April 22, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post

A2 ♦ Wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com

Kemp draws fire for reopening Ga. businesses

By Dave Williams and Beau Evans

Capitol Beat News Service

ATLANTA — Public health experts and local elected officials raised concerns Tuesday over whether Georgia businesses are ready to reopen safely while the coronavirus pandemic continues to chalk up new infections and deaths.

But business leaders welcomed Gov. Brian Kemp’s Brian Kemp announcement Monday that some businesses will be allowed to reopen as soon as the end of this week as a first step toward getting critically needed cash back into their coffers.

Kemp said Monday a host of businesses including gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, barbershops and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen this Friday.

Dine-in restaurants and movie theaters can throw open their doors next Monday.

While the number of Georgians who have died from COVID-19 was up to 799 as of noon Tuesday and positive cases had risen to 19,881, Kemp said the number of new cases is flattening and emergency room visits are declining.

He also announced a plan to increase both testing for the virus and the contact tracing that follows patients who test

positive for coronavirus.

“Our citizens are ready for this,” the governor said Monday. “People know what social distancing is.”

“We have the hospital bed capacity and the ramped-up testing and contact tracing,” he said. “I believe we will be able to stay on top of it.”

Georgia mayors criticize Kemp Mayors across Georgia criticized reopening businesses as premature and potentially dangerous.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said during an interview broadcast by CNN that any progress Georgia has made against the spread of coronavirus stems from the statewide shelter-in-place order Kemp imposed through the end of this month.

“If we’re in a better position, it’s because we’ve been aggressive in asking people to stay home,” she said. “I’m perplexed that we have opened up in this way. I don’t see that it’s based on anything that’s logical.”

Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz, who issued a shelter-in-place order two weeks before the statewide order went into effect early this month, said it’s too soon to reopen businesses while there’s still a lack of adequate testing.

“It’s like sending a football player onto the football field saying, ‘Eventually, we’re going to give you some pads and a

helmet. Eventually,’” he said.

Barbershops, beauty parlors and nail salons are exactly the type of settings where it’s impossible to maintain social distancing, said Albany Mayor Bo Dorough, also in an interview with CNN. Dorough worried Albany, one of the hardest-hit outbreak areas in the country, could see a reversal of gains made recently toward curbing hospital admissions and viral transmissions due to social distancing.

“I understand the governor had a difficult decision to make,” Dorough said. “I do, however, think he made the wrong decision.”

Health experts fear another outbreak Several public health experts also cast doubt Tuesday on whether the state is ready to reopen social gathering spots like restaurants.

Georgia has not met the federal criteria for seeing a steady decline in cases over a 14-day period before many businesses should start reopening, said Carlos del Rio, who chairs the Hubert Department of Global Health at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.

“Clearly, we’re not there,” del Rio said on Facebook.

“We haven’t even met that requirement.”

That opinion was echoed

by Grace Bagwell Adams, an associate professor of health

policy and management at the University of Georgia.

She also noted testing still is not comprehensive enough to quickly track where the virus is spreading.

“In all likelihood, we’ll see the cases go back up,” Adams said Tuesday. “That’s just the reality of the way this virus spreads.”

Federal and state officials often cite modeling from the University of Washington that shows Georgia has passed its peak in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions. But other models compiled at the University of Georgia paint a different picture of the transmission rate, said Andreas Handel, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UGA’s College of Public Health.

That modeling shows COVID-19 cases appear to be flattening, but it’s not clear yet whether they have started to decrease, Handel said Tuesday. Until a steady decline happens, reopening businesses where people tend to congregate too soon could spark another outbreak, potentially worse than what Georgia has seen so far, Handel said.

“In my opinion, it’s too early,” Handel said. “I don’t see the numbers cropping up to where it would be comfortable for reopening.”

While infection rates will likely go up if restrictions are relaxed now, it’s tough to predict how dramatically they

might go up due to the small pool of test results the state has so far, said Isaac Fung, an associate professor of epidemiology at Georgia Southern University’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health.

The trade-off, Fung said, is the elderly and people with chronic health issues who are most at risk from the virus have to keep isolated from the rest of the world longer than they would if popular gathering spots were to stay closed.

“The transmission is still going on in the community,” Fung said Tuesday. “Technically, there’s no end in sight until we have a very effective vaccine.”

Business leaders praise reopenings While public health experts are worried about reopening businesses, one provision of Kemp’s order stands to benefit the health-care industry. Hospitals in Georgia will be allowed to resume elective surgeries, an important component of their revenue streams the COVID-19 outbreak has cut off.

Piedmont Healthcare’s 11 hospitals canceled elective surgeries back in early March.

“We took all of our resources, and really the services that provide the economic funding for the organization, and shut it off to build capacity in the system to be able to take care of the COVID patients as the pandemic rolled

through Georgia,” Piedmont CEO Kevin Brown told the Atlanta Business Chronicle earlier this month.

“It’s an enormous fiscal cost to the organization, as well as other health care systems here in Georgia and across the country,” Brown said.

Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said Tuesday the criticism of Kemp’s decision to reopen businesses ignores the “measured and reasonable approach” the governor is taking.

Businesses that wish to reopen will have to follow a lengthy set of guidelines, including taking their employees’ temperatures, practicing safe distancing, disinfecting the premises and providing masks, he said. “[Kemp] didn’t just say, ‘The economy is open,’ Clark said. “Every business has to figure out how to operate in this new normal.”

Clark said the safety guidelines will require many businesses to limit the number of customers they can serve at a time.

“What they’re asking is just to do enough to get by in the short term,” he said. “This still isn’t going to save some businesses.”

Clark pointed out Kemp’s decision does not require businesses to reopen. In fact, he expects some will choose not to because they don’t feel ready.

“This is not a mandate,” he said.

Online commission chairman forum set Police arrest Kennesaw

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County residents are still sheltering-in-place because of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic, but they will get a chance to hear from nearly every candidate running to be the next county commission chairman from their homes this week.

Five community improvement districts located in Gwinnett County — including the Gateway 85, Gwinnett Place, Evermore, Lilburn and Sugarloaf CIDs — are teaming up to co-host an online candidates forum featuring the candidates running to replace county commission Chair-

woman Charlotte Nash.

The online forum will take place from 6 until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“The pandemic has dramatically changed the way candidates can campaign this election cycle,” said Emory Morsberger, executive director — Gateway85 CID. “All five County CIDs felt it was imperative that we give these candidates an opportunity to reach the public with their messages.”

The candidates are expected to discuss issues such as transportation, redevelopment, security during the forum, and viewers will have opportunities to submit questions through the Zoom chat option as well as the Facebook Live comments section.

The Gateway85 CID will post a link to watch the forum at www.facebook.com/Gateway85Gwinnett/, but anyone interested in watching the forum can also register in advance through Zoom at bit.ly/2VgnrZK or through the Gateway85 website at www.gateway85.com.

Candidates participating in the forum include Republicans George Awuku and David Post, and Democrats Nicole Love Hendrickson, Andy Morgan, Desmond Nembhard, Curt Thompson and Lee Thompson.

Organizers said the eighth candidate running for the seat, Republican Marcia Neaton, declined to participate in the online format of the forum.

teen in double homicide

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett police have made an arrest in the double homicide of two men, who were shot at a home in unincorporated Lawrenceville last week.

Police said they identified Kennesaw resident Steven Tran, 19, with the murders of Lawrenceville resident Julian Talbo, 20, and Grayson resident An Ha, 23, last Thursday.

The motive appeared to be drugrelated, according to police.

Tran was arrested Friday night and charged with two counts felony murder and three counts of aggravated assault.

Police previously said they were called Steven Tran to the home at 1850 Racquet Club Circle shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday on a report of a “person shot.” Officers found Talbo and Ha deceased on the lower level of the home.

Deal endorses Unterman in 7th Congressional race curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

639760-1

A familiar name in Georgia politics is weighing in on the battle over the 7th Congressional District.

Former Gov. Nathan Deal endorsed state Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, in the highly contested race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall. Unterman is one of several Republicans running for the seat, which has also drawn several Democrats vying to win the seat.

Deal is from Hall County which is outside, but just north of, the 7th Congres-

Renee Unterman

Nathan Deal

sional District.

“Renee Unterman has proven herself to be a passionate, courageous conservative fighter and I’m proud to endorse her campaign for Congress,” Deal said. “The people of Georgia deserve tough and thoughtful representatives, and I am confident Renee

will deliver results for her constituents because, believe me, she never stops working.

“As our state works to provide every Georgian with a bright future, I believe Renee is the candidate who will always do what’s right and get the job done.”

Deal is himself a former congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives before serving as governor for two terms from 2011 until he turned over the reins to Gov. Brian Kemp at the beginning of 2019.

“I’m honored and humbled to be endorsed by former Gov. Nathan Deal in my campaign to take our shared conserva-

tive values to Washington,” Unterman said. “During his time as governor, his conservative leadership helped our communities emerge from the Great Recession and flourish.

