Keep Us Safe Virginia

On May 9, 2020 Me Leonor from the Richmond Times Dispatch reported on the Virginia data was missing the mark (link below). Within the reporting, we learned that John Hopkins Expert Nuzzo said she is troubled by states like Virginia that are lumping together antibody tests with more closely regulated diagnostic tests. She said the mixing of the two types of tests yields a murkier picture of the spread of COVID-19. Mel joins the show to talk more. On May 14, 20120 the nation heard this reporting that was amplified by The Atlantic (link below) and the next morning a Virginia Coalition to Oppose the Reopening held a press conference. This episode includes the statements from the advocates and workers. Finally, Dr. Julian Hayter, Associate Professor at University of Richmond and author of The Dream Is Lost: Voting Rights and the Politics of Race in Richmond, Virginia, joins the show to add a historical context on the continuance of political choices that do NOT center the most vulnerable in COVID in the city. Articles from the episode and to continue the convo: Leonor RTD: https://www.richmond.com/special-report/coronavirus/virginia-misses-key-marks-on-virus-testing-as-leaders-eye-reopening/article_021e12c6-6d20-5030-9068-4caaeda495f7.html The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/covid-19-tests-combine-virginia/611620/ VA Coalition Press Conference: https://conta.cc/3fQNi2A Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Opposition: https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/black-caucus-says-it-opposes-gov-northams-plan-to-reopen-virginia-friday/ Michael Paul Williams RTD: VLBC: https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/black-caucus-says-it-opposes-gov-northams-plan-to-reopen-virginia-friday/ Presser: https://conta.cc/3fQNi2A RTD: https://www.richmond.com/special-report/coronavirus/virginia-misses-key-marks-on-virus-testing-as-leaders-eye-reopening/article_021e12c6-6d20-5030-9068-4caaeda495f7.html The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/covid-19-tests-combine-virginia/611620/ MPW RTD: https://www.richmond.com/news/local/central-virginia/williams-virginia-is-divided-about-reopening-this-pandemic-is-exploiting-our-divisions/article_70282672-dcf1-56b9-8ab4-8dde5edfe007.html