May 13, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 13, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD & NATION

WORLD

Wuhan to test all residents for virus in 10 days after new cases emerge

Dems unveil $3 trillion COVID relief package and plan to vote this week

By Clare Foran, Manu Millions of people in Wuhan Raju And Haley Byrd will be tested for the novel CNN coronavirus within the coming days, after a new cluster House Democrats announced of cases emerged despite a a sweeping new COVID-19 strict 76-day lockdown that stimulus bill on Tuesday with was intended to eliminate a price tag expected to be more the virus from the central than $3 trillion — an amount Chinese city. that would stand as the largOver the weekend, six new est relief package in history. cases were reported in the The legislation, which allocity, the first in 35 consecu- cates more funding for state tive days. None of the new and local governments, coronacases were imported from virus testing, and a new round overseas, sparking concern of direct payments to Amerthat the infection could still icans, sets up an immediate be spreading in the city where clash with the Republicanthe virus is thought to have controlled Senate, where leadfirst emerged. ers have said another round In response to the out- of emergency funding is not break, authorities in Wu- yet needed. han will conduct city-wide Democrats released the 1,815nucleic acid testing over a page legislative text of the bill period of 10 days, accord- Tuesday afternoon and House ing to an emergency notice Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke issued by local authorities from the US Capitol after its and circulated by state run introduction. media outlet The Paper.

Pelosi took aim at congresNucleic acid tests work by sional Republicans who have detecting the virus’ genetic argued that it would be better code, and can be more ef- to first evaluate how alreadyfective at detecting the in- enacted aid is implemented fection, particularly in the before moving ahead with early stages, than tests which another relief bill. examine a body’s immune “For the families who are sufresponse, though the latter fering though, hunger doesn’t are easier to conduct. take a pause, rent doesn’t take a pause, bills don’t take a pause, Infants and mothers the hardship of losing a job or tragically losing a loved one killed in attack on doesn’t take a pause,” Pelosi Kabul hospital said, describing the crisis as “a historic challenge” and “moAfghan President Ashraf mentous opportunity for us to Ghani has directed security meet the needs of the Ameriforces to resume offensive operations against the Taliban, hours after separate atNATION tacks at a maternity hospital and a funeral ceremony As autopsy report shows left dozens of people dead. Ahmaud Arbery was shot At least 11 were killed in a twice in the chest, GBI Tuesday morning attack on a Kabul hospital, including investigates recused DAs mothers, nurses and two Ahmaud Arbery was shot newborn babies, Afghanistan’s interior ministry said three times, including twice in the chest, according to an Tuesday.

Shortly after, a suicide autopsy report obtained by bomber targeted a funeral CNN on Tuesday.

The autopsy, performed by ceremony in Nangarhar, leaving at least 24 dead and Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner Edmund 68 injured.

Donoghue, confirms what many assumed after video showed Pompeo travels to the black man’s fatal shooting Israel amid following a pursuit by at least coronavirus outbreak two armed men.

“This 25-year-old Black male, Secretary of State Mike AHMAUD ARBERY, died Pompeo departed for Israel of multiple shotgun wounds on Tuesday as Prime Minis- sustained during a struggle ter Benjamin Netanyahu eyes for the shotgun,” Donoghue annexation of parts of the wrote in conclusion.

West Bank and the coronaArbery suffered a “deep, virus pandemic continues to gaping, shotgun graze” to his sweep the globe. right wrist, as well as wounds to The timing of Pompeo’s his upper left chest and lower one-day visit to Jerusalem, middle chest, according to the where he is expected to meet report written April 1. Thirteen with Netanyahu and the Prime shotgun pellets exited Arbery’s Minister’s key ally in the back, and 11 more were recovincoming coalition, Benny ered from his wounds, the reGantz, has raised eyebrows, port says. with some suggesting it may The shotgun blasts also dambe politically motivated. It aged his right lung and fraccomes as the Trump admin- tured his upper left arm and istration has faced criticism scapula, according to the report. for what diplomats and anNews of the report comes as alysts see as a dearth of US the GBI said it will be looking leadership in the global re- into possible prosecutorial missponse to the virus. conduct by two district attorOne State Department of- neys who recused themselves, ficial told CNN that the trip citing links to the McMichaels, caught some officials, even according to a news release. those who work on Middle East issues, by surprise.

GOP split on whether to “It does not measure up,” back Fauci’s or Trump’s the official said. “You canassessment on not say under any measure that going to Israel is a prireopening economy ority. It is a softball. It’s going to be, you could say, a Republican senators are lovefest.” conceding that Dr. Anthony — From wire reports Fauci’s testimony warning

chip somodevilla/getty images

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is joined by Rep. Linda Sanchez, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and Rep. Joe Crowley for a news conference in the House Vistiors Center in the U.S. Capitol March 24, 2017 in Washington, D.C. can people, to save their lives, their livelihoods and our democracy.”

But Senate Republican leaders warned Pelosi that the new bill is dead on arrival even before it was formally unveiled.

“That will not pass. It’s not going to be supported,” said Sen. John Barrasso, a member of Republican leadership in the chamber.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said in a notice to members Tuesday afternoon that the House is expected to meet Friday morning to vote on the legislation.

The package is expected to cost more than $3 trillion, according to a senior House

Democratic aide. Three other aides also told CNN the price tag would be in the $3 trillion range. That would dwarf the stimulus measure enacted in March, which was more than $2 trillion and at the time amounted to the largest emergency aid package in American history.

The bill, which Democrats are calling the Heroes Act, would provide nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments, a $200 billion fund for essential worker hazard pay, an additional $75 billion for Covid-19 testing, tracing and isolation efforts, and a new round of direct payments to Americans of up to $6,000 per household, according to a fact

win mcnamee/getty images

Republican senators are conceding that Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony warning about moving too quickly to reopen the U.S. economy is inconsistent with President Donald Trump’s push to “liberate” various states and quickly get the country back to business. about moving too quickly to reopen the US economy is inconsistent with President Donald Trump’s push to “liberate” various states and quickly get the country back to business.

But the GOP is split about whether Trump should be more cautious with his own public statements or if it’s Fauci who is being too much of an alarmist, as Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky appears to be asserting.

“Surely the testimony is more nuanced than the President’s statements,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which hosted Fauci at its hearing Tuesday. Cassidy added the decision to reopen needs to be “data driven.”

Asked about Trump’s calls to “liberate” states, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, another member of the committee, said: “I think we need to follow the experts here.”

Others later pushed back at Fauci. “I think he may not realize that in advocating for extreme closure of things, the punishment that’s happening to our country, and we really need to get opening back up,”

Paul told CNN. Nevertheless, Fauci’s testimony warning of “serious” consequences if states move too quickly put some GOP senators in an awkward spot as they try to defend the President’s handling of the crisis while also ensuring their states are not placed at a greater risk by reopening.

“I think they both have a good point,” said Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate GOP leadership team.

Bigamy is no longer a felony in Utah A law effectively decriminalizing bigamy, when two people marry while at least one of them is already legally married, is now in effect in Utah.

For decades, bigamy was a third-degree felony, legally punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. The new law makes it an infraction, putting the offense on par with getting a traffic ticket.

The bill was signed into law

by Gov. Gary Herbert in March and took effect on Tuesday.