“It’s no wonder he left office

638213-1

By Curt Yeomans

as the most popular elected official in the state. I appreciate the strong friendship we built while working together to improve the lives of Georgians, and I’m grateful to have the support of one the great statesmen of our time.”

The Republican and Democratic Party primaries for the 7th Congressional District race, as well as other federal, state and local races up for grabs in Georgia will be held on June 9. Early voting is set to begin May 18.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD & NATION

WORLD

Coronavirus’ toll on Chinese restaurants is devastating Chinese restaurants are in deep trouble.

As of April 15, 59% of independent Chinese restaurants across America had completely stopped taking debit and credit card transactions, indicating they have ceased operations, according to Womply, a data subscription service. Womply tracks credit and debit card transactions to provide market insights to 10 million small businesses.

Restaurants across the United States are suffering under the business shutdowns in place because of the pandemic, but Chinese restaurants are by far the worst-hit segment of the industry, Womply reported.

Many Chinese restaurants won’t survive the coronavirus pandemic without targeted government intervention, advocates warn.

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, 270 restaurants operated in New York’s Chinatown, according to Wellington Chen, executive director of Manhattan’s Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation. Only 40 remain open, Chen told CNN Business on Friday.

A large number of Chinese restaurants in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood have similarly ceased operations, according to Malcolm Yeung, executive director of the city’s Chinatown Community Development Center.

Yeung, who also serves as a board member for the local Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said San Francisco’s Chinatown usually has about 150 Chinese restaurants in business, but now only 40 remain in operation.

Although Chinese restaurants around the world have become synonymous with takeout and delivery, many traditional Chinese restaurants offer only dine-in service. Yeung and Chen noted many traditional Chinese restaurants in major cities’ Chinatown districts shun delivery services such as GrubHub, because those services charge high fees.

Chen said he hopes Chinese restaurants will receive targeted relief funding and programs from the local, state and federal government. “If we don’t get the breaks, we cannot break even,” Chen said.

South Korea says ‘no unusual signs’ detected about Kim Jong Un’s health South Korea says it can’t corroborate reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is gravely ill, with an official in the presidential office saying Seoul believes he is with officials traveling outside the capital, Pyongyang.

The official said that “no unusual signs supporting reports about his health conditions have been detected.”

They also cast doubt on a report by a South Korean-based newspaper that Kim was recovering from surgery in the Mount Myohyang area, saying the leader was not believed to be in that part of the country.

Earlier, a US official with direct knowledge told CNN that Washington was monitoring intelligence which suggested Kim was in grave danger after undergoing a previous surgery.

— From wire reports

Congress reaches deal on $450B package to help small businesses

By Manu Raju and Clare Foran CNN

Congressional negotiations have reached a deal on a bill that includes hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding for small businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak, three sources familiar tell CNN. The text of the bill should be unveiled soon as the two sides give the deal a final read.

President Donald Trump signaled his approval of the deal on Twitter, saying, “I urge the Senate and House to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act with additional funding for PPP, Hospitals, and Testing.”

The Paycheck Protection Program is a small business loan program set up to deliver aid to businesses struggling from the economic deep freeze triggered by the pandemic.

The President indicated that negotiators will deal with additional funding for state and local governments — which Democrats had wanted to see included in the funding being approved in the Senate on Tuesday — in the next legislative package for coronavirus relief.

“After I sign this Bill, we will begin discussions on the next Legislative Initiative

cnn

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that he believes a $450 billion relief package could be passed in the Senate as soon as Tuesday afternoon to help small businesses and expand coronavirus testing. with fiscal relief ... to State/ Local Governments for lost revenues from COVID 19, much needed Infrastructure Investments for Bridges, Tunnels, Broadband, Tax Incentives for Restaurants, Entertainment, Sports, and Payroll Tax Cuts to increase Economic Growth,” Trump tweeted.

Negotiators had been racing to reach a deal to secure small business relief before the Senate convened Tuesday afternoon, but a dispute over how to handle COVID-19 testing had earlier held up an agreement.

Despite optimistic comments from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that he believed there was a deal, apart from finalizing

some details, one major issue that had not yet been resolved earlier had been whether to create a national testing strategy.

In the deal, there’s $25 billion for testing, with $11 billion given to the states.

The rest of the money will be given to other entities, including federal agencies, to invest in promising new technologies and to distribute to labs.

Democrats have been pushing for additional language to bolster the federal role in overseeing and coordinating testing and to create a specific national strategy, but Republicans have pushed back as Trump has said that the states need to take the lead.

Schumer said earlier on

NATION

Trump promises to rescue oil companies after prices go negative President Donald Trump wants to prevent the looming wave of bankruptcies and mass layoffs in America’s beleaguered oil industry.

Trump tweeted Tuesday that he instructed the secretaries of the Energy and Treasury departments to “formulate a plan” to “make funds available” to help oil and gas companies.

No details were announced, but Trump said the goal is to ensure that “these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future.”

The promise comes a day after U.S. oil prices crashed into negative territory for the first time ever, the starkest evidence yet of the epic supply glut overwhelming the market during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dirt-cheap oil is likely to cause hundreds of U.S. oil companies to go bankrupt — especially smaller ones that took on too much debt. Countless jobs hang in the balance, including in Texas, a potential battleground state in the November election.

“We will never let the great U.S. oil & gas industry down,” the president said.

The American Petroleum Institute, the largest oil and gas lobby, has said it’s not seeking a bailout like the one the airline industry received.

However, the industry has said it wants access to emergency lending facilities created by the federal government to help businesses ride out the crisis.

mario tama/getty images

President Donald Trump wants to prevent the looming wave of bankruptcies and mass layoffs in America’s beleaguered oil industry.

Air quality in US dramatically worse than in prior years, says new ‘State of the Air’ report

going to come. It almost feels like you’re drowning,” Seib continued.

“I don’t think until you’ve walked in the shoes of someone with respiratory issues (that) you really understand how scary that can be.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, which charged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with regulating all sources of air emissions. The goal was to reduce air pollution and acid rain, increase air quality and visibility, slow climate change and protect the ozone layer.

According to the EPA, the act is responsible for a 50% decline in emissions of key air pollutants since 1990, the year when a new series of amendments were passed.

Under the Trump administration, however, a number of those protections have been rolled back or have gone unregulated.

The air quality in the United States is dramatically declining, leaving about 150 million people — nearly half of America’s population — breathing unhealthy, heavily polluted air, according to the newly released “State of the Air” 2020 report by the American Lung Association.

“We’re moving in the wrong direction, with nearly nine million more people breathing dirty air than in last year’s report,” said Paul Billings, the national senior vice president of public policy for the American Lung Association.

That’s particularly bad news for people like Tim Seib, a 37-year-old New York City regional theater director who has suffered from asthma his entire life.

“Knowing we’ve let our air Bipartisan report get worse is maddening to me backs assessment that because air quality directly afRussia interfered to fects my day to day health,” Seib said. “It’s not a politihelp Trump in 2016 cal stance, it’s not an ideolA bipartisan report from ogy thing.”

“When asthma symptoms the Senate Intelligence comstart, you don’t know when mittee released on Tuesday your next full breath of air is has backed the U.S. intelli-

PEOPLE

Val Kilmer opens up in interview, new memoir after bout with throat cancer Val Kilmer is back on both the big and small screen.

The actor is set to co-star in ”Top Gun II” and on Tuesday was interviewed by ”Good Morning America’s” Chris Connelly.

Kilmer’s speaking voice is now much different because of a bout with throat cancer.

“I feel a lot better than I sound, but I feel wonderful,” the 60-year-old said. “I was diagnosed with throat cancer which healed very quickly. This is a tracheotomy to help me breathe because the glands in my throat swelled up as well.”

Kilmer went public with his cancer diagnosis in 2017 after initially denying reports he was ill.

His new memoir, titled “I’m Your Huckleberry” — a famous line of his from the 1993 film “Tombstone” — traces his career, including memorable roles playing legendary singer Jim Morrison in the big screen biopic about The Doors frontman.

Kilmer also shares in his book about his past romances, including with Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cindy Crawford.

Tuesday that he believes the roughly $450 billion relief package could be passed in the Senate.

“There is still a few more i’s to dot and t’s to cross, but we have a deal. And I believe we’ll pass it today,” he told CNN’s John Berman.

Outstanding concepts may have been agreed to late Monday night, but the actual legislative language had not yet been finalized.

