Category Archives: News

How Privacy-Friendly Contact Tracing Can Help Stop the Spread of Covid-19

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h/t Kottke.org

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/04/apple-and-google-partner-on-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology/

Billboard Appeals Case Update – Request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards.

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The following is an update regarding the Board of Zoning Appeals Case 2019‐BZA-0119 – Adam Outdoor Advertising’s request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards.

BZA hearings have been postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic, so the planned April 1st hearing of this appeal did not happen.  Once normal hearing resume, this case will be rescheduled.  In the meantime, here is some information regarding this topic.  SDCC has already sent an email to the BZA expressing our opposition to the request to make the billboards digital.  I have also attached a copy of the City’s Zoning Administrator letter that originally denied Adam’s request prior to this appeal case.  The letter can be read by clicking here Billboard Letter

Bottom line, it looks like this appeal should be denied similar to the original request to make the billboards digital, however the SDCC will continue to follow this topic to make sure.

 

Dear Chairman Whitley and Board Members,

On behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), I would like to express our opposition to Case 2019‐BZA-0119 Adam Outdoor Advertising’s request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards. The existing billboards have been an eyesore to our area for many years and do not support the City Comprehensive Plan and Shore Drive Corridor Design Guidelines which recommend for the beautification of our residential area. Digital billboards would be extremely intrusive to the adjacent residential property owners and would exacerbate the incompatible aesthetics the structures already create.

Based on the detrimental impacts that the proposed upgrades would cause, we ask that you deny the applicants request for appeal.

Thank you for your attention to this matter,

Todd Solomon, SDCC President

I have included a couple of reference items below in case you need additional information on this topic:

1) There are 32 billboards in Virginia Beach. Adams Outdoor Advertising wants to add 13 and upgrade four of its existing billboards, city officials said. Among those the company hopes to change is a large one with two sides on Shore Drive next to the Lesner Bridge. https://www.pilotonline.com/business/consumer/vp-nw-billboards-0304-20200323-oqzr75yodzdyrnw2inpbbgpi3y-story.html

2) Board of Zoning Appeals Agenda of April 1, 2020 – Appeal Agenda: Case 2019‐BZA-0119: Adam Outdoor Advertising Request an appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s determination letter dated November 7, 2019 for properties located at 3615 Virginia Beach Blvd; 624 Independence Blvd; 1314 Kempsville Rd; 660 N Witchduck Rd; 1009 Laskin Rd; 1195 Bells Rd; 1637 Independence Blvd; 5280 Princess Anne Rd; 3700 Shore Dr; 1309 Virginia Beach Blvd; 1347 Lynnhaven Pkwy; 6061 Indian River Rd; 3273 Shore Dr; 3894 Virginia Beach Blvd; 4390 Virginia Beach Blvd; 4719 Indian River Rd; 3948 Holland Rd

 

 

Birdsong Tablet Makes Social Media Software Designed for Older Adults Available Free During Pandemic

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Local software developing company Birdsong Tablet, a division of faith-based, non-profit Westminster-Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay, is waving the monthly service fee of $19 for their Social Media Software designed for older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The software is also being made available to the general public during this time.  More details about this software can be found at Westminster-Canterbury website – https://www.wcbay.com/news

Virginia Uses Genetic Technology to Combat COVID-19

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Governor News Release:

“This genetic fingerprint gives us tremendous insight into this novel virus, helping us understand where Virginia cases originated and how they are being transmitted in our communities,” said DCLS Director Dr. Denise Toney. “Providing this information in real-time is unbelievably valuable for public health officials as they determine how to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in our communities.”

Birthday visits by Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad!

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Learn more at OPVRS.com

If your child has a birthday between now and June 10th and their birthday plans have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, please message us and let us know! If you live in our Shore Drive response area, spanning from First Court Rd to Cox High School in Virginia Beach, we would love to do an ambulance drive by to wish them a happy birthday.

Trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item services will operate on a one-day delay this week

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News at VBGOV.com

For example, Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday. Thursday routes on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday, April 11.

“We are still in the early stages of this outbreak, but we must ensure that Virginia is ready when the surge of acute cases hits our healthcare system,”

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Story at Virginia Mercury:

The facilities — the Dulles Expo Center in Northern Virginia and the Richmond and Hampton Roads convention centers — will be able to provide beds for 1,107 acute patients or 1,848 non-acute patients, Northam said Friday.