Polygamy has been prac-

PEOPLE

Disney fast tracking ‘Hamilton’ film to Disney + Disney is not throwing away its shot with “Hamilton.”

It’s fast tracking the premiere of the filmed version of the original Broadway production. It’ll now stream on Disney+ on July 3.

The Walt Disney Company, the musical’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller and Thomas Kail made the announcement Tuesday.

Miranda, Seller, and Kail, serve as producers on the film and Kail directs.

“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” Lin-Manuel Miranda said in a statement. “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

sheet released by the House Appropriations Committee.

House Democrats have pressed ahead with a new stimulus package amid stiff resistance from Republican lawmakers and the White House, who say they want to wait to see the impact of previously enacted relief measures before moving forward with any new package.

Without some Republican support, the House bill cannot pass in the Senate. But unSkateboard legend veiling legislation now gives announces return Democrats an opportunity to of ‘Tony Hawk’s showcase their priorities and outline their legislative vision Pro Skater’ for how to help a country in Tony Hawk celebrated dire straits as a result of the his 52nd birthday by andevastating pandemic. nouncing on Twitter the return of two of the most ticed in Utah by certain reli- iconic skateboarding games gious groups since before it “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” became a state and continues 1 and 2 are being remastered to persist to this day. for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. The games will be released Acting intelligence chief on September 4, and will has declassified names be packaged, publisher Acof Obama officials who tivision announced. The remaster is being handled by ‘unmasked’ Flynn studio Vicarious Visions.

Acting Director of National The entire roster from the Intelligence Richard Grenell original will be returning. has declassified a list of names Joining Hawk are Steve Caof former Obama administra- ballero, Geoff Rowley, Bucky tion officials who allegedly re- Lasek, Elissa Steamer, Kaquested the “unmasking” of reem Campbell, Andrew Donald Trump’s first national Reynolds, Bob Burnquist, security adviser Michael Flynn’s Eric Koston, Rodney Mulidentity, a senior ODNI official len, Jamie Thomas, Rune confirmed to CNN Tuesday. Glifberg and Chad Muska.

But it remains unclear why the DNI did not release the Singer Bryan Adams list and a senior Department apologizes for of Justice official told CNN social media post they do not intend to do so.

The official said the DNI has Canadian singer Bryan provided information to the department that it will review Adams is sorry about that.

The “Summer of ‘69’” to the extent that it can to ascrooner walked back a sosist in ongoing investigations.

The ODNI official declined cial media rant on Tuesday to say how many people were that blamed “bat eating” on the list but CNN has previ- people for spreading the ously reported that there were coronavirus, after it was “multiple requests” for Flynn’s widely slammed for its racidentity to be revealed between ist undertones.

The drama started on the 2016 presidential election Monday when Adams, 60, and Trump’s inauguration in posted a clip of himself on January 2017.

The revelation of Flynn’s iden- Instagram singing his 1983 tity is also among the matters single “Cuts Like a Knife.” ♦ In the caption he wrote under investigation by John Durham, the Connecticut pros- how he was supposed to be ecutor whom Barr appointed performing at London’s Royto look into the origins of the al Albert Hall that evening, Trump-Russia investigation. but because of “bat eating, The Wall Street Journal wet market animal selling, and ABC News were first to virus making greedy bards, report Tuesday’s declassifi- the whole world is now on cation news, which was also hold, not to mention the promoted by the President thousands that have suffered or died from this virus.” early Tuesday.

His comments sparked “Big News!” Trump tweeted immediate backlash online, Tuesday morning, referring to a story about the unmask- with “Bryan Adams” trending on Twitter Tuesday. ing list.

— From wire reports — From wire reports

GoFundMe for ice cream shop employee who quit after being harassed by customers after reopening nears $40,000

By Alaa Elassar CNN

A teenage ice cream shop employee who quit after she was bullied by customers in the coronavirus pandemic just got some sweet news.

Mark Lawrence, owner of the Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour in Mashpee, Massachusetts, launched a GoFundMe on her behalf and

MUST READ it’s already raised nearly $40,000.

The ice cream shop was forced to close its doors just one day after reopening on Saturday because its customers refused to follow social distancing rules. Some even harassed employees for making them wait — one of them, a 17-year-old

girl, quit.

“This past Friday, our opening night of the year, she was met with an unyielding verbal assault with some of the most vulgar and disgusting words hurled at her, these shouldn’t be heard in a men’s locker room, never mind directed to a teenager,” Lawrence said.

“In spite of this, she continued to work until the last

ice cream was served and then turned in her apron.

Asked why she didn’t tell me sooner of this behavior, she simply said she didn’t want to disappoint me or our loyal fans.”

“No one deserves this kind of abuse, especially a 17-year-old young girl, in a time when we as a country should stand united,” he said.

But after sharing the shop’s story on Facebook, Lawrence and his employees received an outpouring of support.

By Sunday, Lawrence had reopened. Now, customers were following the rules.

But Lawrence knew he had one more thing to do — take care of the employee.

“She is a 17-year-old young lady who has worked for me for the past three years and

has always been one of the most hardworking, kindhearted employees and a favourite of many of our regulars,” Lawrence said, adding she was planning to work as much as possible and save money earned for college this fall.

So that’s where the money will go — all donations will go directly towards the employee’s college fund.

A4 ♦ Wednesday, May 13, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.coM COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH

WEATHER WATCH

Some drugs require a long tapering period to stop

TODAY

77 56

D

EAR DR. ROACH: Would you please speak about the proper way to wean off of Paxil? I have been taking 20 mg daily. To wean off, I took 10 mg alternating with 20 mg every other day for one week, then 10 mg daily for four days, then stopped. After three days, I developed dizziness, nausea, fatigue, tinnitus and interRoach mittent “brain zaps.” I felt terrible. These symptoms did not resolve after six days, so I started back on Paxil, and symptoms were relieved within a few hours. My primary care doctor just said to “wean off slowly.” Could you be more specific so that others don’t have to experience these withdrawal symptoms?

— C.T. ANSWER: Paroxetine (Paxil) is one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, probably the most common class of antidepressants used.

Paxil has prominent anti-anxiety properties as well. All of the SSRIs, but Paxil in particular, can cause withdrawal symptoms if weaned off too quickly. Some nonpsychiatrist prescribers, especially general doctors like me, sometimes are unaware of how slowly this drug should be tapered off. Although you did have a taper, it was too fast for you, and in my opinion, too fast in general.

You’ve identified some of the most common withdrawal symptoms already: dizziness, headache, fatigue and nausea.

I have heard the very term “brain zaps” from others getting off Paxil as well.

Four weeks is a reasonable tapering period, but eight weeks or even longer is necessary in some people. A pill cutter, easily obtainable at any pharmacy, will be your friend. I’d recommend cutting the 10 mg pills in half, and take 15 mg alternating with 20 (alternatively, you could break the tabs into 1/4 if possible and take 17.5) for a week, then 15 for a week, then 15 alternating with 10 (or 12.5) for a week, and continue dropping the dose by 2.5 mg every week.

As the dose of Paxil is going down, so too might the dose of a replacement drug be increased, if appropriate, as prescribed.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was interested in your recent column on atrial fibrillation.

I have a problem I would like addressed. I don’t have atrial fibrillation, but when my pulse is taken at first the beats are strong, then they get weaker, then several beats are missing.

I have been to several doctors for different things, and none of them seem concerned about this.