Schumer told CNN that he, House Speaker Nancy Woman’s breast Pelosi, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and implant deflects Treasury Secretary Steve bullet, saving her life Mnuchin negotiated over the phone “well past midA woman who survived a night” Monday and “came to close-range gunshot wound to an agreement on just about the chest was saved because of every issue.” her silicone breast implants, doctors believe. gence community’s concluIn a case study published sion that Russia interfered in to the SAGE medical journal the 2016 Presidential elec- last week, doctors described tion to help then-candidate how a silicone breast implant Donald Trump. deflected a bullet away from The committee’s findings a 30-year-old woman’s vital are a rebuke to Trump’s fre- organs. quent claims of a “hoax” that The incident, which took Russia was trying to help place in 2018 in Toronto, Canhim win and the President’s ada, is one of only a handattacks on the intelligence ful of instances recorded in community. The panel con- medical literature where a cluded that the Obama ad- breast implant played a role ministration’s assessment in saving a patient’s life, and on Russian election inter- the first recorded instance of ference was crafted without a silicone implant doing so, political bias, undercutting surgeon Giancarlo McEvenue the President’s claims that told CNN. Doctors noted that officials like former CIA Di- the silicone implant was likely rector John Brennan and responsible for deflecting the Director of National Intel- bullet’s trajectory — ultimately ligence James Clapper were saving the woman’s life. using the intelligence com“The bullet wound entry was munity to attack him. on the left breast, but the rib Senate Intelligence Chair- fracture was on the right side. man Richard Burr said in a The bullet entered the skin on statement that the assess- the left side first, and then ricoment reflected “strong tra- cheted across her sternum into decraft” and “sound analyti- the right breast and broke her cal reasoning.” rib on the right side,” he explained. “The implant caused Judge rules Rick Gates the change in the trajectory of doesn’t have to spend the bullet,” he said.

days in jail during coronavirus pandemic

‘Better Call Saul’ plants the seeds for a killer final season

Former Trump campaign deputy chair Rick Gates does not have to report to jail during the coronavirus pandemic, a judge said on Tuesday.

Federal judge Amy Berman Jackson said on Tuesday Gates’ sentence of “intermittent confinement is hereby suspended indefinitely,” making him the latest high-profile inmate to receive some reprieve during the outbreak.

On Sunday, Gates asked to serve his jail sentence in home confinement instead, because going in and out of jail, where coronavirus cases have easily spread, could put his family’s health at risk. His wife is battling cancer.

— From wire reports

“Better Call Saul” added a few more pieces to its serialized jigsaw puzzle with the fifth-season finale, as the AMC prequel inches closer to the beginnings of “Breaking Bad.” The producers have announced that the coming season will be the show’s last, which makes sense, given that they appear to be running out of storytelling real estate. Still, with scores yet to settle between Lalo and Gus, as well as the still-uncertain future of Jimmy and Kim, if the past is in any way prologue, what a run it has been, and what a finish it promises to be.

— From wire reports

Parmitano went through a series of experiments with CIMON-2.

“CIMON-2 was able to navigate autonomously by verbal commands to a specific point within the Columbus module, a first for CIMON-2,” Biniok said.

“In addition, CIMON-2 can detect the emotions and Model of consistency tone of the astronauts during conversations, thanks to Before returning to Earth IBM Watson Tone Analyzer, on February 6, European which enables CIMON-2 to Space Agency astronaut Luca become an empathetic con-

versational partner.”

During his interactions with CIMON-2, Parmitano said the robot remained very “consistent.” CIMON-2 responded promptly to commands to turn and orient himself in various directions.

The robot also read out instructions that would guide Parmitano through procedures on the space station.

And CIMON-2 took photos and video in the research module and showed them to Parmitano.

Robot helps astronauts on the space station with tasks, stress and isolation

By Ashley Strickland CNN

Along for the ride with the astronauts on the International Space Station is a bit of a talking head called CIMON-2.

Designed to interact with the astronauts, the ball-shaped robot is helping them manage tasks, stress and the isolation of living more than 200 miles above their home planet.

Isolation is something many people are dealing with on Earth due to the pandem-

MUST READ ic. The project leads for the CIMON project think that lessons learned in space during this experiment could be applied on Earth.

“While in space, CIMON provides a possible basis for social assistance systems, which could reduce stress caused by isolation or group dynamic interactions during long-term missions, for example, to the moon or Mars, not dissimilar to situations on Earth,” Mat-

thias Biniok, IBM project lead for CIMON in Germany, said in an email.

“This research is especially important right now as the world is experiencing and learning more about isolation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The next generation of the Crew Interactive Mobile Companion, the CIMON-2 robot was built by Airbus at the German Aerospace Center and uses IBM artificial intelligence based on Watson technology.

It autonomously navigates

around the European Columbus research module on the space station as it goes about assisting the crew.

Since arriving on the space station in December, CIMON-2 has already passed some crucial milestones of his planned three-year journey. (He uses a male voice.)

A4 ♦ Wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH

WEATHER WATCH

Rare condition involves low calcium

D

EAR DR. ROACH: My grandson is 26 years old and has a rare disease called pseudohypoparathyroidism. The only doctor in our area who knows this disease has only ever seen one case. The medicine my grandson is on is not working and causes bad headaches. His Roach back hurts. He also has blood in his urine and can’t work. He takes .5 milligrams of calcitriol but his calcium is still low. He takes 3 grams of calcium a day.

Can you give me any information about this disease?

— G.P.J. ANSWER: Parathyroid hormone raises calcium levels in the blood by increasing dietary absorption, forcing the bones to release calcium and reducing the amount of calcium excreted by the kidney. Without parathyroid hormone, calcium levels in the blood may become dangerously low. This is called hypoparathyroidism. It is quite rare as a genetic condition, but can happen after surgery on the thyroid or parathyroid glands.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is low calcium levels but above-normal PTH levels. It is normally caused by resistance to the effects of PTH by kidney or bone. The PTH levels are above normal because the body tries to compensate for this resistance to PTH. The cause is most commonly a damaged gene called GNAS1, and if inherited from the mother, the kidney is the primary site of resistance.

People with this condition tend to be short, have a characteristic appearance, and may have developmental delay. The effect of the high PTH on the bones causes different bone problems, including pain, which probably explains the back pain your grandson has.

Calcitriol is the usual treatment, but many people need much higher doses to get the calcium in the normal range: up to 2 mg. Calcium is usually given 1-2 grams per day.

Because GNAS1 is also present in the pituitary gland, thyroid and testes, people with pseudohypoparathyroidism need to be checked for low thyroid and sex hormone abnormalities.

You can read more about pseudohypoparathyroidism, including support groups, at tinyurl.com/pseudoPTH. DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor put me on a beta blocker for high blood pressure a year ago. Shortly thereafter, I began coughing incessantly, especially after meals, producing a clear mucus. I returned to my doctor and was switched from a beta blocker to an ACE inhibitor.

There was little to no difference in my cough. I consulted an allergist, to no avail. At the urging of my co-workers, I saw a gastroenterologist to see if I had GERD, which I did not.

I began a many months long treatment with an acupuncture specialist, with no results.

One day while reading online I found that both medicines could have the side effect of cough. I returned to my doctor, who switched me to a calcium channel blocker, and within the month my cough was gone. Hopefully, this will save someone else from future suffering.

— D.M. ANSWER: I appreciate your writing. ACE inhibitors — the generic name ends in “pril,” such as lisinopril — cause cough in up to 20% of people, so if you had started with the ACE inhibitor and had a cough, it would have been recognized quickly.

Beta blockers do not normally cause cough. However, they can precipitate asthma in people who are predisposed.

Although wheezing is more common, cough is not uncommon in asthma.

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

90%

20%

40%

10%

10%

10%

75 54

71 56

0%

74 53

74 50

the solunar tables for lakes are based on studies that show fish and game are more active at certain times during the lunar period.

MAJOR 1:05-3:05 a.m.............1:26-3:26 p.m.

MINOR 6:59-7:59 a.m. ............ 7:57-8:57 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS trees: moderate Weeds: moderate grass: High

LOTTERY Tuesday cash 3 midday: 2-6-4 cash 4 midday: 5-1-5-4 ga. 5 midday: 3-0-8-6-4 Monday cash 3 midday: 3-5-5 cash 3 evening: 1-8-8 cash 3 night: 7-2-8 cash 4 midday: 0-1-0-0 cash 4 evening: 2-8-8-1 cash 4 night: 4-5-6-7 ga. 5 midday: 9-1-7-7-0 ga. 5 evening: 4-8-1-0-2 Fantasy 5: 10-21-30-31-39

74 55

70 48

65 46

LAKE LEVELS

SOLUNAR TABLES the gwinnett daily post (Upsp 921-980, issn 1086-0096) is published Wednesday, Friday and sunday by scni, 725 old norcross road, lawrenceville, ga 30045. periodical postage paid at lawrenceville, ga 30044. postmaster: send address changes to gwinnett daily post, p.o. Box 603, lawrenceville, ga 30046-0603.

