Good morning, RVA! It's 31 °F, and today you can expect colder temperatures. Still no rain though, but looks like we should plan on highs in the mid 40s until about Tuesday. Cozy up and have a great weekend—much warmer temperatures in store for next week, though.
Water cooler
The Richmond Police Department reports that Grayson Babbs, a man in his 20s, was found shot to death on the 900 block of St. Paul Street this past Saturday.
As of this morning, the Virginia Department of Health reports 1,300 new positive cases of the coronavirus in the Commonwealth and 31 new deaths as a result of the virus. VDH reports 40 new cases in and around Richmond (Chesterfield: 30, Henrico: -14, and Richmond: 24). Since this pandemic began, 1,098 people have died in the Richmond region. Negative numbers in Henrico aside, I think we're through the winter death certificates data reporting issue. 31 total deaths across the state is a lot, but, compared to the seven-day average (99), it at least seems plausible. Here's this week stacked chart of new reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Ignoring that the deaths chart is utterly broken, I think we can finally see all three of these indicators trending in the right direction. The case counts show the same thing on the local level, too. I keep saying it, but, whew/big sigh of relief/light at the end of the tunnel.
By now, everyone should have filled out either a vaccine interest form with their local health district or the newish statewide vaccine pre-registration form (if not, tap the link and do so immediately—even if you're not yet eligible for vaccination). Those two databases have been mushed together, and you can now look yourself up on the statewide pre-registration site to verify that you're in there. Not only that, but you can now edit your information! Everyone should also probably go ahead and do that immediately, too, to make sure they've got the most accurate information.
Just another quick reminder to encourage all the seniors out there (or the seniors in your lives) to check their email if they've pre-registered for a COVID-19 vaccine but haven't yet gotten vaccinated. The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts and Henrico County are holding mass vaccination events over the next couple of days, and seniors can make appointments now. Also, if they sign up for the event on the 8th they'll get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine—one and done!
The Mayor will present his FY22 budget to City Council today at 3:00 PM. I think you'll be able to find a link to tune in on the City's legislative website. Budgets reflect your priorities in a real and concrete way, and it'll be interesting to check in on what the Mayor wants to get done in the middle of...all of this. Given his past priorities, I think we will see a focus on RPS and educational programs, something about affordable housing, a continued commitment to street paving, maybe a interesting new position or two, and a general goal to maintain until the pandemic ends (whatever that means). I'll also be looking for how the Mayor's recently released equity agenda pairs with his budget. Budget season!
Do you remember Abbie Arevalo? She sought asylum in First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond and had been living there for the last three years. Ali Rocket at the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that on February 25th, she was "granted a one-year stay of removal from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement." I appreciate this quote from First Unitarian's minister, "During the past 32 months, I was impressed with the way Abbie handled her ordeal with grace, dignity, courage and faith...We all could learn a lesson on how to deal with adversity from Abbie, as I most certainly did."
Folks interested in learning more / weighing in on RPS's proposed year-round school calendar have four opportunities to do so next week via some virtual town halls. Last we spoke, the RPS School Board wanted to make their calendar decision on Monday, March 15th, so get your thoughts and opinions in front of the decisions makers before then!
Wyatt Gordon, writing for Style Weekly, reminds me that the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience kicks off today and runs through March 14th. This is the fifth year that the organizers—Kelli Lemon, Amy Wentz, and Shemicia Bown—have put on this week of delicious food. That's incredible. Check out the list of special events and the list of participating restaurants. I know you're planning on ordering food this coming week, why not make it from one of these Black-owned restaurants?
This morning's longread
No I'm Not Ready
We're on a cusp! The smart and lovely writing has started to pivot away from AUGHHH THINGS ARE HORRIBLE REMEMBER THE BEFORE TIMES to WHAT HOW ARE WE EXPECTED TO BE PEOPLE IN THE AFTER TIMES?
You’re probably going to feel exhausted when you want to feel exhilarated, panicked when you thought you’d feel safe, combative when all you want is to feel soothed. Your social skills have atrophied and you’re probably going to get in some big fights that will seem like they’re about nothing but are actually about everything. You’re going to crave some of the parts of quarantine life you swore you never would. You’re probably going to over-plan and over-schedule and feel an alarming and unexpected need for solitude and have to pull back and re-evaluate.
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