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Richmond Free Press © 2020 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
VOL. 29 NO. 41
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
www.richmondfreepress.com
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Meet a protector of mental health care for children
OCTOBER 1-3, 2020
First 2020 presidential debate is derailed by President Trump’s rantings, falsehoods and interruptions of Democratic candidate Joe Biden
Madman Free Press staff, wire report
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
President Trump, above, interrupts as his Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden, right, makes a point during Tuesday’s debate held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
In a debate performance that left even his Republican supporters shaking their heads, President Trump stunningly refused to condemn racist, white supremacist groups. He also confirmed during Tuesday night’s televised presidential debate that he’s trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act that provides health insurance for more than 20 million and spouted wild, conspiracy theories about voter fraud in continuing to press a narrative the election might be illegitimate. His first face-off with Democratic rival Joe Biden was just as memorable for the constant interruptions and personal attacks that led the Commission on Presidential Debates to announce plans to inject more structure into the final two debates, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, and Thursday, Oct. 22. With observers later labeling the event a “dumpster fire,” “almost unwatchable” and “a disgrace,” the Cleveland debate on Tuesday showcased the nation’s leader in his best bullying mode. He refused to allow his opponent to speak and interrupted moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News almost as often, making it clear he preferred to aggressively interject angry and personal jabs that often overshadowed the policy questions. The two men frequently talked over each other, with the president interjecting so often — 10 times on one question —
that the former vice president eventually snapped, “Will you shut up, man.” Speaking directly into the camera to the millions who had tuned in, Mr. Biden went on to say, “The fact is that everything Please turn to A4
Struck by COVID-19, Gov. and Mrs. Northam are seeing state’s response system up close By George Copeland Jr.
As Gov. Ralph S. Northam and his wife, First Lady Pamela Northam, remain in isolation until early next week after testing positive on Sept. 24 for COVID-19, officials in seven different health districts in the state are working to connect with scores of people the couple may have had contact with in the days before their diagnoses. Gov. Dr. Danny Avula, director of the Richmond Health District that is coordinating the contact tracing efforts in the Northams’ case, said late Tuesday that health officials are using the Northams’ documented schedules to create a list
of potential people who may have been exposed, including during the couple’s separate public appearances at events in Fredericksburg, Hampton and Fairfax on Sept. 22. The first couple are seeing up
Northam
Mrs. Northam
close how the state’s COVID19 response system is working. Gov. Northam, a physician, has cautioned Virginians repeatedly to take the coronavirus threat seriously. He typically adheres to social distancing
Free COVID-19 testing Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Date
Location
Friday, Oct. 2, 1 to 4 p.m.
Eastern Henrico Health Department parking lot, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., drive-thru testing, Eastern Henrico
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 9 to 11 a.m.
A limited number of tests are available.
Diversity Richmond 1407 Sherwood Ave., North Side
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center 2903 Q St., East End
Appointments are encouraged by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-up testing will be offered while test supplies last. The Chesterfield County Health Department also is offering free COVID-19 testing at the following locations: Cornerstone Church, 10551 Chalkley Road, 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26, and Thursday, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Walmsley Boulevard United Methodist Church, 2950 Walmsley Blvd., 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Faith and Family Center, 7900 Walmsley Blvd., 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31. Testing is encouraged for those who have COVID-19 symptoms. The testing is free, and no reservations are necessary. Details: Chesterfield County Health Department at (804) 318-8207. The Virginia Department of Health reported on Wednesday a total of 148,271 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, along with 11,041 hospitalizations and 3,208 deaths. Officials reported a 4.8 percent positivity rate statewide. According to the data, African-Americans comprised 25.4 percent of cases and 27 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 29.8 percent of the cases and 10 percent of deaths.
precautions and wears a mask in public, a mandate that he issued statewide. In a statement late last week, Gov. Northam said that his positive test result shows that the virus is “very real and very contagious.” While Dr. Avula could not say Tuesday night how many people have been tested, found positive or gone into quarantine after contact with the Northams, he said that anyone who was within 6 feet of Gov. Northam or Mrs. Northam for more than 15 minutes in the 48 hours prior to their testing is advised to quarantine for 14 days. Those who develop symptoms, or feel uncomfortable about their possible exposure, should get tested for the virus, he said. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people typically develop symptoms five days after being infected, but symptoms, such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and fatigue, can apPlease turn to A4
Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press
Kayden Bass, 6, a first-grader at Fairfield Court Elementary School, cheers himself on for the answer he gave during his virtual class Tuesday. He is part of the Project Stay Connected/Stay on Point learning pod, where volunteer Arthur Gregory, a retired DuPont employee, works with students.
Church-based education pod opens in East End By Ronald E. Carrington
Dr. Patricia A. Gould-Champ’s ministry is supporting East End students and parents with learning pods as a daily education solution. Dr. Gould-Champ, founding pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church on Cool Lane, has a simple desire behind creating the pods—supporting the community with
a safe learning environment for youngsters with reduced risks of exposure to the coronavirus. The church’s program, Project Stay Connected/Stay on Point, allows the 16 participating students in kindergarten through fifth grade to do just that — be connected as well as to stay on point educationally. Students Please turn to A4
Mayor introduces plan to boost affordable housing program start to pay after seven years to be used to promote development of affordable housing that could For at least 25 years, City Hall has offered a tax rent or sell at lower cost. abatement program that has spurred improvements and City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th upgrades to at least 7,500 aging homes and apartment District, and Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, 6th buildings in exchange for seven years of reduced real District, already are on board with the plan to steer estate taxes. those dollars into the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Now that program is proposed to become a key Fund that provides loans and grants to developers source of revenue to spur development of lower-cost willing to include such housing. Ms. Robertson housing for families with a total income of less than The mayor’s administration stated that approval $68,000 a year and individuals with annual incomes below of this dedicated stream of dollars would cumulatively raise $50,000 a year. $110 million over 10 years to help the city reach its new goal Mayor Levar M. Stoney on Monday submitted legislation of developing 10,000 new units of affordable housing by 2031 to City Council that would allow the higher property taxes that Please turn to A4 owners of residential properties graduating from the abatement By Jeremy M. Lazarus
City property values on the rise in many areas The impact of that increased value shows up in the average value of a single-family home or condo. In 2000, the average value of Richmond residential property citywide was $93,000, city assessment records show. By 2010, the average value skyrocketed to $206,000 — a 120 percent increase that ensured an increasing divide between those who could afford the new
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Richmond’s land book of assessed values shows why affordable housing is now a big issue. In the past 20 years, the value for tax purposes of residential properties in the city — including single family homes and condos — has climbed $11 billion, producing wealth for owners and higher revenues for Richmond, but leaving many people unable to afford the increased cost.
Mr. McKeithen
Please turn to A4