HOROSCOPES

Lake Full Yesterday allatoona ............(840.0) .... 839.24 Blackshear ......... (237.0) .....236.31 Blue ridge........(1690.0) .. 1684.77 Burton..............(1865.0) .. 1864.58 carters.............(1072.0) ...1072.26 chatuge ........... (1927.0) .. 1923.36 Harding .............. (521.0) .....519.96 Hartwell .............(660.0) .....661.22 Jackson..............(530.0) .... 529.72

Lake Full Yesterday lanier............... (1071.0) ...1072.02 nottely..............(1779.0) ...1773.41 oconee ..............(435.0) .... 434.88 seminole...............(77.5) ....... 77.71 sinclair ...............(339.8) .... 339.80 thurmond ..........(330.0) .... 330.82 tugalo ................ (891.5) .... 890.24 Walter F. george.(188.0) .....191.03 West point..........(635.0) .... 635.04

TODAY IN HISTORY TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1889, the oklahoma land rush began as thousands of settlers were allowed into the state to claim land at high noon. in 1954, live television broadcasting of the U.s. senate’s army-mccarthy hearings began. in 1970, an estimated 20 million americans participated in nationwide demonstrations marking the first earth day. in 2000, federal agents seized 6-year-old elian gonzalez from his relatives’ house in miami to return him to his father in cuba.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Henry Fielding (1707-1754), author/playwright; immanuel Kant (1724-1804), philosopher; Vladimir lenin (1870-1924), soviet leader; J. robert oppenheimer (1904-1967), physicist; Bettie page (1923-2008), model/actress;

aaron spelling (1923-2006), screenwriter/ producer; glen campbell (1936-2017), singer-songwriter; Jack nicholson (1937), actor; John Waters (1946- ), filmmaker; peter Frampton (1950- ), singer-songwriter; Jeffrey dean morgan (1966- ), actor; amber Heard (1986- ), actress; marshawn lynch (1986- ), football player; machine gun Kelly (1990- ), rapper.

TODAY’S FACT: the senate’s armymccarthy hearings were the first nationally televised congressional inquiry.

TODAY’S SPORTS: in 2004, former professional football player pat tillman was killed by friendly fire while serving as an army ranger in afghanistan.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “Have patience awhile; slanders are not long-lived. truth is the child of time; erelong she shall appear to vindicate thee.” -- immanuel Kant

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Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

COLUMNIST I AMY DICKINSON

Father worries about son’s drinking

D

EAR AMY: You frequently suggest books for people to read on the subject they are worried about.

I have a son who has been drinking for quite a while now, and he is not realistic about his problem.

He is 53, and otherwise a very nice person.

Could you suggest a book for him that may catch his eye and cause him to think about his drinking? I would very much appreciate your input.

— Dad DEAR DAD: Some books can offer up unforgettable “ahha” moments, but — when it comes to addiction, the personal realization needs to come first, followed by acceptance, the humility required to desire genuine and lasting change, and the determination to try.

Here I am, staring at a shelffull of diet books, all of which seemed like a solution when I acquired them, but none of which proved useful until I decided to take responsibility — and be accountable — for my own behavior. And then — what do you know — I didn’t need a book.

So no — although addiction memoirs and self-help books are abundant, I don’t think there is a magic book out there that would inspire your son toward rapid change.

However, if handing your

son a book would help YOU to talk to him about his drinking, then you could present him with: “RecovDickinson ery: Freedom from Our Addictions, by Russell Brand (2018, Picador). Brand is a British actor, comedian, podcaster, autodidact, and all-around wonderful weirdo who is in recovery for his own multiple addictions. This book contains some smart insights.

More important than any book, however, would be your decision to tell your son your own truth about his drinking. Are you worried? Say so.

Do you want to try to help?

Tell him.

You will feel better if you can learn and practice the art of detachment. When it comes to your son’s drinking, you are, in fact, powerless. This can be a very challenging truth for a parent to accept.

Al-anon’s supportive community would be a source of comfort and knowledge for you — check Al-anon.org for local meetings and online support. The Al-anon “bible” is “Courage to Change,” (1992, Al-anon Family Groups). You might benefit from its daily readings and meditations.

DEAR READERS: Our current isolated status has

pushed a lot of us to go just a tiny bit bonkers — in a good way.

In addition to the very serious issues raised in this space, I’ve received coronavirus poetry, videos of people learning to play the banjo, families lip syncing to pop songs in their pajamas, and other varieties of delightful silliness. I love it all. (You can watch my own homemade, goofball instructional video of how to dye your own hair at home, posted on amydickinson.com.)

I also received the following two questions from a married couple: “Mrs. and Mr. Smith.”

DEAR AMY: An unexpected effect of coronavirus isolation is that my husband has developed a thirst for the perfect shoe. He already possesses an impressive collection of casual shoes, sneakers, and a few dress shoes.

Now he has acquired shoes to walk to the bottom of the driveway, shoes for the short walks vs. the 5-mile walks (we live way out in the country), and he insists he needs more shoes for sunny weather, damp weather, slippery conditions and “unforeseen situations.”

This quest for the perfect shoe is expensive, of course, but do I need to fear for his mental health? I’ve started calling him “Imelda.”

— Mrs. Smith DEAR AMY: I’m married

to a wonderful woman, but she insists on cleaning up nonstop. Even when we’re having dinner, if she spots a crumb on the floor, she leaps out of her chair with a vacuum cleaner. She’s using a robot vacuum too, so that she can clean in two places at once.

Also, she can be very critical. If I don’t hang up my shirts to suit her, she’s very quick to point out the proper technique. Even my closet is under her constant scrutiny, and I’ve become afraid to use it, so I’m forced to leave my garments on the floor.

Is there a way to solve this problem without ruining the perfect bliss of our marriage?

— Mr. Smith DEAR MRS. AND MR. SMITH: Let us tread, ever so gently, through this pandemic — but not over each other — and wearing the perfect shoe, if possible.

For now, one of you gets to Roomba, and the other gets to rumba (in his dancing shoes).

Be safe, be well, and keep your quick wits about you.

You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: ASKAMY@amydickinson. com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or “like” her on Facebook.

Break old habits and enforce positive change. the harder you push, the more you will accomplish. a partnership must be balanced and fair if it is to thrive. cleaning up after everyone else won’t help you reach your full potential.

Be honest and do what’s best for you.

TAURUS (april 20-may 20) — enhance your chance to advance. let your work speak for you instead of your words. an offer that is too good to turn down awaits you. don’t argue over petty differences.

GEMINI (may 21-June 20) — your persuasive charm will influence others to see things your way. a connection you make will grow into a supportive relationship that will help you reach your life goal. romance is featured.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Keep your thoughts to yourself. your best efforts will bear fruit if you concentrate on doing a good job and finishing what you start. take care of your responsibilities before doing anything else.

LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — you’ll be a crowd-pleaser today, but your efforts may not be as warmly received by someone close to you. don’t neglect the people you love. a kind gesture will be appreciated.

VIRGO (aug. 23-sept. 22) — embrace change and keep moving forward. consider an offer that will encourage you to grow personally, intellectually and financially. avoid getting involved in a joint venture.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — consider the best way to get ahead in the shortest time.

Failing to disclose your feelings will lead to unwanted responsibilities. leave yourself time for enjoyment, romance and personal growth.

SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov. 22) — make a change at home. a move or investment will give you the time and space you need to succeed. procrastination will be what holds you back. embrace new beginnings.

SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23-dec.

21) — don’t take on too much. consider what will bring the highest return and the best response from the people you care about most. romance is on the rise.

CAPRICORN (dec. 22-Jan. 19) — look over your options and consider your long-term goals. Keep your emotions under control and make decisions based on facts and figures. say no to someone asking for too much. moderation is encouraged.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Question your direction. don’t let depression hold you back. Walk away from people who bring you down or limit what you can do. aim for personal gain and a healthier lifestyle.

PISCES (Feb. 20-march 20) — consider what’s realistic before you jump into something unfamiliar to you. someone will mislead you due to ulterior motives. protect your heart and assets.

ARIES (march 21-april 19) — emotions will swell up quickly. don’t overreact or say or do something you’ll regret. take a deep breath and a step back, and consider what’s best for you. personal growth is favored.

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gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ A5

PERSPECTIVES

Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline,

Editor and SCNI Vice President of Content todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

COLUMNIST|DAVID CARROLL

Dear 2020: You haven’t won yet!

D

ear 2020: Maybe I should wave Tom Petty, and widened our racial and the white flag. Usually I’ll go sev- political divide. eral months before throwing in the Still, 2020, you knew I am an eternal towel. But you, 2020, are an opponent optimist, so you convinced me you were like none I have faced. different. You strolled in singing New Sure 1963, you were a disaster. I was York, New York while Ryan Seacrest too young to remember much about your giddily counted you in. I should’ve susfirst ten months, but November pected something when we lost 22nd pretty much sealed your fate.

Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and You let an assassin take the life seven others in a helicopter crash of President John F. Kennedy at in January. We now know you the age of 46. I’m not letting you were just getting started. forget that.

