Spot on. Clarendon and Courthouse bars are packed with unmasked patrons drinking, eating, laughing, spraying droplet nuclei everywhere. Every day a super spreader event. Why can’t these people stay home and drink alone like decent alcoholics.
They are acting very selfishly but we have to keep in mind their behavior has been tacitly endorsed by Northam and the County Board. If the bars were closed, and now they are open, it must be okay and safe to go to the bars, right? Otherwise why would they be open?
We have been taking some time off, but plan to publish some stories this Fall. I wouldn't say we "take submissions" but we are certainly willing to talk if you have an interesting story idea!
I’m writing to voice my concern with Arlington’s transition plan into Virginia’s Phase Three reopening. The Governor’s plan falls far short of the WHO’s recommendations, and capitulates to the demands of the Trump White House and and the Dept. of Commerce at the cost of Virginian and Arlingtonian lives.
My full time work is in live theater entertainment, So I am among those hit hardest by Phase One and Two protocols on public gatherings. I understand the economic risks from them because I suffer first hand.
I would find it unconscionable to open my theater to an audience with the infection rates in Arlington as they currently stand and are projected forward. The deaths of anyone who contracted COVID in my theater would be on my hands.
Those deaths and more will be on the hands of the county board if you continue to ignore science in favor of commerce.
You have an opportunity to set a standard here, to be among those who follow the success of stricter European, Asian and Pacific protocols that emphasize distancing by closing businesses, fund contact tracing, and support citizens financially during their loss in work and business.
Thank you for writing, Quill. One note: The Department of Commerce is a part of the government and we have no quibble with them. The CHAMBER of Commerce is the powerful pro-business lobbying organization. Don't feel bad though, it confuses everyone and the board will know what you are talking about.
Finally it worked. I wanted to say that board members and county managers have been evasive about their inability to respond to the severe shortage of testing and ineffectual contact tracing program. I pre-submitted the following question to the town hall and didn’t receive specific answers: “Could the county government managers openly acknowledge the severely limited supply of same-day COVID-19 tests and limited contact tracing efforts to date, and more important, explain what the county is doing to secure adequate testing and tracing programs for the near future and fall? Are the primary constraints testing materials and scaling up a skilled workforce of contact tracers? (Governor Northam recently announced that free testing was available across the state. That is certainly not the case here in Arlington where there are no CVS Minute Clinics with same day appointments without traveling outside the county to DC and Northern Virginia suburbs. And the Free Clinic walk-up site is only for low-income residents on weekdays and their supplies are limited. If you want more info please contact me. Thank you.).” Wearing face coverings and social distancing are essential but must not cover up what we are all facing: Without testing large numbers of people and using contact tracing to followup anyone exposed to the disease, we are not going to keep the disease at bay until we have herd immunity, or 70% of the population has antibodies.
Essentially board members told us to contact the governor and our federal reps, which I’ve done, if we had concerns about the inadequate local response.
Spot on. Clarendon and Courthouse bars are packed with unmasked patrons drinking, eating, laughing, spraying droplet nuclei everywhere. Every day a super spreader event. Why can’t these people stay home and drink alone like decent alcoholics.
They are acting very selfishly but we have to keep in mind their behavior has been tacitly endorsed by Northam and the County Board. If the bars were closed, and now they are open, it must be okay and safe to go to the bars, right? Otherwise why would they be open?
Are you still publishing? Arlington needs this kind of coverage. Are you looking for submissions?
We have been taking some time off, but plan to publish some stories this Fall. I wouldn't say we "take submissions" but we are certainly willing to talk if you have an interesting story idea!
The email I sent to the county board (countyboard@arlingtonva.us):
Hello,
I’m writing to voice my concern with Arlington’s transition plan into Virginia’s Phase Three reopening. The Governor’s plan falls far short of the WHO’s recommendations, and capitulates to the demands of the Trump White House and and the Dept. of Commerce at the cost of Virginian and Arlingtonian lives.
My full time work is in live theater entertainment, So I am among those hit hardest by Phase One and Two protocols on public gatherings. I understand the economic risks from them because I suffer first hand.
I would find it unconscionable to open my theater to an audience with the infection rates in Arlington as they currently stand and are projected forward. The deaths of anyone who contracted COVID in my theater would be on my hands.
Those deaths and more will be on the hands of the county board if you continue to ignore science in favor of commerce.
You have an opportunity to set a standard here, to be among those who follow the success of stricter European, Asian and Pacific protocols that emphasize distancing by closing businesses, fund contact tracing, and support citizens financially during their loss in work and business.
Thank you for writing, Quill. One note: The Department of Commerce is a part of the government and we have no quibble with them. The CHAMBER of Commerce is the powerful pro-business lobbying organization. Don't feel bad though, it confuses everyone and the board will know what you are talking about.
Good on you for writing to the board. Send copies to the governor and to your senators and congressman.
You need to make it easier for people to comment. I tried 3 times and lost half an hour trying to post a comment.
Finally it worked. I wanted to say that board members and county managers have been evasive about their inability to respond to the severe shortage of testing and ineffectual contact tracing program. I pre-submitted the following question to the town hall and didn’t receive specific answers: “Could the county government managers openly acknowledge the severely limited supply of same-day COVID-19 tests and limited contact tracing efforts to date, and more important, explain what the county is doing to secure adequate testing and tracing programs for the near future and fall? Are the primary constraints testing materials and scaling up a skilled workforce of contact tracers? (Governor Northam recently announced that free testing was available across the state. That is certainly not the case here in Arlington where there are no CVS Minute Clinics with same day appointments without traveling outside the county to DC and Northern Virginia suburbs. And the Free Clinic walk-up site is only for low-income residents on weekdays and their supplies are limited. If you want more info please contact me. Thank you.).” Wearing face coverings and social distancing are essential but must not cover up what we are all facing: Without testing large numbers of people and using contact tracing to followup anyone exposed to the disease, we are not going to keep the disease at bay until we have herd immunity, or 70% of the population has antibodies.
Charlie, we'd love more info. Can you give us your email?
How do I contact you by email without posting my email here? I believe I signed up to receive your issues so you should already have it.
Essentially board members told us to contact the governor and our federal reps, which I’ve done, if we had concerns about the inadequate local response.