“Sentara Healthcare is now processing COVID-19 tests at a newly-created laboratory in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.”

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View update at Sentara.com:

The project involved the purchase and delivery of an Abbott m2000 RealTime testing instrument, related equipment and supplies, creation of a dedicated COVID-19 testing lab in a former laboratory conference room and train staff to use it in less than two weeks. 

“Sentara is fortunate to have the resources to respond to this crisis and begin our own testing within a few weeks,” says Tabetha Sundin, Ph.D., scientific director of the Sentara Molecular Laboratory. “Waiting for test results can be nerve-wracking for our patients. We are doing all we can to speed up results and provide answers.”

Message from EMS Operations Chief Lewis: 4/2/2020

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How to SUPPORT your Rescue Squad today.

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad
VB Emergency Medical Services

P R A C T I C E S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G

City Council Special Session – 03/31/2020 video

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We applaud City Staff for getting these videos online this fast!

“Scientific models of how the coronavirus pandemic will unfold in Virginia vary wildly, but there is one thing they all agree on: The more people take social distancing seriously, the smaller the number of those who will get sick and die.”

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Pilotonline.com:

“We don’t want to have the numbers we have in Virginia, but we do,” said Daniel Carey, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resource at a Monday press conference. “And we can help use that real data to land on a model that we feel comfortable predicting and planning on.”

State officials are using a model created by University of Virginia researchers with the Defense Reduction Agency to plan for the state’s healthcare needs. They want to release it soon, when they feel they have enough data, said Dr. Norman Oliver, Virginia’s Health Commissioner.

Governor Northam Issues Statewide Stay at Home Order

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Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · March 30, 2020
Office of the Governor
Governor Northam Issues Statewide
Stay at Home Order
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today issued a statewide Stay at Home order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order.
The order directs all Virginians to stay home except in extremely limited circumstances. Individuals may leave their residence for allowable travel, including to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members, obtain goods and services like groceries, prescriptions, and others as outlined in Executive Order Fifty-Three, and engage in outdoor activity with strict social distancing requirements.
The executive order also directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to stop in-person classes and instruction. Private campgrounds must close for short-term stays, and beaches will be closed statewide except for fishing and exercise.
“We are in a public health crisis, and we need everyone to take this seriously and act responsibly,” said Governor Northam. “Our message to Virginians is clear: stay home. We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact, and that’s why it’s so important that people follow this order and practice social distancing. I’m deeply grateful to everyone for their cooperation during this unprecedented and difficult time.”
The full text of Executive Order Fifty-Five can be found here.
Last week, Governor Northam issued Executive Order Fifty-Three closing certain non-essential businesses, prohibiting public gatherings of more than 10 people, and directing all K-12 schools to remain closed for the rest of the academic year. A Frequently Asked Questions guide about Executive Order Fifty-Three can be found here.
For the latest information about the COVID-19 outbreak, visit virginia.gov/coronavirusor CDC.gov/coronavirus.

City Council Sets Special Electronic Meeting to Consider Continuity and Policy, and Discuss Tax Relief Related to COVID-19 Pandemic

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The City Council will hold a “Special Meeting by Electronic Communications Means” on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 6 p.m. to consider four items to address the COVID-19 pandemic emergency; and to discuss tax relief necessitated by the pandemic.

People wanting to comment should follow a two-step registration process:

  1. Register at https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e871f2421f8196abfb20bee4e6e94208f

  2. Register with the City Clerk’s Office by calling (757) 385-4303or via email at ABarnes@vbgov.com prior to 5:30 p.m. on March 31, 2020.

GOVERNOR NORTHAM LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE 2pm TODAY

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Everyone Must Do Their Part: Mayor Urges Compliance to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

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Businesses in violation of Governor Northam’s Executive Order may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, which in punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

However, if you must go out, it doesn’t matter whether you are walking along the boardwalk, standing in line for food at a restaurant or shopping inside a home improvement store. Do not congregate in groups and keep six feet away from other people. It is as simple–and as important–as that if we are going to contain the outbreak.

Sentara Healthcare warns people about COVID-19 in-home testing scam

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Story at 13NewsNow.com

In one of its COVID-19 email updates, Sentara said: “We are heartsick that in the midst of a national health crisis, scammers would use our name to prey on worried people.”

Sentara said the person who got the call contacted it, and Sentara, in turn, reached out to police