Around that time, people were I met a lot of friendly years for a whispering that you had something while. Most of the 1970s and 1980s called a coronavirus up your evil got me into broadcasting, which sleeve. You hadn’t really sprung Carroll is really all I ever wanted to do. I it on us, but we now know it was have no quarrel with those years. in your back pocket all along. Just 1983, you were a gem. You got me mar- before spring, my favorite season, you ried, and 1987 and 1990, you brought me unleashed it at full fury. You took away great children (who are now amazing our sports, our hugs, and our favorite adults). So you get gold stars too. sit-down restaurants. You won’t even You crazy 1990s years, we were cruising let us go to a movie or a concert. How right along, raising little kids and having could you? all the fun and life experiences that go But you weren’t finished. Just last with it. I have no complaints about you. week, you huffed and puffed, and blew Y2K, you had me scared, well in ad- our houses down. Our sweet southern vance of your arrival. You threatened to corner of the US was still reeling from come in and shut everything down, but middle Tennessee tornadoes (also on your it turned out you were all talk, no action. watch), and here you come again, wiping No harm done. out homes and businesses in Louisiana, 2001, you were doing okay until Sep- Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. tember 11th. That’s when you frightened Don’t claim victory just yet, 2020. Just my children, and truth be told, you shook hours after your latest devilish devastame up too. I just didn’t let the kids know tion, I read some comments from neighthat. Still, you know what you did. I’m bors of storm victims on Facebook. still dealing with the aftermath of your I spent the past 6 hours doing repairs, evil ways. Every time I’m frisked when cleanup, and counting my blessings. I was I try to board an airplane or see a ball constantly hearing sirens or medical hegame, I still curse your name. You stole licopters making their runs. God be with my innocence, along with that of many those who they were helping. Their lives fun-loving Americans. are changed forever.

2011, you were just nasty. On April Plus, Friends, we have no damage 25th you wrecked the lives of so many of and we have full power. If you need a my neighbors with a tornado outbreak hot shower, coffee or a meal, WiFi, or that seemed endless. Like many, I still some outlets to charge your phones, just have the scars from my run-in with you. come on over.

2015, I had my fill of you on July 16th And finally, from my friend Garry Mac, during a terrorist attack on our military “My 93-year old mother was carried on friends in my dear city of Chattanooga. the back of a firefighter as she was taken That was inexcusable. out of her demolished home. She laid on 2016, you went back-to-back with your the floor praying for two hours, until a ugly predecessor. In that same town, you hero came to her rescue. She’s shaken shuffled along for a while, almost without up, but she will recover.” being detected. Then, three days before Here’s to the heroes who are providThanksgiving, you broke my heart, tak- ing comfort to those who have lost their ing six sweet children from us in a school homes. With your help, I think we can bus crash. You knew we could never re- beat 2020 after all. cover, but you did it anyway.

2017, 2018, and 2019, I’m not going David Carroll, a Chattanooga news after any of you in particular, but don’t anchor, is the author of Volunteer stand there like you’re innocent. You Bama Dawg, available on his website, brought us mass shootings at schools, ChattanoogaRadioTV.com. You may contact churches and concerts, plus kids eating him at radiotv2020@yahoo.com, or 900 Tide Pods. Meanwhile you took away Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: EmAil: letters@gwinnettdailypost.com mAil: 725 Old Norcross Road Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046

COLUMNIST|CAL THOMAS

“...the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (from the First Amendment) onservatives are mostly a passive lot, expressing their frustrations and anger over ideas they oppose by listening to or watching Fox News, talk radio, or attending Trump rallies when that was possible.

The duration of the COVID-19 lockdown and its associated unemployment “pandemic” are changing that. Recent arbitrary executive orders by some governors have driven many who have never before demonstrated for or against anything into the streets of state capitals, with more likely to come. They want their jobs and country back.

President Trump is helping them out with his rallying cry to “liberate” Michigan, Virginia and Minnesota. These states are led by Democratic governors, whose party members in Congress appear to me to view

C

COLUMNIST|DARRELL HUCKABY

Looking for common sense in an uncommon situation

“I

don’t give a damn about politics In fact, he clearly stated that if you are right now . . . there are people wor- in that group that is of higher risk, like rying about feeding their families over 65, for instance, or obese or you’re and paying their mortgage.” battling an illness like cancer — I qualify Thus Brian Kemp, governor of Georgia, for all three — then you should continue takes the first bold step toward reopen- to shelter in place, at least until the miding the state after several weeks dle of May. of quarantine, which has caused Again, he said Georgians COULD thousands of people to lose their go out, not that they should or that jobs and driven thousands more to they had to. the brink, as the governor noted, of And he urged us to use common losing businesses they had poured sense in deciding whether church their whole lives into building. meetings and such gatherings will From the first day the state was take place. Of course, common “shut down” this day was coming, sense is an uncommon commodDarrell and the governor was going to be ity these days. wrong in the eyes of half the people Huckaby Another important point here is no matter when that day came — that the whole quarantine deal was and I put “shut down” in quotation marks never intended to make sure that people because when you can go with your whole would never be exposed to the virus. It family to Walmart and Target and Lowes is not going away that fast and we could and Piggly Wiggly any time you want, the never have stayed shut down until it did state is not really shut down.

— or until we have a foolproof treatment Gov. Kemp, like 49 other U.S. governors or vaccine. If we had stayed shut down and the president of the United States, is until that point, we wouldn’t have had an facing the most classic “damned-if-you- economy to go back to. do-and-damned-if-you-don’t” scenario The purpose was to flatten the crest of since Pilot washed his hands over the the wave until we had enough ventilators, whole Jesus situation. hospital beds, etc. to care for the people We have a deadly and contagious virus who needed caring for when the crest of washing across our land. People are con- the wave hit. Our medical professionals tracting the virus. People are dying. This is and scientists tell us that the crest ochappening in much higher concentrations curred on April 7. in some areas of Georgia than others and I trust the scientists and medical profesmuch more among certain demographic sionals that are advising Gov. Kemp more groups than others. It is not a one-size- than I trust random social media posters fits-all kind of disease. Although all of us that, on the same days they posted, “Briare at risk, some of us are at greater risk an Kemp is an idiot” posted that “KFC than others. changed its corporate name last week And yet, if the economy of Georgia com- because they no longer sell ‘chicken’ but pletely collapses, as it could easily do if we genetically engineered animals that do do not reopen the economy in a timely not have beaks or feathers.” manner, the rain of economic disaster Once again. If you do not feel safe, stay will fall on all people. That’s the dilem- at home. Stay at home. Stay at home. Noma the governor faced. He made a deci- body will come to your house and force sion. HE made a decision. He didn’t take you to go out in public. At some point we a Facebook poll — thank goodness. HE have to take responsibility for our own made a decision. lives. The government is not your dadAnd now, SOME businesses will be al- dy. Period. lowed to open this Friday and some others I do not know if Gov. Kemp has made will be allowed to open on Monday. And the right call. Neither do you. Only time some people are acting like Brian Kemp has will tell. But the call was his to make, and signed their own personal death warrants. he made it. I know for a fact that he made Let him who has ears hear. The gover- it prayerfully and with the good of the ennor said hair dressers COULD go back to tire state of Georgia in mind. work, if they met 20 different conditions.

That’s about as good as he could be He did not mandate that a SINGLE ONE asked to do. That’s as good as anybody OF US has to go to a hair salon — or a gym, could be asked to do. or a bowling alley or a theater or out to eat. Nada. Not one of us has to leave our Darrell Huckaby is an author in Rockdale home. Nobody has to go anywhere.

County. Email him at dhuck008@gmail.com.

Liberate America

the virus as a political opportunity Restaurants should be allowed to damage President Trump’s reto reopen while practicing social election prospects. distancing and requiring staff to At least some Republican govwear masks and gloves. In warmer ernors are heeding the president’s climates, outdoor tables and chairs call to “open up.” Last week, Gov. could help bring traffic back to preRon DeSantis of Florida announced pandemic numbers. Restaurant the reopening of some beaches and employees are often the most ecoThomas parks with restrictions. nomically vulnerable because many In Texas, as the Ft. Worth Starrely heavily on tips. Whatever monTelegram reported, Gov. Greg Abbott “Out- ey they might receive if restaurant owners lined a careful, phased-in effort to allow applied for government loans and grants is businesses to open.” The governor also not likely to make up the difference. named advisory panels to suggest next That there has been an overreaction to steps. Such panels are becoming the pre- this virus, in my opinion, is hard to dispute. ferred strategy. If a policy fails, politicians Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who has can spread the failure and responsibility exchanged compliments with President around, while taking credit for any success. Trump for the federal assistance given to Gov. Abbott also promised he will be his state, accused the president of “fomentguided by medical data. One hopes that ing domestic rebellion” with his liberation doesn’t include computer models, which, calls. He added that the president is encouraccording to National Review, are prov- aging “illegal and dangerous acts.” ing unreliable in forecasting the number I don’t think so. of deaths and new virus cases.

Last week, Michigan Democratic Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order, which, according to Bridge, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization, permits “kayaking, boating, sailing or canoeing, but not in a motorized pontoon boat or anything that would require a trip to the gas station.”

People can “mow their own lawn, but not hire someone to do it.” Michiganders can “travel to care for an elderly relative, but not visit friends or go to second homes.” They can also “go for a walk, but not go golfing.”

