With only five reported cases in the city so far, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on Alexandria residents, businesses and the city government.
There has been one reported instance of price gouging, with packages of 10 rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper being sold for more than $60 at the Food Star at 206 W. Glebe Road.
ACPS Releases Samples of Daily Schedules For Students — Alexandria City Public Schools, in their daily 1 p.m. update to parents, released sample daily schedules for students. The schedule includes time to wake up, taking a morning walk and three-and-a-half hours of academic time. [ACPS]
Alexandria Libraries Close Thru March 31 — “This was a difficult decision to make as we know how much people rely on their libraries to support their educational, entertainment, and recreational needs. However, libraries are a hub of community activity with some branches drawing hundreds of visitors per day.” [Alexandria Library]
Alexandria City Public Schools handed out 5,000 free meals on Monday — the first day of the system-wide shut down that is forcing nearly 16,000 students to stay home for a month.
Approximately 20 ACPS kitchen staff prepare the meals, which include breakfasts and lunches, in the T.C. cafeteria. Meals include milk, bagels, breakfast bars, fruit and vegetables, sandwiches and nonperishable items. Families are encouraged to take home up to a week’s worth of provisions to reduce trips, regardless of their eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.
The Alexandria City Council on Saturday unanimously approved the construction of an elevated gymnasium at Ferdinand T. Day School in the West End.
“The gymnasium at Ferdinand T. Day looks cool,” Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre said. “I’m excited to see that move forward.”
The Alexandria City Public Schools will not be tracking student attendance for online learning during its month-long COVID-19 shutdown.
Alexandria City Public Schools announced on Friday that all schools would close until April 14 — after spring break. Every elementary school student was given instructional packets to take home, and students in grades 3-12 went home with Chromebook laptops.
Port City Brewing Co. Closes Tasting Room — “Effective Sunday, March 15, 2020, we will be closing our Tasting Room until further notice. We are doing this to help the community try to get a handle on the spread of Coronavirus.”[Facebook]
ACPS Provides Food Access Update — “Starting Monday, Alexandria City Public Schools will be providing emergency meals at no cost for any child under 18 and any family who needs it.” [ACPS]
Alexandria declared a state of emergency on Saturday, and the City Council also approved measures to assist the community as it weathers the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Justin Wilson said that the actions taken by City Council on Saturday are only the beginning.
Update at 12:15 p.m. — ACPS reversed its decision and announced that schools are closing starting Monday.
Earlier: Alexandria City Public Schools will remain open as school and health officials continue to monitor the coronavirus outbreak, as neighboring school systems are closing their doors.
Some students and staff at five Alexandria City Public Schools have been advised to stay home and self-monitor for signs of COVID-19, and the school system is working out the logistics of shutting down completely.
Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. discussed the school system’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in a web conference on Wednesday.
Senior Communities Taking Extra Precautions — “In Alexandria specifically, we are screening visitors as they come in the door. We’re checking temperatures, [and] doing questionnaire work.” [WAMU]
NOVA Shifts to Remote Learning — “With growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, Northern Virginia Community College, NOVA, is shifting to remote learning for all students beginning March 18. All classes will be cancelled March 16-17 to allow for the transition, according to a statement from the school.” [InsideNova]
After months of confusion, the city and Alexandria City Public Schools plan on creating a committee to evaluate the co-location of affordable or workforce housing on the grounds of public schools slated for renovation.
“I feel like as a board that we’re being kind of we’ve been already left behind in this process. And and so I think that that we need to try to remedy that in some way,” School Board Chair Cindy Anderson said at a joint budget work session on Wednesday night.
