Virginia Groups Protests Coronavirus Lockdown Restrictions

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood. We’ve got a roundup of all today’s Virginia news coming up.

But First…

A Harrisonburg firefighter shares his experience of being a first responder in the middle of a pandemic, including his fears of potentially bringing the coronavirus home to his family. — Dogwood 

Five Stories You Need to Know Today…

1. Coronavirus Cases Rise to Nearly 7,000 in Virginia– The Virginia Department of Health has reported 389 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, bringing the total to 6,889. The VDH also reports 208 overall deaths due to the virus and 1,337 hospitalizations. So far, 46,444 people have been tested. Virginia Health Commissioner Norm Oliver emphasized that there is a lag in reporting and daily numbers don’t accurately reflect the number of deaths in a 24-hour span. — WAVY
   
   
2. Groups Protests Against Coronavirus Restrictions in Richmond –Several different groups came together to protest against the state shut-down established by Gov. Ralph Northam with an aim to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. A few dozen protesters from Reopen Virginia, End the Lockdown and Virginians Against Excessive Quarantine gathered together outside the Executive Mansion. Most were not wearing masks. — The Roanoke Times
   
   
3. Virginia Superintendent Named Co-Chair of Task Force to Reopen Schools – Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane was named co-chair of the Southern Regional Education Board, a group formed to identify strategies for reopening schools due to the coronavirus. The SREB Education Recovery Task Force is scheduled to have their first meeting next week. The group is also supposed to prepare for a possible resurgence of the virus. — WSLS
   
   
4. Northam Proposes 60 Day Eviction Grace Period for Those Left Out of Federal Bailout– Gov. Ralph Northam sent a proposal to provide a 60-day grace period for Virginia residents who could potentially fall behind on their rent. The extension would cover those who aren’t receiving aid through the federal CARES Act and would be enacted once the court system resumes. Virginia Poverty Law Center director Christie Marra warns that without legislation many Virginians could easily be evicted. — Virginia Mercury
   
   
5. Virginia Woman with Lupus Worried Over Shortage of Hydroxychloroquine due to Coronavirus — Hydroxychloroquine, a drug touted as a miracle treatment for the coronavirus, is currently in short supply, causing those with prescriptions to worry. Richmond resident Angel Williams has taken the drug for her lupus for over 20 years and is worried for her life. There are currently no drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat the coronavirus. — WAVY