Friends,

COVID-19 is on the rise in states across the country, and we must all take steps to mitigate the spread. Here are updates on some recent events and additional information about the Governor's new COVID-19 guidelines. Additionally, tonight we are holding a town hall on the immigration experience, and you are all invited! We’ve also begun work on the upcoming 2021 General Assembly.

Town hall
Tonight, I hope that you can join me for the Welcome to our Table Town Hall via Zoom. Our event features women leaders who each have a unique immigrant story to share and who work in advocacy, nonprofit, or government spaces around this country.

We’ll celebrate the immigrant experience in America and talk about what it means to “build our own table” in spaces that may have never invited us. We’ll even be sharing some family recipes unique to our own individual Thanksgiving experiences and traditions.

Don’t miss out! Your invitation is below, and I hope you will join us tonight from 7PM to 8:30PM.

Recent events
On Saturday, I toured the brand new Fredericksburg Nationals Ballpark made possible by the Silber family. As owners of the FredNats, the Silbers wanted to create an environmentally friendly stadium. Fredericksburg Nationals Ballpark will be one of the first minor league baseball parks to have 100% LED lighting, including the field lights.

The stadium was designed with the latest, environmentally-friendly materials like a new, eco-friendly synthetic turf system and solar panel light. The turf system will save thousands of gallons of water and doesn’t require the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or irrigation. Similarly, the use of solar panel light in the parking lot is a first step in plans to install solar panels on the roof of the stadium to make the ballpark 100% reliant on solar.

Silber said that his family will pursue LEED certification for their stadium after it’s been opened for 12 months. That’s expected to reduce electric usage by 30 to 50 percent compared with prior generation ballparks.

I thank the Virginia League of Conservation Voters for planning this tour on Saturday and for sharing the legislative priorities for the upcoming session to create a greener Virginia. This new stadium is a win for our Commonwealth and the environment.

This weekend, I also volunteered at a flu clinic and food pantry. The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) continues to host its large, bi-weekly food pantry to feed families in Central Virginia. This week, ICNA Relief and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) joined forces to host a flu clinic and food bank. Over 100 people received free flu shots, and over 300 families picked up bags of groceries and other supplies. It’s always great to see how our community continues to work together to meet the challenges of the current pandemic.

COVID-19 updates
In the wake of recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, Governor Northam has announced the following new guidelines for the Commonwealth:

• Reduction in public and private social gatherings: All public and private social gatherings must be limited to 25 individuals, down from the current cap of 250 people. This includes both 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 10:00PM in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room — these businesses must close by midnight. Virginia law does not distinguish between restaurants and bars. However, under current restrictions, individuals that choose to consume alcohol before 10:00PM must be served in a restaurant and remain seated at tables six feet apart.

The 2021 General Assembly
Although we just wrapped up Special Session on Monday, November 9, we haven’t really had time for a break. The planning for the 2021 General Assembly has been ongoing, and my focus remains on issues important to Virginians: education, protecting our natural resources, responding to the COVID crisis by supporting families, and access to healthcare services. We will also be considering budget priorities and the best ways to respond to the economic and health stresses created by the pandemic.

The 2021 Session will be different from last year’s General Assembly. The Senate will be meeting in the Science Museum of Virginia so that we can continue to safely distance. Our Senate Committees will meet face to face, but public testimony will be received virtually. I know that we will all greatly miss the opportunities of speaking with constituents, the energy of advocacy organizations, and the frenetic pace and conversations of the normal Assembly. Regardless of these challenging times, however, the legislative work will continue as we work to address concerns.

Closing thoughts
The nationwide rise in COVID-19 cases is very concerning, and we must all do our part to reduce the spread of this virus. Remember, we wear masks and follow safety guidelines not just for ourselves and our own families but for the wellbeing of our friends, neighbors, and the broader community. I hope everyone remains safe and healthy as we head into the holiday season.

As always, if you need assistance, or if you want to schedule a Zoom or phone call with our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected].

-- Ghazala Hashmi

 

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