What is the difference between what I have described and atrial fibrillation?

— D.B. ANSWER: Atrial fibrillation is often noticed by the patient as an irregular heart rate with no discernible pattern.

The beats sometimes go fast, sometimes slower, described as “irregularly irregular.” The diagnosis is confirmed by an electrocardiogram.

You are describing both a change in the strength of the pulse as well as some missing beats. Atrial fibrillation may cause these symptoms. Assuming you were checked for and don’t have atrial fibrillation, I would note that many people may have occasional beats that are early or late. Late beats tend to have a stronger pulse than early beats, since the heart has filled up more.

A perfectly regular rhythm is not common, nor is it ideal.

Some variability in the heart rate is a sign of a healthy heart.

Still, you should have had at least one EKG during symptoms to be sure there is not a serious rhythm disturbance, such as atrial fibrillation.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

10%

10%

20%

20%

40%

10%

81 60

80 58

10%

86 62

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 7:05-9:05 a.m. ............ 7:30-9:30 p.m.

MINOR 1:55-2:55 a.m........... 12:16-1:16 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS trees: High Weeds: low grass: High

LOTTERY Tuesday cash 3 Midday: 9-0-7 cash 4 Midday: 9-3-6-3 ga. 5 Midday: 8-3-7-1-0 Monday cash 3 Midday: 5-7-6 cash 3 evening: 5-9-2 cash 3 night: 8-6-6 cash 4 Midday: 2-7-6-2 cash 4 evening: 5-7-1-2 cash 4 night: 2-6-3-5 ga. 5 Midday: 9-3-0-0-9 ga. 5 evening: 9-0-9-0-8 Fantasy 5: 4-16-29-30-42

82 55

87 59

87 64

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) .... 840.38 Blackshear ......... (237.0) .... 236.95 Blue Ridge........(1690.0) .. 1686.55 Burton..............(1865.0) .. 1864.96 carters.............(1072.0) ...1074.34 chatuge ........... (1927.0) ...1924.76 Harding .............. (521.0) .... 520.39 Hartwell .............(660.0) .....661.53 Jackson..............(530.0) .... 528.72

Lake Full Yesterday lanier............... (1071.0) ...1071.79 nottely..............(1779.0) .. 1775.23 oconee ..............(435.0) .... 434.90 seminole...............(77.5) .......76.94 sinclair ...............(339.8) .... 338.50 thurmond ..........(330.0) .... 330.29 tugalo ................ (891.5) .... 890.33 Walter F. george.(188.0) .....188.41 West point..........(635.0) .... 633.44

TODAY IN HISTORY TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1940, British prime Minister Winston churchill gave his “blood, toil, tears and sweat” speech to the British House of commons as germany’s conquest of France began. in 1943, the german afrika Korps surrendered to allied forces in north africa. in 1981, pope John paul ii was shot and critically injured by would-be assassin Mehmet ali agca in st. peter’s square at the Vatican. in 1985, two blocks of philadelphia were destroyed by fire after police dropped an incendiary device on the headquarters of MoVe, a black liberation group.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: pope pius iX (1792-1878); Joe louis (1914-1981), boxer; Bea arthur (1922-2009), actress; Harvey Keitel (1939- ), actor; Ritchie Valens (19411959), singer-songwriter; stevie Wonder

(1950- ), singer-songwriter/pianist; stephen colbert (1964- ), tV personality; darius Rucker (1966- ), singer-songwriter; Barry Zito (1978- ), baseball player; lena dunham (1986- ), actress; Robert pattinson (1986- ), actor.

TODAY’S FACT: Mehmet ali agca returned to the Vatican on dec. 27, 2014, to lay flowers at the tomb of pope John paul ii, the man he had attempted to assassinate 33 years earlier. His request to meet pope Francis was denied.

TODAY’S SPORTS: in 1995, alison Hargreaves of great Britain became the first woman to scale Mount everest without supplemental oxygen or the help of sherpas.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “there’s an old saying about those who forget history. i don’t remember it, but it’s good.” -- stephen colbert

READER’S GUIDE

Gwinnett Daily Post editor – todd cline Main office – 770-963-9205

Who To Call

the gwinnett daily post invites your input. Here are some guidelines to help you communicate with us.

Subscription Rates: subscription rate is $99 plus sales tax for one year, limited delivery areas. call 770-3395845 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday to start your subscription.

Classified Ads: classifieds can be placed at the main office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; phone lines open 24 hours, seven days a week by calling 770236-9988. email: classified@ gwinnettdailypost.com Legal Notices: Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. the fax number is 770-339-8082. Reach the legal resource center at 770963-9205, ext. 1161 or 1162.

To Report a News Item: Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mon.-sat. call 770-339-5850. editor todd cline is at 770-9639205, ext. 1300; sports editor Will Hammock is at 770-9639205, ext. 1310. to request a photo, call 770-963-9205, ext.

1327.

Administration/Finance: Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon.-Fri. call 770-963-9205.

Delivery Problems: your satisfaction is our no. 1 priority. if we miss delivery, call our circulation department customer service line, 770-339-5845, or email the circulation department at circulation@gwinnettdailypost.

com between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Wednesday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and noon sunday. if your paper delivery is missed, we no longer redeliver on each delivery day. We only redeliver on sunday. all other delivery days that are missed, we will have this paper delivered with the next day paper delivery at the request of the customer.

Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

COLUMNIST I AMY DICKINSON

Grandparents struggle with COVID restrictions

D

EAR AMY: In February, my husband and I had COVID-19, and it was a tough struggle.

Our daughter lives two hours away with our only grandchildren, (elementary age), and her husband, “Eric.”

Eric is very “me” oriented; he’ll wear you down in a discussion so he can win.

He yells and screams a lot, but he’s never been physically violent.

We’re in a state that has a mandatory shelter-in-place.

I’ve talked to my daughter about a possible visit since we’ve been sheltered for four weeks.

Two days ago, my SIL broke our state’s guidelines and went kayaking with two of his friends.

What happens now? Do we refuse all visits, even though we haven’t seen our daughter and grandkids for a month?

The very last thing we need is to get this monster virus again — we’re in our 70s.

Otherwise our health is good, but neither my husband nor I have fully recovered; we’re improving, but not 100 percent.

Our careful plans were to go TO a safe place FROM a safe place. Unfortunately, we no longer trust our SIL to help protect us, and he’s possibly exposed his wife and kids.

My daughter refuses to see his behavior as alarming. She feels sorry for him because

he had a destitute childhood and he’s been cooped up for four weeks.

(The rest of us have, too!)

What to do?

Dickinson What to say?

Ghost them until there’s a vaccine?

— Recovering in the Pacific NW DEAR RECOVERING: You should not have any inperson contact with these family members (or others) until you have fully recovered, and medical personnel have declared you free of (or definitively immune from) this virus. Yes, you could possibly become reinfected by outside contact — as of this writing, there are some reports of people possibly having the illness more than once.

You could also continue to expose others.

Your son-in-law should not have violated your state’s guidelines for sheltering and social distancing (hard to remain distant sharing a vehicle or a kayak), but the way I read this, you and your husband are both the source and the object of more acute concern because of your current health status.

Yes, you will all have to wait longer to see one another.

