy officials said they are investigating what caused the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) to spill nearly 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the York River. Ted Brown, from the Public Affairs Office/ Installations and Environmental Public Affairs Officer for U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the spill happened at around 7 a.m. last Thursday (May 7) while the ship was pierside at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown.


** LOCAL
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** County Board Considers Mask Mandate but Hamstrung by Dillon Rule ([link removed])
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By VERNON MILES, ArlNow

In an online town hall meeting on Friday, County Board members decried the plan to partially reopen Virginia as premature for Arlington and discussed further restrictions, like a requirement to wear a mask when in public. . . . County Board Chair Libby Garvey said to even consider reopening there needs to be more testing and contact tracing, with an ample supply of hospital beds and a sustainable supply of personal safety equipment. Dr. Reuben Varghese, the Arlington County Director of Public Health, warned that’s not the case in Arlington, at least when it comes to testing.
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** First Arlington candidate snagged by instant-runoff intricacies ([link removed])
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By SCOTT MCCAFFREY, Inside NOVA (Metered Paywall)

Even before a new era in Arlington elections has dawned, it already has snagged its inaugural victim. Barbara Kanninen has become the first Arlington political candidate to fall to a come-from-behind challenger in instant-runoff voting, a way of casting ballots that soon could become standard in County Board elections.
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** Loudoun County disperses $1.4M to 201 small businesses ([link removed])
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By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine

The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development announced Friday it had dispersed approximately $1.4 million from the COVID-19 Business Interruption Fund to 201 small local businesses. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the Loudoun County Economic Development Authority (EDA) established the fund.
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** Hampton to immediately ramp up patrols and enforcement in wake of homicides and uptick in crime ([link removed])
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By LISA VERNON SPARKS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

A spate of crime Hampton — including two homicides in the last week ― has officials rethinking enforcement strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning immediately, Hampton police will go back to enforcing minor infractions and misdemeanors, some of which had been scaled back over the past two months, Chief Terry Sult said Monday during a news conference.
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** Frederick County suing Big Pharma for $107 million over opioid epidemic ([link removed])
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By EVAN GOODENOW, Winchester Star (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Some major drug manufacturers and distributors are being sued for $90 million in compensatory damages and $16.8 million in punitive damages by Frederick County, which accuses them of fueling and profiting from the opiate epidemic. The lawsuit names 48 defendants, including drug maker Teva Pharmaceuticals, pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, and retailers like Walmart.

Today's Sponsor:


** Virginia Health Care Association – Virginia Center for Assisted Living
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Celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week, we salute our long term care heroes on the frontlines protecting residents and helping them recover from COVID-19. #LTCHeroes


** EDITORIALS
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** State needs to step up virus testing ([link removed])
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Daily Progress Editorial (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

When is it safe to reopen Virginia? That’s the No. 1 question facing Gov. Ralph Northam and other governors who put their states in lockdown mode in an attempt to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The answer depends on the COVID-19 death rate and how successful social distancing policies have been in slowing transmission of the virus. And to determine that, we need more testing.
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** Some possible political consequences of the virus ([link removed])
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Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

When a student with a gun massacred 32 Virginia Tech students and professors in 2007, then-Gov. Tim Kaine appointed a special commission to investigate every aspect of the slaughter and recommend changes in laws and policies — many of which were adopted. When a city worker with a gun killed 12 people at the Virginia Beach municipal building last year, Gov. Ralph Northam called a special session of the General Assembly to take up proposed changes in state gun laws.
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** Heed absentee deadline for local elections ([link removed])
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Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Voters will head to the polls in a week to cast their ballots in races for local officials serving several Hampton Roads cities, including Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake and Williamsburg. To avoid doing so in person, eligible voters in those communities should apply for an absentee ballot online, using reason "2A My disability or illness" to qualify as instructed by the Virginia Department of Elections. Today is the deadline for applications, so don’t dawdle.
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** Why a normal trip to the beach won’t be possible this summer ([link removed])
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Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

At the Virginia Beach Boardwalk on Sunday morning, there were hints of warmer — and hopefully better — days ahead. Dozens of families rode their bicycles up and down the shore. A couple tossed a Frisbee back and forth on the sand. One of three Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard stands was open for business, despite a brisk breeze that kept temperatures below 60 degrees before noon.


** OP-ED
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** Wilson: Canaries in the mine ([link removed])
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By BILL WILSON, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

All over the world people are amazed at how much cleaner the air and water are since the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the polluting machinery that has been fouling the planet for so many years. Citizens of Los Angeles are able to see their city for the first time in years. How great it is, to have cleaner air and water for a change!

Wilson is a Covington lawyer and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He is a longtime environmentalist.
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