Liquor and lottery ticket sales were not banned by the governor, who is under consideration by Joe Biden as a possible running mate.

With such silly and arbitrary dictates, is it any wonder more people are taking to the streets?

Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ new book “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers and the Future of the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan).

A6 ♦ Wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.com CLOSE TO HOME

John McPherson

FAMILY CIRCUS

Bill Keane

Today’s Solution

BEETLE BAILEY Mort & Greg Walker

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall

DILBERT®

Scott Adams

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne

Zits Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEANUTS

GARFIELD Jim Davis

POOCH CAFE Paul Gilligan

Charles M. Schulz

PICKLES Brian Crane

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same numSolution to today's Sudoku ber only once.

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today’s Answer: Southern

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ A7

Buford High School hires new band director From staff reports

Buford High School has a new band director. And he’s coming from nearby.

Erik Mason will take over the Buford band program on July 1 after teaching for 14 years at neighboring Mill Creek High, where he has served as the director of bands since 2006. Under Mason’s watch at Mill Creek, The Pride of Mill Creek marching band was a nine-time Bands of America (BOA) Regional and SuperRegional Finalist and a threetime Bands Of America Class AAAA Regional Champion.

He hopes to bring that same

success to Buford. “ I a m thrilled about the opportunity to lead the Band of Wolves. Their Erik Mason limitless future is bright, and nothing will hold us back from achieving our goal of becoming one of America’s best band programs,” Mason said. “Buford has a long tradition of excellence in performing arts, and I look forward to playing a part in their continued success.”

According to a press release

from Buford High, Mason helped grow the Mill Creek band program from 100 participants to more than 300 members. Mason took the Mill Creek band to London twice for the city’s New Year’s Day Parade and also took the band to Italy on another trip.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have Erik Mason become a part of our fine arts faculty. He brings a career full of outstanding achievements and incredible opportunities for students. His experience and leadership have built a reputation for integrity and excellence,” Buford High’s Director of Fine Arts,

Dr. Chris Fowler, said. “We all look forward to what he will be able to do with our band members.”

Before taking over at Mill Creek, Mason served as the band director at South Gwinnett High School from 20022006 and the assistant band director for both Rockdale and Henry County High Schools before that.

Mason holds a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in music education from the University of Georgia. He has presented clinics at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference three times

and has served around the Southeast and Europe as an adjudicator and clinician for concert and marching bands.

He is also a five-time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.

Mason, who has three children, said he is excited for the chance for he and his wife to work at the same school his kids attend.

“Another aspect I am excited about is being a part of Buford’s family-oriented, tight-knit community,” Mason said. “For the first time, my wife and I will teach in the same schools that our three children are attending. I ap-

preciate the faith the Board of Education has in me to lead the Band of Wolves to the next level.”

Said new Buford High Principal Teresa Hagelthorn said: “I was most impressed with his passion for both his students and his love of the arts.

The long list of accomplishments, along with the respect that his programs have gained throughout his career, speaks volumes to his dedication and professionalism. We feel very fortunate that he will be leading the Band of Wolves and I am extremely excited for our students that will benefit greatly under his guidance.”

OBITUARIES Cleveland

Wendell Columbus Bailey It is with great sadness we announce our husband and father, Wendell C. Bailey, 76 of Cleveland, Ga (formerly of Lilburn) died peacefully Friday, April 17, 2020 at 6:05 a.m. of natural causes related to multiple illness.

Born 1943 as the youngest of 5 children to Alton and Lula Belle Bailey, Wendell married his childhood sweetheart Gail (Maddox) in 1962. Together they had two daughters, Melissa and Marlene. With his brother Troy, he co-ran the family Custom Cabinetry business, also experiencing success in residential construction. Wendell had a love of classic cars and built/restored several award-winning rides, most of which were painted his favorite classic black.

Known as a good friend, kind and big-hearted father and grandfather, and steadfast husband and provider, Wendell enjoyed practicality with a good dose of humor. Nothing lit up a room quite like his big bear hugs and ear to ear grins. Preceded in death by his parents, sister Mildred, brother Morris, and brother Troy, Wendell is survived by his wife Gail, daughters Melissa and Marlene, sister Sonya, grandchildren Megan, Dakota, and Hayden, sons and grandsons-in-law, step- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Wendell will rest at Bill Head’s Funeral Home, Duluth, awaiting final burial at Gwinnett Memorial Park. A celebration of life and memorial service will be scheduled at a later date due to current social distancing guidelines.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www. billheadfuneralhome. com. Flowers may be sent to Bill Head Funeral Home at 3088 Duluth Hwy, Duluth, Ga 30096, or in lieu thereof donate to a favorite charity.

HOSCHTON

Billy Bennett Billy Bennett, age 89, of Hoschton passed away Monday, April 20, 2020. Billy was a devoted husband and father, a 20 years veteran of the United States Navy. He loved to travel and see family. Billy stayed true to his values & he loved life. Survivors include his sons Wayne A. Bennett and wife Cheryl of Coco Beach Florida, William J. Bennett and wife Susan L. of Panama City Beach, FL; daughters Karen Bennett McNally of Gainesville, Teresa Eason and husband Scott of Suwanee; brothers Marvin Bennett and wife Emily of Dacula, Donald Charles Bennett and wife Pat of Tucker; sister Martha Baughcom and husband Raymond of Grayson; 9 grandchildren

and 3 great grandchildren.

Billy is preceded in death by his wife Marie Louis Bennett and daughter Frances Munyon. Graveside service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday April 24, 2020 at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 1832 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA 30096. Monti Ray Robinson will be officiating.

Interment to follow. The family will receive friends 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Lawson Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-6540966.

Hoschton, GA

Lawrenceville

Judith Ann Magill Judith Ann Magill, age 80, of Lawrenceville, GA passed away Thursday, April 16, 2020. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert “Bob” Magill; sons, Jeff Magill and David (Angela) Magill; grandchildren, Brittney Magill, Jennifer Westmoreland, and Stephanie Hanson. Judith was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed. A private interment will be held honoring the life of Judith at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be sent to or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service LLC, “A Family Company” 120 Scenic Hwy Lawrenceville, GA 770963-2411 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

of 24 years. Both apples followed in Richard’s footsteps and didn’t fall far from the tree. Richard is survived by his wife, Joan Compton Pittman of 52 years. Richard and Joan were high school sweethearts and he always called her my Ms. America.Richard is also survived by his daughter and sonin-law, Natalie and Jim Riker of Suwanee, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Sean and Sara Pittman; grandchildren, Kylie Pittman and Kaleb Pittman all of Suwanee, GA and sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Ray Darracott of Alpharetta, GA. Online Condolences may be sent by visiting www. billheadfuneralhome.com.

Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel (770) 476-2535.

Lawrenceville

Dillard Hillman Mr. Dillard Hillman, 78, of Hoschton, passed away Friday, April 17, 2020 at Northeast Georgia Medical, Braselton Campus.

Due to the global pandemic COVID 19, a memorial service will be held at a later date.

Born on April 1, 1942 in Cuthbert, GA he was the son of the late Grady Proctor and Aileen Daniels (James Daniels). He was a bus driver for the City of New York.

Mr. Hillman is survived by his wife of 55 years, Diahanne Dudley Hillman of Hoschton; son, Craig Hillman of Brooklyn NY; daughter and son in law, Adrienne and Raymond Brown, Jr. of Duluth; grandchildren, Nia Rae Brown, Raymond Hillman Brown III; brother, Kenneth Daniels (deceased) of Hartford CT; James Daniels Jr. of Lilburn; sisters, Olivia Bussey of Columbus, GA, Clara Thomas of Irvington NJ, Maelene Williams of Manchester CT, Gwendolyn Colbert of Manchester CT, Betty Daniels (deceased) of Irvington, NJ; Jacqueline Daniels of Irvington NJ and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial Park Funeral Home Braselton Chapel, 5257 Green Street Hwy 53, Braselton, GA 30517 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.comArrangements by Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel BRASELTON

Kilgore, Jon Wilton Jon Wilton Kilgore passed away on April 14, 2020.

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

$

CALL 770.963.9205 Ext. 1161 or Ext. 1162

Suwanee

Richard C. Pittman Richard (Rickey) Carol Pittman, 72, of Suwanee, GA, formerly of Duluth, GA passed away peacefully at Antebellum James Burgess Memory Care Center on Sunday April 19, 2020. Born in Atlanta, GA, to Clayton Mills Pittman and Irene Dunaway Pittman he graduated Chamblee High School, Chamblee, GA in 1967.

The family plans on having a Celebration of Life once social distancing ends. Mr. Pittman, retired after 22 years, was a Territory Salesman for Spalding Sporting Goods in their Golf Division calling on golf course Pro Shops.