In terms of your son-inlaw’s behavior toward his

family, I hope you will stay in very close touch with your daughter. Don’t attack him, forcing her into a defensive crouch. Always convey that you are in her corner. If your son-in-law is as much of a hothead as it sounds, she will need your support.

DEAR AMY: “Skied Out” described an unsatisfying ski vacation with cousins. I loved your description of how the guests had behaved while on this shared vacation: “They hit the four benchmarks of anti-social behavior: Stingy, entitled, complaining, and ungrateful.”

When I’m in a similar situation, I experience resentment (defined as “pre-meditated expectations” in 12-step circles), as well as self-pity.

When younger, I would’ve stewed over my hurt feelings and the unfairness. Now, I look at my metaphorical side of the street, call it my “dress rehearsal,” and determine what I’ll do differently in the future. Practice, practice, practice.

I’m all about preventing regrets if it’s possible. If that’s not an option, I divide the regrets into “livable” or “unlivable.” If it’s unlivable, it’s unlivable. Period. This gives me clarity, even if I must do something hard. If I can live with myself and the decision I make for the next day, month, year, etc., then it’s livable.

More and more, I remind

myself that I’m doing the best I can with what I know right now. I am not responsible for what I did not know, but once I do know or have new information, then I AM responsible (and still doing the best I can).

—C DEAR C: I’m reminded of the wonderful Maya Angelou quote: “I did then what I knew how to do.

Now that I know better, I do better.”

Practice, practice, practice!

DEAR AMY: “Mr. Nice Guy” described his new marriage to a woman whose teen kids ran the show.

Based on my experience and the experience of people I know intimately, the chances of his wife changing at this stage of her life are slim and none; so if he wants to leave this relationship guilt-free, he needs to get into counseling, invite his wife to join him, and if there are no changes in one year — leave.

—J DEAR J: I agree that the prospects here were, sadly, not good.

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.

put differences aside and channel your energy and enthusiasm into positive endeavors. don’t let what others do bring you down or stand between you and what you want to accomplish this year. look to the future with optimism and move in a direction that offers satisfaction and monetary rewards.

TAURUS (april 20-May 20) — listen, be attentive and try to get along with everyone. you’ll find it easier to get others to see and do things your way if you are kind and sensitive to their needs.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — don’t lose touch with friends. pick up the phone, set up an internet conversation or send someone you care about a gift in the mail.

Make a difference by offering a kind gesture.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — don’t let an unexpected change that someone makes ruin your day. Focus on your budget and limiting unnecessary purchases. How you conduct yourself will affect those close to you.

LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — it’s time to reflect, rethink and revise your plans. don’t let anyone force you into a venture or investment that isn’t right for you. Focus on personal gain, not on joint ventures.

VIRGO (aug. 23-sept. 22) — a one-sided situation will put you in a vulnerable position. Be direct and find out where you stand before you make a promise to someone who isn’t looking out for your best interests.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — concentrate on what matters. put your health and physical fitness first. looking and feeling good are the keys to prosperity. preparation, knowledge and experience will encourage success.

SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov.

22) — emotions will surface if someone close to you isn’t being receptive. consider the reason behind their feelings before you get upset or angry. a positive change will resolve the problem.

SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23dec. 21) — don’t be too eager to make a change. it’s best to bide your time, look at every angle and consider your alternatives. False information will be present.

CAPRICORN (dec. 22Jan. 19) — you’ll be torn in different directions if you try to take care of everyone’s demands. consider what’s important to you and follow through with your plans.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — stop letting outside influences take the reins. consider what you want and how you can move forward without jeopardizing your reputation or position. a change at home will help expedite certain matters.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — don’t reveal your plans. it’s best to be a good listener, size up your situation and consider how to make your wisest move. time is on your side.

ARIES (March 21-april 19) — your drive and determination are no match for anyone who competes with you, but they can also lead to conflict that can put a dent in your plans. Be considerate.

Sign up to get Gwinnett Daily Post breaking news alerts and daily newsletters at www.gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletters.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 13, 2020 ♦ A5

PERSPECTIVES

Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline,

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

LOCAL COLUMNIST|DARRELL HUCKABY

Corona Cleaning no time to say good-bye to life’s treasures

COLUMNIST|DAVID CARROLL

I

think they call it Corona Cleaning. If Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta, GA.” All were not, maybe we all will from this point signed by “Aunt Annie Lee.” onward. You know what I mean.

Annie Lee Day, who was not my We have finally gotten around to aunt at all. But she loved me like doing all those things we have been family, and I loved her. Mrs. Annie saying we would do for years — if Lee Day was the Porterdale nurse we only had time. and one of the most beloved people Well, boy howdy, have I had time. in that town. I was humbled to reI’ve had two months of time. I’ve alize that she had spent so much of had nothing but time since this her life remembering every special whole mess began. But for every occasion and event in mine.

Huckaby empty hour I have found an exThere were other letters — some cuse not to do those things that I that I should have thrown away had put off doing. years ago but didn’t and others with which Until Monday. Monday was to have been I could never part. the day I started clearing the basement and I found the registry from my mama’s fuattic and getting rid of all the stuff I have neral and, of course, I had to read through been accumulating since the beginning of every name. There were lots of names in time. I had good intentions. I really did. that book, and if you came to the funeral I started with a big plastic bin that was home when my mama died and I never under a lot of other big plastic bins down told you how much I appreciated your in my basement. I brought it up into the coming, thank you. living room so the television could keep me I found a ticket stub from the 1976 Cotton company while I went through the clutter. Bowl game between Georgia and ArkanI intended to make two stacks. One for sas. I wrote a book once, based loosely on the stuff that I would toss, the other was for that trip to Dallas. I was shocked to learn treasures that I just had to keep, for sen- that the price of the ticket was only $10. It timental reasons and for old time’s sake. seemed like a thousand in 1976.

Y’all already know where this is heading, I found some of my mama’s old pay stubs don’t you? from the Osprey Mill and was ashamed to One of the first things I found was the see that she worked 56 hours a week, three announcement of my birth. I’m not sure weeks in a row, in 1967. She made $2.25 I had ever seen that before. It was a small an hour. One week she only worked 40 item that I had owned literally all of my life. hours and made $80 that week — $2 an I was surprised to learn that I only weighed hour without overtime.

6 pounds and 6 ounces when I was born.

I say I was ashamed because I am sure I’m sure all those Winston cigarettes my she spent all that overtime pay on me. mama smoked while she was carrying me There were lots of odds and ends in that had something to do with that. By the way. storage box from my summers at Bert AdI have made up for lost time and have add- ams Scout Camp and some trinkets from ed about 220 pounds to my birth weight. the early days of my coaching career, too.

Obviously, I couldn’t throw THAT away. I had to pause and study every staff phoAnd there were also a few cards congratu- tograph and every team picture and think lating my parents on the new arrival. Had about the great people I was fortunate to save those, too. One of them was from enough to know.

