January 7 – 13, 2021
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FOU N D E D 1991 • V OL. X XX NO. 47
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Virginia Gov. Northam Addresses Slow Covid-19 Vaccine Distribu�on Pushes All Health Care Providers to Deplete Supply of Shots; Only 2,000 Have Received 2nd Dose
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
At his press conference in Richmond Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam acknowledged the slow rate of vaccinations against the Covid-19 virus going on in his state. But his only solution was to spur health care providers to speed
up their work. “If there are vials in freezers, give out shots until they are gone,” he said. Falls Church recipients of the vaccinations so far report the sluggish nature of the distribution, which for most qualifying persons in this area are being made available at the Fairfax County Executive Building in Fairfax.
Meanwhile, new cases are surging to levels four times greater than in the perceived “peak” last spring. Dr. Gordon Theisz of the Family Doctors of Falls Church had his whole staff of a half dozen, in addition to himself, receive the first of two doses of the Moderna vaccine last week, one of two options available now
(Pfizer being the other). His report was that the delivery was uneven, but definitely not with the urgency that one might expect. He said given the amount of testing for the Covid-19 virus he and his staff have been providing, it is clear why providers in his position should be in the first wave of those receiving shots. It
also helps him to encourage anyone reluctant to receive a shot on the importance of doing it. Among other things, he can testify on the impact of side effects. To date, according to Northam, about 115,000 Virginians have received the first dose of the vac-
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New F.C. School Is Nearly Finished, But Reopening Next Week Unlikely BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
The new school set to replace the old George Mason High School in the City of Falls Church will be opened in the coming weeks, but in-person learning may not be allowed despite a recently announced reopening plan. Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan gave the News-Press a tour of the nearly completed facility Tuesday, showing off the bright, open feel that highlights just how compact and, in some spots, dingy the old Mason building was. “Opening a new school is challenging enough in and of itself,” Noonan said. “But doing it against the backdrop of a pandemic has made it all the more challenging.” The new front entrance will feature a legacy wall and kiosk on one side and a professionally done
graphic detailing the school system’s history with the International Baccalaureate program on the other. Just past the opening foyer is the new theater that boasts a stage that can hold 140 and an audience of up to 600 as well as the rear projection lighting system that has been used in Broadway productions such as Hamilton. Noonan hinted that the high school’s first performance would be about the mishaps and hijinx that we’ve all dealt with while trying to communicate virtually for the past 10 months. The new gym was completed during the time of the NewsPress’ tour, with Noonan saying it could host up to 1,500 people. Just beyond a large, glass section of the gym’s back wall is a patio area with a view of the football field. Noonan’s hope is that the gym
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THE THIRD FLOOR ATRIUM is an airy space with all kinds of seating for students — and the teachers in classrooms around the perimeter — to make use of during the school day. (P����: N���-P����)
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SEE STORY, PAGE 8
SEE STORY, PAGE 27
SEE COMMUNITY NEWS & NOTES, PAGE 10
Two personal trainers in Falls Church were able to use technology during the shutdown, and continue to work with clients over the internet to keep their businesses afloat. But both are a little uncertain about how long they will be able to survive.
Covid-19’s spread throughout the country influenced the City to scale back or outright cancel certain camps during its typically popping summer season, making “fun” one of the lesser known, but more persistent casualties of the pandemic.
There will be a Yard Sale at George Mason High School (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9 a.m. – noon. at Entrance one, on the Leesburg PIke side of the school. It will be completely outdoors.
INDEX
Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 News & Notes............................10–11 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 Crime Report .................................... 12 Calendar ........................................... 14 Business News ................................. 15 Classified Ads ................................... 16 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 17 Critter Corner.................................... 18