Richard spent his career traveling the Southeast, primarily in the Carolinas, where he earned multiple awards for top revenue achievement and new business expansion. In his retired years Richard worked at PGA Superstore where he shared his love and knowledge of the game and excelled at helping the novice to the most experienced golfers with club fitting. He was recognized by PGA Superstore for Customer Service Excellence and Above and Beyond Awards on multiple occasions and was a valued member of their team. Richard was a devoted father and extremely proud of his two children, Sean and Natalie. Sean, a recognized baseball MVP, was inducted into the University of North Georgia Hall of Fame in 2019 and like his Dad enjoys a successful career in the sporting goods industry. Natalie, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, continues to thrive in her sales and marketing career of h l

Eula Mae Smith (Bearden) Eula Mae Smith, age 89 of Lawrenceville, GA passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-nine years, Curtis Dorsey Smith; daughter, Suzanne Smith; grandson, Daniel Edwin Smith; parents, Charlie and Eula Bearden; and nine siblings, Roye W. Skrains, Lafayette Skains, Genell Skains Meacham, Pauline Bearden Taylor, Aline Baker, Elhanon Bearden, Dorothy Bearden Brantley, James Everette Bearden, and Garland Elliott Bearden. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Patti Smith, Lawrenceville, GA; grandchildren, Christopher Dorsey and Samantha Smith, Lawrenceville, GA, Ryan Joseph and Kristin Smith, Norcross, GA; great grandchildren, Curtis D. Smith, Thomas Gabriel Smith, Amelia Marie Smith, Alexis Christine Smith, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Smith was born on August 15, 1930 in Downsville, LA. She was a 1947 graduate of Downsville High School. After thirty years of service, she retired in 1982 from Southern Bell as a manager. She was a member of the Prospect United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville, GA and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Moeller officiating. Interment will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park in Lawrenceville, GA. The family will greet friends on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Lawrenceville

Virginia Mae Wages (Jones) Virginia J. Wages, 76, of Lawrenceville went home to be with the Lord on April 20, 2020. She was born in Gwinnett County and was preceded in death by her parents Sam P. and Gertie B. Jones. In addition, she was preceded in death by her brothers Lamar Jones and Dennis Jones; her sisters Frances Lowery and Joyce Cooper.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 55 years William G. Wages, son and daughter-in-law Dr. Phil and Marsha Wages of Winterville, grandsons Mac and Seth Wages of Winterville, sister Hazel Brooks of Snellville, and brother James Jones of Lawrenceville, many cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Virginia had the unique privilege of being born, living most of her life and passing away on New Hope Road in Lawrenceville.

She graduated from South Gwinnett High School in 1961. Virginia was employed for over 45 years at places like Kilpatrick Printing in Atlanta, U.S. Envelope in Doraville, J.G. Dyer Elementary, Lawrenceville Middle School and the Gwinnett Sheriff’s Department. She had an exemplary work ethic and enjoyed simple pleasures like refinishing furniture, working in her yard and traveling to Daytona Beach, Florida. Virginia had been a member of Hebron Baptist Church since 1988 and had sang in the adult worship choir for several years. She was gloriously saved in August of 1990 after realizing she had been a lost church member for many years.

Due to the Covid-19 virus and new regulations, the family will have a private graveside service at Gwinnett Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceville at 11:00 a.m. on April 22, 2020. A memorial service will be announced at a later date/ time. In lieu of flowers please send financial memorial gifts to the Winterville First Baptist Church, 305 N. Church Street, Winterville, GA 30683.

Grace Deaton; mother and father in-law, Vonley and Claude Weaver; granddaughters, Kami Youngblood and Amy Gorman; brother and sister in-law, Hugh and Clarice Deaton; sisters and brothers in-law, Helen and Edgar Williams, Jr. and Edith and Dan Morton; brother in-law, Jerry Williams; niece, Carol Morton; son in-law, Howard Burrell. She is survived by her children, Brenda Burrell, Buford, Deborah Martin, Buford, Richard and Julie Weaver, Gainesville; 11 grandchildren, Chris and Ashley Youngblood, Kelly and Kelly Youngblood, Corey and Amber Youngblood, Kim and Matt Wilbanks, Kim Bango, Dawson and Saundra Burrell, Jason Weaver, Megan Weaver, Ashley Weaver and Marcus Cade, Julie and Richard Pickens, Heath and Lauren Martin; 21 great grandchildren; sister, Hazel Williams, Buford; several nieces and nephews. Bernice was born in Buford, GA and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Buford School and Reinhardt University. After graduation she worked for Atlanta Gas Light, Allen’s 5 & 10 in Buford, and the Lumite Plant in Buford, retiring from Beck’s Accounting Service. Bernice was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion Auxiliary with 59 years of service. Bernice and Hayden attended all the national conventions for the American Legion allowing them to travel the United States in their red Volkswagen Bus. Bernice was an excellent baker and loved baking cakes and pies that were requested and enjoyed everywhere she took them. She was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Buford, where her family members helped start the church over 150 years ago. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-9456924 Share memories of Bernice at hamiltonmillchapel.com Snellville

Wendell James Willis

Wendell James Willis age 74 of Snellville, GA passed away on Friday, April 17, 2020. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kevin (Jennifer) Willis; daughter, Jessica Potter: mother, Etta Willis: sister, Susan Buford, GA Davis, brother, George Bernice Weaver (Dea- Willis; grandchildren, Madilyn, Brandon, Emma ton) and Sophia. He was preBernice Deaton Weaver, ceded in death by his wife, age 95 of Buford, went Joyce Seufurt Willis. The home to be with the Lord family has chosen cremaon April 17, 2020. A Fam- tion with a service to be ily graveside service will scheduled at a later date. be held Tuesday, April 21, Condolences may be sent 2020 at 2 PM at Broadto or viewed at www.waglawn Memorial Gardens. esfuneralhome.com. Tom Pastor Danny Newbern M. Wages Funeral Service will officiate. In lieu of LLC, “A Family Comflowers, please send mepany” 120 Scenic Hwy morial contributions to the Lawrenceville, GA 770Zion Hill Baptist Church 963-2411 has been entrustBuilding Fund (3390 S ed with the arrangements.

Puckett Rd., Buford, GA 30519) in memory of Bernice. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Hayden Weaver; parents, Nathan B. and G GDP 0422

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, april 22, 2020 ♦ A9

Think tank estimates coronavirus-driven state budget shortfall

By Dave Williams

Capitol Beat News Service

ATLANTA — The economic impacts of coronavirus could put the state government $3 billion to $4 billion in the hole during the next fiscal year, an Atlanta-based public policy think tank warned Monday.

Closing such a huge budget shortfall without massive cuts to state agencies and vital services is going to require massive federal assistance, more aggressive than the economic stimulus package Congress passed late last month, said Danny Kanso, a policy analyst for the Geor-

gia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI).

“If the federal government does not come up with a serious response Danny … it could reKanso ally have very dangerous effects for the economy and the government of our state,” he said.

In an eight-page analysis released Monday, the GBPI predicted that a sustained unemployment rate of 10% to 20% in Georgia – a good possibility considering that 18% of the state’s

workforce has filed unemployment claims in recent weeks – would send state income tax revenues for fiscal 2021, plummeting more than $3 billion below expectations. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

The report projects state sales tax collections to fall $300 million to $670 million, depending on how long businesses are closed to maintain social distancing.

Georgia is to receive about $3.5 billion of the $150 billion Congress earmarked for state and local governments from last month’s stimulus package.

But Kanso noted that mon-

ey is going primarily to help offset the costs of the state’s response to COVID-19, not to address the looming budget shortfall.

Making up the shortfall by furloughing state workers and making deep cuts to critical state services including education, health care and public safety would only prolong and intensify the economic downturn, he said.

“We can’t cut our way out of this crisis or borrow our way out of this crisis,” Kanso said.

Instead, the GBPI report recommends addressing the shortfall by increasing reve-

nues. A way to do that would be by increasing Georgia’s tobacco tax, currently one of the lowest in the country.

Kanso said raising the tax from 37 cents per pack of cigarettes to the national average of $1.81 would generate $575 million a year.

The report also suggests a deep dive into the generous tax incentives the state doles out every year to generate new jobs and keep businesses already in Georgia from leaving.

Even the state’s most popular – and costly – tax incentive, the film industry tax credit, could be reduced by raiding $2 billion in unused

credits an audit turned up in March of last year.

The General Assembly already has passed and Gov. Brian Kemp has signed the fiscal 2020 mid-year budget, which covers state spending through June 30. The GBPI report projects the state will end the current fiscal year with a $1 billion shortfall.

Lawmakers will have to deal with the lion’s share of the projected shortfall when they reconvene the 2020 legislative session to take up the fiscal 2021 budget.

The session was suspended indefinitely March 13 as the coronavirus outbreak took hold in Georgia.

Suspect sought after equipment, tools stolen

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

photo: gwinnett county police department

Gwinnett police said these two men allegedly tried to break into a home in unincorporated Buford on April 10.

Police seeking information on alleged would-be burglars

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County police are looking for two men who allegedly tried to break into a Buford home before being chased off by a resident earlier this month.