Mary Virginia Wiley. I promise you; I would After a couple of hours, I had a great big never throw away anything signed by Mary stack of stuff to keep and nothing to throw Virginia Wiley. She was one of my favorite away, so I carefully put my treasures back people in the whole world. in the bin and carried the whole thing back There was a bundle of cards and letters downstairs to the basement. My kids can tied with a blue ribbon. I untied the ribbon go through all that stuff and toss it when and realized that the handwriting on each I am gone. envelope was the same, and there were I hope they read the letters and study more than 50 pieces of mail in the bundle. the pictures first, though. I hope they reSome were addressed to “Darrell Huckaby, alize that their old man really had a wonPorterdale, GA” and others simply to “Dar- derful life. rell Huckaby, City.” Others were addressed to me at my college address, and others — Darrell Huckaby is an author in Rockdale six weeks’ worth — were addressed to “St. County. Email him at dhuck008@gmail.com.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: EmAil: letters@gwinnettdailypost.com mAil: 725 Old Norcross Road Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046 the gwinnett daily post encourages letters to the editor on topics of general interest, but reserves the right to edit them for content and length. letters should be no longer than 400 words and must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number for verification purposes.

H

No graduation?

It could be worse

igh school graduations have gotten of those rules so we can put this joint in a lot of attention lately, because our rear view mirror and start changif not for the pandemic, another ing the world. group of 18-year-olds would finally get He led off with honesty, kindness, to “walk,” and accept their diploma and and respect, while giving detailed inthe accompanying cheers. structions on each of those traits. My Instead, many commencement programs 18-year-old brain started calculating, have been delayed or canceled. and I figured, this isn’t too bad.

So we are honoring the seniors Maybe he’ll stop at five imporwith yard signs, neighborhood tant Rules, and then we can go parades, or social media salutes. somewhere with a working AC. I feel bad for them. After all, they Nope. Eventually he started in have worked hard for twelve-plus on Number Six. It was either peryears, leading up to this one mosistence or perseverance, which ment. They deserve a moment. I seems to be the same thing. Either remember my moment, or at least way, I was sure he would stop at Carroll some of it. ten. That’s a nice round number.

Unlike the mega-high schools of But he was just getting warmed today, with hundreds of graduating se- up. In fact, I think determination was niors, my class consisted of only twenty- Number Eleven on his list. As in, he was four students. I proudly tell people that determined to make someone pass out I graduated in the top twenty. I then before he wrapped up his Rules. change the subject before anyone starts A dozen would have been fine, but no. asking questions.

Fifteen seemed about right, but he kept With only two dozen people in line on going. I’m pretty sure he got lost, and to shake hands with the principal, grab repeated a rule or two. Who knows? By the diploma, and smile for the camera, this time, we were daydreaming about my graduation could have been over something more enjoyable, like picking in about four minutes. But Grandma cotton or patching a roof. and Grandpa did not get all dressed up One of my classmates was pregnant to walk in, take a seat, and then turn when the program began. By the time around and leave. So the principal felt he finally finished, with Rule Number obligated to have a speaker on the pro- 25, her son had learned to walk. gram before we were shooed out of the Many years later, I was invited to be cafe-gym-atorium. a graduation speaker. My own graduaI don’t remember the man’s name, tion had prepared me well. First, don’t but he was introduced as a preacher. tell any jokes. And by all means, keep I believe he was somewhere between it short. I cautiously surveyed the class the ages of 30 and 95. You see, when for any expectant moms. Who could be you’re in high school, all grown-ups are sure, with those robes? just varying degrees of old, from kind I began with a promise. I told the seof old, to really old. niors I would be brief. “I just want to That cafe-gym-atorium was hot, and talk to you for ten minutes,” I said. So my fellow scholars were ready to dis- I told a story or two, offered some quick robe. Don’t get the wrong idea. We didn’t snippets of old-man advice, and wished have any sordid plans for that night. them well.

Well, come to think of it, there were a I was honored to be in the receiving few wild ones in that class. line as each senior walked up to accept The evening seemed to last forever. their diploma. From most of them, I got The visiting speaker opened with a cou- a handshake and a smile. One young lady ple of allegedly funny stories (because walked up to me, offered her hand, and “dad jokes,” then and now, always land pointed at her watch. “Eleven minutes, with a thud to anyone under 18). and twenty seconds,” she said, rolling As he launched into his speech, he her eyes. promised to share his “Rules for a ReYou may wonder if I was insulted by warding Life.” that. Absolutely not. I felt like I had This shouldn’t take long. Most of us completed her high school education, were pretty good at following rules. Back by sharing an important life lesson: If it in 6th grade, there were 44 of us. The sounds too good to be true, it probably is. herd had been thinned to 24. The 20 who were not among us, were not rule folDavid Carroll, a Chattanooga news anchor, is the author of Volunteer lowers. Only the chosen few were sweatBama Dawg, available on his website, ing under our gaudy robes. Those other kids were out breaking more rules, and ChattanoogaRadioTV.com. You may contact him at radiotv2020@yahoo.com, or 900 probably having a good time.

Whitehall Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

Okay, preacher man. Lay down a few

COLUMNIST|TOM PURCELL

T

ll-timed invasion of the murder hornets

he murder hornets don’t stand a chance.

We’re still amid a pandemic that has dragged on way too long, producing far too many bizarre, exaggerated doomsday scenarios on social media.

Some of our political leaders are enjoying absolute power a little too absolutely.

Conspiracy theorists claim Bill Gates, who’s probably an extraterrestrial, purposely spread COVID-19 because he wants to implant computer chips in us — or something like that.

And now the murder hornets are coming?

Also called Asian giant hornets, these ghastly bugs look like creatures from a 1950s horror flick.

Approximately 2 inches long, they slaughter honeybees by ripping their heads off, and their menacing yellow-orange noggins make them look like extraterrestrials — the way Bill Gates’ real head looks when he removes his human mask at home every night.

So far, these giant icky bugs have been spot-

ted in Washington state and Canada. Now the world.” that the scariest coronavirus stories are losing There was once great hope that in the age their edge, the murder hornets’ murderous of digitization and incredible computing ways offer a fresh round of stories, true and power, human beings, with access to limitless false, to scare the bejesus out of us. sources of knowledge, would become smartThese stories will surely be featured in the er — that our judgment would be improved news soon: by factual information, science and “Actual murderers are offended sound reasoning. that entomologists are demeaning That hope fell to pieces faster than their life’s work by naming a foreign the 1970s killer bee scare, which terbug after their profession.” rorized my otherwise placid childhood.

“The Council of Global Bug InteThere was once hope that this pangration accuses federal officials of demic would bring us together – that jingoistic propaganda and creating we’d collaborate more, and quibble antipathy for people from a particuless, to do what we can to address lar region of the world by referring to this great challenge.

Purcell America’s newest hornet as the ‘Asian But the polar opposite has happened. giant hornet.’”

The pandemic has done more to illustrate our “The murder hornet can fly 20 mph and kill deep divisions than to heal them. Many have more than 50 people every year, but when it’s used our powerful technology platforms to pan-fried and seared, it makes a tasty dinner scare and misinform their fellow human be— one with the potential to positively impact ings, rather than to enlighten them. the effects of climate change in America and It’s regrettable, but it’s so.

After two months under lockdown, we’re tired of worrying, tired of our politicians posturing, and eager to get back to normal.

I’d give anything to visit an Irish pub for a pint and some camaraderie. I long for a conversation about the meaning of life, car tires and how bad the Pirates’ losing record will be this year.

So I feel bad for the murder hornets.

You have the stuff of greatness, my homicidal wasp friends — your terrifying faces, your enormous size, your ridiculously direct name — but your timing is way off.

As states begin to reopen, our news outlets and social media fanatics are firing off new rounds of scary pandemic material.

