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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
A trail near the Braddock Road Metro Station in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Noah Lyles Relieved Olympics Postponed — “It was a little relief to see that it’s been decided to postpone the Olympics because my first concern was that everybody would be healthy and everybody would have a fair place to compete.” [Running Magazine]

Former Medical Employees Plead Guilty to Running ‘Pill Mill’ — “Two women pleaded guilty yesterday [March 30] for their respective roles in helping run a “pill mill,” which led to the fraudulent dispensing of thousands of prescription opioid pills.” [DOJ]

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How the Alexandria Fire Department is Dealing With COVID-19

By James Cullum
Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley (center) with Alexandria Fire Department first responders (via AFD/Facebook)

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that the Alexandria Fire Department does business.

While there are currently no AFD personnel who have exhibited symptoms, the department is responding to an uptick in COVID-19-related emergency calls.

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News

Local Doctors Struggle with Helplessness and Supply Shortages

By Vernon Miles

There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing you could be helping and being unable to. It’s a plight doctors like Del Ray’s Matthew Haden are experiencing with the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s been extremely frustrating,” Haden said. “We feel sidelined. We’re trained to help for something like this, but we can’t. It’s extremely frustrating to know we can only help virtually, which often means not being able to help those in need.”

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Visit Alexandria Launches Video Series Today with Town Crier

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria Town Crier Benjamin Fiore-Walker and his assistants ringing in the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 17, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

As the coronavirus pandemic brings tourism to a standstill, Visit Alexandria has scheduled a series of virtual sessions with local businesses and attractions called ALX at Home LIVE.

The video series is scheduled to start today (Tuesday) at 2 p.m. with an interview with town crier Ben Fiore-Walker, featuring an original town cry.

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News

Carpenter’s Shelter Working Without Volunteers, Needs Gift Cards For Homeless

By James Cullum
Carpenter's Shelter was temporarily located at 5701 D Duke Street in the former Macy's department store at Landmark Mall. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Carpenter’s Shelter is working through the COVID-19 pandemic without its cadre of volunteers, and people are now staying at Alexandria’s largest homeless shelter for longer periods of time, according to the organization’s executive director.

“The days have been long and the challenge is great, but the best perspective on all of this is that our work and our mission has never felt more critical than it does right now,” Carpenter’s Shelter Executive Director Shannon Steene told ALXnow. “We are seeing more people in the shelter for longer periods of time, and all in the context of asking our volunteers not to be volunteering at the shelter for the health and safety of our residents.”

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News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum
Writer Ellen Weston works alone along the Potomac River at Oronoco Bay Park (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There are Now 36 Cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria — “On March 30, the Alexandria Health Department confirmed four additional cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, bringing the total to 36. AHD is identifying and contacting individuals who came in close contact with the confirmed cases.” [City of Alexandria]

DASH Further Reduces Service — “As part of a wider effort to protect the health and safety of the Alexandria community and DASH employees, DASH implemented an Enhanced Sunday Operating Plan on weekdays and Saturdays, beginning March 30. No changes are anticipated to Sunday service; however, King Street Trolley service will discontinue until further notice.” [DASH]

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Alexandria Leadership Ask Residents to Respect Gov. Northam’s Stay at Home Order

By Vernon Miles

Gov. Ralph Northam issued a stay at home order for all Virginians that will be in effect until June 10 unless otherwise rescinded or extended.

Northam made the announcement in a press conference today, and said that those congregating in groups of ten or more could be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor. The order requires that Virginians stay at home unless they are getting food, medical attention, going to work or getting a little fresh air.

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Alexandria Suspends Additional Parking Restrictions

By Vernon Miles
A parking meter in Old Town Alexandria on King Street

Alexandria is cutting down its parking enforcement even further as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The city said on its website that the changes in parking enforcement were aimed at helping the disrupted routines caused by working from home and other effects of social distancing.

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