The men were caught on surveillance footage loitering in the back yard of the home on the 3700 block of Bogan Mill Road in unincorporated Buford at 5:50 p.m. on April 10. A man and a woman were inside the home at the

time. Police said a rock was thrown at the front door by one of the two men who had been seen outside the home on the surveillance footage.

The man who had been inside the home ran downstairs and confronted the wouldbe burglars, who then ran off and fled in a late model blue and gray two-tone Chevy suburban.

One of the suspects is described as an older white man who was wearing a blue Tshirt and either dark brown or cammo pants. The other suspect is described as an old

REOPEN From A1 therapists and schools for those trades.

Dine-in restaurants and movie theaters will be allowed to reopen next Monday, Kemp said. Elective surgeries that were put on hold to help hospitals tackle COVID-19 patients will also be permitted to resume.

Additionally, churches will be allowed to hold in-person services so long as worshipers keep their distance from each other.

Meanwhile, many other establishments will not be allowed to reopen yet. They include bars, night clubs, amusement parks and live-performance venues.

Public schools in Georgia will “absolutely” remain closed for the rest of this school year despite the gradual reopening of other activities in the state, Kemp said.

The governor indicated he may not extend the statewide shelter-in-place order again after it expires at the end of this month. But he also urged seniors and people with chronic health issues to continue staying home until at least through May 13, when the state’s public health emergency is set to expire.

As of noon Monday, nearly 19,000 people in Georgia had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that sparked a global pandemic. The virus had killed 733 Georgians.

Still, national modeling and local data are starting to show a slowdown in the number of positive cases, hospital admissions and deaths traced to coronavirus, said Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state’s public health commissioner.

On Monday, Toomey said Georgia is on track to see enough of a decrease in the rate at which the virus is spreading to likely be able to safely lift the statewide shelter-in-place order by month’s end.

By then, state officials working with volunteers and medical students should be well underway with a new effort to undertake massive statewide “contact tracing,” which will track in detail the web of interactions that those who contract coronavirus have with other people, Toomey said.

“This is the way we’re going to stop the virus,” Toomey said Monday. “This is the way we’re going to keep spread from oc-

black man who was wearing blue jeans, tan boots and a neon yellow shirt under a black hoodie.

Anyone who has information about the suspects identities or location is asked to call detectives at 770-5135300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. They can also visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. There is a cash reward from Crime Stoppers for information that results in an arrest and indictment in the case. Tipsters are asked to reference case No. 20-029271.

curring even as we begin to gradually open up the state.”

The governor also highlighted a push to increase the number of tests that can be done per day by local universities and the Georgia National Guard. More state testing should help reduce Georgia’s heavy reliance on commercial tests, which often come with slow result turnaround times.

As part of the testing push, Kemp touted a mobile screening app created by Augusta University that lets doctors diagnose a person’s symptoms via live video and, if necessary, formally refer that person to a nearby testing site.

The university has also started producing mouth swabs from 3-D printers to expand the availability of diagnostic testing supplies, Kemp said.

Augusta University will also host an operation center run by the National Guard that aims to tighten coordination between several state agencies on COVID-19 testing and information-sharing efforts.

“That will serve as Gov. Kemp’s unblinking eye on coronavirus,” said National Guard Adj. Gen. Thomas Carden.

At Monday’s news conference, the governor batted back skepticism from some health officials and experts over whether states like Georgia are ready to emerge from mandatory closures of gathering places like restaurants.

Kemp noted the phased-in reopening approach is meant to ease financial hardships for workers and business owners while giving health officials more time to ramp up testing and tracking programs, which will prove key once more people go back to work.

“These are tough decisions, no doubt,” Kemp said. “But we’ve also got to think about the effects on our economy and on these individuals from a mental health perspective, from a physical health perspective and literally for people being able to put food on their tables.”

The governor was backed in the decision by top state leaders like Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, who emphasized the challenge of balancing concerns for people who are losing loved ones to the virus with the possibility of many residents losing their livelihoods.

“These are measured, balanced steps,” Ralston said. “They don’t go as far as some would like. But I think they go as far as we can responsibly go at this time.”

Gwinnett police are trying to identify a suspect in a burglary where $28,000 in telecommunications equipment and $1,000 in power tools was stolen.

The burglary occurred April 3 at Infinity Construction, which is located at 4963 Austin Park Avenue in unincorporated Buford. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.

“During the early morning hours, a suspect can be seen on video cutting the fence and using ladders to climb over the

NOTE From A1 The special brew has been made and is settling and going through the maturation process right now before it can be ready to distribute, Reynolds and Mazzawi said.

Once it is ready for distribution, which may not be for at least another week and a half or so, frontline workers will be able to visit Slow Pour’s tasting room at 407 N. Clayton St. in Lawrenceville, show their ID and pick up a free six pack until the beer runs out.

“It’s our gift to those folks, to those truck drivers, to those

SCHOOLS From A1 Gwinnett was ranked No. 18. Eleven Gwinnett schools were ranked in the top 50 among Georgia schools.

“The Best High Schools rankings provide the most comprehensive, data-based information on nearly every public high school in the country,” said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News.

“Families can use this information to see how their local schools compare on graduation rates and state assessments, as well as academic performance by students who are traditionally underserved – those who are black, Hispanic or from low-income households.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, the methodology used for the rankings takes a holistic approach to evaluating schools, focusing on six factors:

CASES From A1 is followed by DeKalb, which has had 1,563 cases and 30 deaths. Dougherty, which has the most deaths from the coronavirus in the state (103 in all) dropped to third in total cases (1,456).

Meanwhile, Cobb County has had 1,230 cases and 60 deaths.

Hall County follows Cobb with the sixth highest COVID-19 case total in the state (756 cases and nine deaths).

The county of residence is unknown in 483 cases. State

barbed wire,” police said. “Once inside the suspect stole $24,000 in motors used for cellphone tower construction, $4,000 in wiring, and another $1,000 in construction equipment.”

Anyone who has information about the suspect’s identity is asked to call detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. They can also visit www. stopcrimeATL.com.

There is a cash reward offered by Crime Stoppers to anyone whose information leads to an arrest and indictment in the case. Tipsters are asked to reference case No. 20-027922.

nurses, to those doctors, to the grocery store clerks who are going in every day and putting their health and safety on the line so people can get their groceries,” Reynolds said. “It’s our gift, out thank you note.”

Reynolds and Mazzawi said they estimate the batch of Thank You Note IPA that they have made will produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 750 or 760 six packs.

Mazzawi said they are not, at this point, planning on making Thank You Note available to the general public.

“Our goal is to not provide it to the general public,” he said. “Our goal is to give it all away (to people in

specific groups). We don’t want to sell it at all. If that takes a week, if that takes 24 hours or whatever, our goal is if you’re a frontline provider, if you’ve been in the trenches so to speak, that you can come up and show your badge, get a free six pack and walk out the door.”

And they hope the people on the frontline of the pandemic will feel a little bit of relaxation as they taste the beer at home.

“The best thing we can do is to make them a beer, give it to them and give them something to look forward to and just give them a little bit of joy at this time,” Mazzawi said.

GEORGIA’S TOP-RANKED HIGH SCHOOLS The following are the top 10 high schools in the state according to the 2020 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools Rankings: 1. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, lawrenceville 2. Columbus High School, columbus 3. Davidson Magnet School, augusta 4. Walton High School, marietta 5. Northview High School, Johns creek 6. Lambert High School, Forsyth county 7. Savannah Arts Academy 8. DeKalb School of the Arts, avondale estates 9. Chattahoochee High, Johns creek 10. Lassiter High, marietta

♦ College readiness ( which measures participation and performance on AP and IB exams) ♦ Reading and math proficiency ♦ Reading and math performance ♦ Underserved student performance ♦ College curriculum breadth ♦ Graduation rates Rounding out the top five

schools in Georgia in the U.S. News & World Report rankings are Columbus High School at No. 2, Davidson Magnet School in Augusta at No. 3, Walton High School in Cobb County at No. 4 and Northview High in Johns Creek at No. 5.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va. was rated as the top high school in the nation.

officials are also reporting that there have been 977 cases, including eight deaths, in Georgia where the patient was not a resident of the state.

Statewide, there have been 20,166 cases of COVID-19 and 818 deaths reported to state health officials. The deaths account for 4.06% of cases seen in the state so far.

There have also been 3,885 hospitalizations in Georgia, which accounts for 19.27% of all cases seen in the state.

Health officials have not released figures on the number of people who got COVID-19, but later recovered.

The state’s health lab has processed 5,733 tests, with

1,025 of them being positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, commercial labs had processed 82,407 tests, with 19,141 of them being positive for the disease.

The state has not released a county-by-county breakdown of where tests have been performed.

Peoples ages 18 to 59 make up 62% of cases seen in Georgia, followed people ages 60 and older (34%) and newborns to 17-year-olds (1%).

The ages of patients in 3% of cases was unknown, however.

Meanwhile, women make up 54% of COVID-19 cases while men make up 44%. The gender of patients in 2% of cases in unknown.