If I were you, murder hornets, I’d hire a better publicist, fly back home and sit out your invasion for another year.

Tom Purcell is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist. Send comments to Tom at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 13, 2020 ♦ A7

Gwinnett’s health director: Act as if COVID-19 is everywhere — and as though everyone has it

that area and the local people are doing a wonderful job on tackling the increased numbers that they’ve seen there, just like Albany did with the outbreaks that they’ve had there,” Arona said. “I have every confidence that they’ll be able to (contain) transmission to that county and also expand testing like we’re doing here.”

The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments has held large scale testing events at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth and the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, as well as daily testing, by appointment, in Lawrenceville and Covington. They are looking at increasing the number of daily testing appointments, and possibly adding another daily testing site in the Norcross area.

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

With a new COVID-19 novel coronavirus hot spot emerging just north of Gwinnett County, and ZIP codes that have the highest incidence rates being scattered across the county, Gwinnett’s health director has a simple message for residents: no one should think there is any part of the county where people are safer from the disease.

That’s a message that officials from the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments have said for months as Gwinnett residents insisted they be told what part of the county the disease was showing up in.

But, with the public health state of emergency in Georgia approaching the two-month mark, it remains central to the health department’s message about why all Gwinnettians need to continue taking precautions.

“Act as if everyone around you is positive and as if you yourself are positive, and together, we’ll prevent the spread of this virus,” Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments District Health Director Audrey Arona said.

ZIP code-by-ZIP code incidence reports are now being released by the health district every Tuesday, and those rates show the number of cases per 1,000 residents, essentially showing the density of cases in a particular ZIP code.

The initial reports, however, have not shown a clear center of COVID-19 in Gwinnett. The top three ZIP codes from last week’s report included a ZIP code at the northern edge of Gwinnett; one in central Gwinnett that was west of Lawrenceville and immediately south of state route 316; and one in the Centerville area at the far southern tip of Gwinnett.

“It’s all over the county, and as the reports come in, those colors (denoting cases in each ZIP code) shift,” Arona said. “It’s good information to see, but the real message is it’s all over the county. It’s everywhere.”

Don’t forget safety guidelines as businesses reopen special photo

Dr. Audrey Arona addresses the Gwinnett Chamber about the COVID-19 pandemic during the organization’s April On Topic virtual presentation last month. Arona, the district director for the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments, is urging residents to not let their guard down and not assume they are safe from COVID-19.

Added to that is the fact that a new hot spot raising concerns among state officials is centered in Gainesville. Hall County currently has the 13th highest incidence rate among all Georgia counties so far, but all of the counties that have higher rates are in southwest Georgia, where the state’s first hot spot emerged.

A coronavirus hot spot in Gwinnett’s backyard Hall County had an incidence rate of 988.13 cases for every 100,000 residents as of Monday night. That’s a sharp incline in just one week. On May 5, Hall’s incidence rate was 890.24 cases for every 100,000 residents.

The county has a population of 206,349 people, and it has seen 2,039 cases of COVID-19 reported so far, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King has been tasked with working with local officials to tackle education and outreach, particularly in the Hispanic community in Hall County, as state officials work to tackle the outbreak.

Last week, King said a task force, Gainesville Against COVID-19, has been formed in Hall County to tackle the issue and increase information and education in multiple languages.

“Priority one is to find ways to communicate effectively the safety measures including practicing social distancing, wearing masks in public and avoiding large social gatherings,” King said. “This work will involve coordinating with local businesses, radio stations, churches and other organizations to stop the spread of this disease using the Hispanic community, which has been especially hit hard.

“This task force will focus on speaking to them in their own language.”

Do you use an intermittent urinary catheter?

Would you like to try a catheter designed for discretion?

“Before when I used another catheter, I used to always plan everything in detail. Now that I’m using the SpeediCath Compact catheter, I just go on and enjoy what I’m doing!”

- Neil*, SpeediCath® Compact Male user

Gwinnett’s incidence rate, by comparison, was 254.85 cases per 100,000 residents on Monday night. That is also up — although not nearly as much as Hall’s increase — from May 5, when Gwinnett’s incidence rate was 215.93 cases for every 100,000 residents.

Gwinnett has had 2,475 cases of COVID-19 reported so far, but it’s population of about 971,145 people is significantly larger than Hall’s population.

Hall and Gwinnett are in different health districts, but they are neighboring counties, which means Gwinnett has a COVID-19 hot spot emerging just over its shoulder.

Arona expressed hope that health officials in Hall County will be able to contain that hot spot so it does not travel south along Interstate 985, Buford Highway, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and other major north-south routes into Gwinnett.

“I think the health director in

Arona said health officials don’t want residents to start feeling comfortable enough to become lax in measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As businesses begin to reopen and residents begin venturing out to do shopping and other activities, Gwinnett’s health director stressed it is important for the community to not let its guard down.

Health officials continue to preach adherence to guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That includes practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing, using disinfectants to clean surfaces and people staying home if they feel sick.

“We’ve taught our children over and over that a good work ethic is you work when you’re sick and don’t be a baby, but nowadays, if you don’t feel well, stay home,” Arona said.

“That’s the big message. Stay home if you don’t feel well. Don’t spread this because not everyone has all the classic symptoms.

“Sometimes there are different symptoms and so we’re just asking people to stay home when you’re sick.”

Get a sample of

SpeediCath® Flex Coudé Pro

FREE

➣ Makes catheterization easier for men who have trouble passing a straight tip catheter ➣ Hygienic - dry sleeve prevents the transfer of bacteria during insertion

Call TODAY: 1-866-603-4487 Get a sample of

SpeediCath® Compact Male

FREE

➣ The most compact catheter for men ➣ Can easily fit in your pocket ➣ Comes with a bag that is optional to use

Call TODAY: 1-866-603-4487 Get a sample of

Compact Catheters ✔ Instantly ready-to-use hydrophilic coating - no waiting time ✔ Less mess - no need to add water or lube ✔ Blends in with everyday items - compact, non-medical design ✔ Covered by Medicare and most insurance plans ✔ Shown to significantly improve self-catheterization quality of life compared to conventional hydrophilic catheters1 SpeediCath® catheters are available by prescription only. Talk to your physician to determine which catheter is right for you.

SpeediCath® Compact Female

FREE

➣ The most compact catheter for women ➣ Around the size of a tube of lipstick ➣ Also available in Plus for women who prefer a slightly longer catheter

Call TODAY: 1-866-603-4487 Get a sample of

SpeediCath® Compact Set

FREE

642360-1

➣ Available for both men and women ➣ The most compact catheter with an attached bag ➣ Attached bag makes it possible to catheterize without transferring to a toilet

Call TODAY: 1-866-603-4487 1. Chartier-Kastler E et al. 2013 *Neil is a SpeediCath® Compact Male user who has received compensation from Coloplast to provide this information.

SpeediCath® catheters are prescribed for use by patients who require bladder drainage due to urine retention or post void residual volume (PVR). Before use, carefully read all of the instructions. Call your doctor if you think you have a UTI or can’t pass the catheter into the bladder. For more information regarding risks, potential complications and product support, call Coloplast Corp. at 1-866-226-6362 and/ or consult the company website at www.coloplast.us.

323083_10.5_x_10.indd 1

PM-10112 01.20

5/7/20 5:16 PM

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 13, 2020 ♦ A9

Gwinnett County looking to allocate millions in CARES Act funding

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County officials are looking at how to spend a total of about $188.2 million in stimulus funds that will are coming from various federal agencies to help deal with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus impact on the county.

The largest amount is $163.37 million that the county received from the U.S. treasury department to help communities and B businesses during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. The funds were allocated to Gwinnett as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. The funding is expected to cover uses ranging from public facility enhancements designed to increase social distancing, to funding to help small businesses and address housing and food insecurities.

A list of uses for the funding was presented to county commissioners Tuesday.

“What we’ve done is kind of broken out funding categories where we see immediate need,” Gwinnett County Grants Manager Shannon Candler told the commissioners.

“Just to refresh your memory, we did do a needs assessment here in Gwinnett County in the month of April and the key elements that have been identified in the community are economic assistance, emergency food assistance, rental assistance, health care, shelter and long-term housing, medical and cleaning supplies as well as emotional and spiritual care as well as prevention and education resources.”

Gwinnett has had one of the highest total number of COVID-19

special photo

Gwinnett County commissioners met in person and by video conference Tuesday to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic on the county. cases among all counties in Georgia, although the size of its total population means the county’s incidence rate — the number of cases for every 100,000 residents — has been lower than several counties in the state. Still, a shutdown of businesses because of the pandemic has taken its toll on the county.

The largest chunk of funding in Gwinnett’s CARES Act funding allocation, $58.5 million to be exact, is actually being reserved for future needs that have not yet been determined.

After that, however, the largest pot of money whose use has been determined is classified under “county government.” That

category includes $56.4 million, which includes: $30 for county government operations; $10 million for medical PPE and cleaning supplies; $4.6 million for technology enhancements; $3.5 million for public safety; $3.2 million to address issues COVID-19 has created for conducting elections; $3 million for enhancements at public facilities designed to allow for more social distancing; $1.35 million for planning and administration; $595,000 for food assistance; $100,000 community outreach; and $70,000 for health and wellness efforts provided the county’s community services department.

There is also about $19.5 mil-

lion set aside in economic assistance from the CARES Act funding. That is in addition to another $500,000 in CARES Act funds that will be provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program that will be coming to the county to help small businesses with relief.

About $10 million of that $20 million total will be in the form of grants while the other $10 million will be provided as loans to help small businesses, Candler said.

There is $11 million in CARES Act funding from the U.S. Treasury that will be used on hous-

ing and emergency shelter. That includes $5.5 million for shelter and housing, $5 million for rental and utility assistance and $500,000 for homelessness prevention.

There will be $6.8 million available for emergency food assistance and $6.14 million for nonprofit services including nonprofit assistance ($4 million); medical, PPE and cleaning supplies ($1.04 million); childcare ($500,000); transportation ($250,000); healthcare nonprofit services ($250,000); and emotional and spiritual care ($100,000).

There will also be $5 million for the Gwinnett County Health Department to help cover the cost of the public health response to the pandemic.

As far as CARES Act funding available through HUD’s CDBG program, beyond the small business assistance, there is $453,883 for planning and administration, $1.6 million for public facilities enhancements and $688,140 for public services.

There is also CARES Act funding coming from HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant program.

This amounts to $1.6 million, and covers planning and administration ($161,902), outreach ($81,122), rental and utility assistance ($971,000) and shelter and housing ($405,000).

There is also $157,000 in CARES Act funding coming from the Federal Aviation Administration to help with Briscoe Field.

Meanwhile, another $19.82 million in CARES Act funding is coming form the Federal Transit Administration to cover the impact of COVID-19 on Gwinnett County Transit.

OBITUARIES Athens

Jimmie Andrew “Jim” Johnson Jimmie (Jim) Andrew Johnson, age 84, of Athens, Georgia, formerly of Snellville, passed away Friday, May 8th, 2020.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Verlin Johnson; his wife, Coriene Johnson; sisters, Allene Johnson and her husband Kenneth, Dixie J. Strickland and her husband John, Penny J. Burton; his brothers, Donald Johnson and his wife Thelma, Weyman Johnson and his wife Dixie. Jim is survived by his children, Janna Johnson, Jimmie Johnson, Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Jo Johnson, and Jill J. Barnes and her husband Nick; and his grandchildren, Morgan Johnson, Callaway Johnson, Austin Barnes, and Ava Barnes; his wife, Jane C. Johnson; and her children, Laura Nolen and family and John Mullins and family; sisters, Ruth J. Smith and her husband Leonard, Brenda J. Robbins and her husband Maurice; his brother-in-law, Marvin Burton; and Coriene Johnson’s daughter, Kathryn Schendel and family; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was born on the family farm in Grayson, Georgia on April 25, 1936.

He graduated from Snellville High School and as a young man he worked different jobs and became an accomplished salesperson in the printing industry. In 1971 he opened Progress Container Corporation in Lilburn, Georgia. The company focused on high customer service and quality, then moved in 1974 to a new facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Along the way the business expanded to provide high graphics packaging along with industrial packaging, and the name was changed to Progress Container & Display.

The business outgrew the Lawrenceville property and in 2000 moved to its current campus in Winder, Georgia, where it is still owned by the Johnson family. Jim was always known for his high integrity in life and in business.

He believed in treating his

employees fairly and with compassion, and many today say that he was the best man they ever worked for. His faith in Christ was the cornerstone of his life. He grew up attending First Baptist Church of Snellville, where his father preached for several years.

Many people were influenced by his example of Christian leadership. All four of his children knew they had a special man as a father. He loved his children dearly, and led with his faith in Christ. His work ethic and faith taught them the values that would sustain them in their own lives. If you ask any of his children what words of advice did your father give, each would respond with “Remember who you are.”

In his house, that meant if you are from his family, you had a responsibility to do the right thing all the time (and don’t embarrass the Johnsons!). In 2013, Jim married Jane Compton Mullins and later moved to Athens, Georgia after retiring. They were members of Athens First United Methodist Church, and they enjoyed time with family and trips to Highlands, North Carolina. He loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs, playing golf with friends, and spending special time with family. His legacy as a Christian businessman and loving father and husband will last forever. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. The Celebration of life service for Jimmie Andrew Johnson will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, time to be determined closer to date of service, at First Baptist Church of Snellville, Snellville, GA. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, Snellville, Ga. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 12, 2020 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Tom M. Wages Funeral Home, Snellville, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/ Events/TributesAlzheimer sChampions?pg=fund&fr_ id=1060&pxfid=621409 or https://secure.nationalms-

society.org/site/TR/Events/ eneral?pxfid=624699&fr_ id=7541&pg=fund. The family has asked that due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and in an effort to keep their family and friends safe, please contact the funeral home by phone, 770-979-3200 or e-mail at wages-sne@ wagesfuneralhome.com if you plan to attend either service. A scheduled time will be reserved for you at the funeral home for the visitation, as well as a seat at the Church. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-9793200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Flowery Branch

Arthur E. Lord Arthur E. Lord, age 76, of Flowery Branch, GA, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Debora Lord; daughter and sonin-law, Rhonda and John Crawford; grandchildren, Wesley Crawford & his wife Allison and Hunter Crawford. Due to the Covid-19 regulations, a private family graveside Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. 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 770-963-2411.

her son, Tom Mitchell; her parents, Lonnie and Gracie Jobe; her brothers, Gordon (Toby) Jobe, L.D. Jobe, and Johnnie Jobe; and her sisters, Mary Mason and Imogene Rauch. She is survived by her daughter Teresa Cloutier and her husband Bill; granddaughter, Ashley Lioi and her husband Jared; grandson, Scott Wilkes and his wife Danielle; great grandson Mason Lioi; sisters, Carol Gilless and her husband Louis, and Cheryl (Sherry) Watkins and her husband Harley; as well many nieces and nephews.

Juanita was a native of Ripley, Mississippi and lived most of her life in Dunwoody and Lawrenceville. She attended Commercial High School in Atlanta and worked as a secretary for many years. She loved sewing, baseball, and attending all of her grandchildren, Scott and Ashley’s events.

A private family graveside will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Duluth with Rev. Tom Johnson officiating. Condoloneces may be viewed or sent to www.wagesfuneralhome. com Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, “A Family Company” Lawrenceville Chapel 770-963-2411, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Suwanee

Steven Vandeberg

Lawrenceville

Juanita Mitchell (Jobe) Juanita Mitchell, age 95 of Lawrenceville, GA passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020. Juanita was preceded in death by her husbands, Tom Mitchell and Buster Sappenfield;

Steven C. Vandeberg, 67, passed away after fighting the good fight against COVID-19 at Select Specialty Hospital - Midtown in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday, April 26, 2020. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held in Havre, MT at a later date when friends and family can gather to celebrate his life. His f

family has suggested memorial donations be made in Steve’s honor to Trout Unlimited or Pheasants Forever. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Steve’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at www.hollandbonine.com.

Steve was born on February 4, 1953, in Shreveport, LA, to Lois Vandeberg. He was raised in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1971. Steve was a proud member of the 1970 Blue Pony Football Team that won the State Championship his senior year. Following graduation, Steve attended Washington State University, majoring in Animal Husbandry. In 1973, he married Debbie Grant in Havre. The couple later divorced.

Steve worked for many years for Merck and Company as a pharmaceutical sales representative and traveled extensively for work. His career took him to New Jersey which was quite an adjustment for a native Montanan.

He returned to Havre for a time, then headed back to New Jersey before settling in Suwanee, Georgia.

Steve’s career with Merck eventually lead him to Merial, where he continued to work in animal health products and was the Director of Endectocide Marketing. In 2013, Steve was honored by the National Agri-Marketing Association with the Marketer of the Year Award.

He retired in 2017.

While working at Merial, he met Jenny Trudeau, who was the love of Steve’s life. They were friends for many years before they started dating in 2014. Steve was the first and only man she dated after the death of her husband in 2007.

They traveled far and near in “Beauty”, Steve’s Corvette, and enjoyed the precious time they had together. Steve and Jenny’s family enjoyed trips to Montana to fly fish and spent a Christmas together in Big Sky. The couple planned to marry, but Jenny passed away in 2

2018 due to cancer. Steve was adopted into Jenny’s family and remained very close to her children and grandchildren who referred to him as “Papa Teve”.

Steve was a good and true friend to many, always putting the needs of others first. He loved to fly fish, especially at the Bighorn River in Montana where he fished many times a year. He was a constant traveler, not only for work, but for pleasure. Steve vacationed in Europe several times, most recently for the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy invasion. He went to South America more than once and loved Buenos Aires.

Steve traveled to Africa last year to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and to tour four animal preserves in Kenya. He enjoyed pheasant hunting in Montana and South Dakota. Steve was a great cook and especially loved to barbeque. He would often gather his friends at his home in Georgia while he presided at the grill.

Steve also loved to tell a story, always making sure to include all the details.

He was very devoted to his Mom and they shared a love of cooking. Steve kept her memory alive by continuing to make her recipes and by sharing them with friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his significant other, Jenny Trudeau; his mother, Lois (Edwin) Erickson; uncles Walter, Alfred, Don, and Elvin Vandeberg; and aunts, Alice Bunton, Mary Ann Ness, Vivian Sullins, Charlotte Hertsgaard, and Rosella Gonder.

Steve is survived by aunts, Sharon (Frank) Bennett of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and Shirley (Ivan) Nelson, Missoula, MT; Jenny’s children, Laurin (James) Dunleavy and Thomas (Jill) Trudeau, all of Atlanta, GA; Jenny’s grandchildren, Mac, Eloise, and Parks; his cousin Jim Sullins of Belgrade, MT who Steve considered a brother; numerous other cousins; and many wonderful friends.Arrangements by Holland & Bonine Funeral Home GDP 0513

A10 ♦ Wednesday, May 13, 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: Flavorful

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE A11 ♦ WEdnEsdAy, MAy 13, 2020 IN BRIEF davis commits to Emmanuel Lanier point guard Zuriyah Davis announced her commitment Saturday to the Emmanuel College women’s basketball program.

The senior was the Region 8-AAAAAA coplayer of the year, an allcounty selection and a Georgia Athletic Coaches Association all-state pick as a senior. She also maintains a 3.8 GPA.

Gassant to play for Jacksonville state

Special Photos

Gwinnett grads (clockwise from left) Becca Erwin, Tristan Sumpter, Charlie Fountain, Driscoll Crabbe, Maya Donaldson and Abby Swain helped Birmingham-Southern College sweep the Southern Athletic Association titles this season.

WATER WORK

Six Gwinnett swimmers fuel BSC success

By Will Hammock will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett swimmers were at the forefront of another exceptional Birmingham-Southern season, even though it was cut short when the NCAA Division III Championships were called off by the coronavirus.

The Panthers won the Southern Athletic Association men’s and women’s championships again, giving their seniors four conference championships in four college seasons. That senior group included Gwinnett grads Becca Erwin of Duluth, Tristan Sumpter of Peachtree Ridge and Abby Swain of Archer. They were joined on the championship teams by fellow Gwinnett grads Driscoll Crabbe (Collins Hill), Maya Donaldson (Lanier) and Charlie Fountain (Parkview).

Erwin led the way with another

decorated season that included SAA Swimmer of the Year honors — her third straight year claiming the honor as the league’s best.

She also was the SAA Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.

The two-sport standout, who played four seasons of volleyball at Birmingham-Southern, won individual conference championships in the 100-yard freestyle, the 200 free and the 200 individual medley, in addition to competing on first- and secondplace relay teams.

Her 200 IM time of 2 minutes, 2.60 seconds was a new SAA open and championship record, and destroyed the old school record of 2:07.11. Her 100 free (50.37) and 200 free (1:48.25) times broke her own SAA and school records.

Erwin earned Collegiate Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America All-American, making her a 10-time All-American in her career, despite having her

final NCAA meet canceled. Heading to the NCAA meet, she was the top seed in the 200 free and the No. 2 seed in the 100 free, in addition to qualifying in the 500 free and with her 800 free relay.

Fountain and Sumpter were first-team All-SAA selections, while Crabbe earned secondteam acclaim.

Fountain won the conference championship in the 400 IM (4:02.98) and was runner-up in both the 500 free and the 1,650 free, capping a big freshman season at the college level. Sumpter swam on a first-place 800 free relay, and was fourth in the 500 free and the 400 IM. Crabbe, a junior, was second in the 400 IM (4:04.46) and seventh in the 200 IM. In the women’s meet, Swain was seventh in the 100 breaststroke and 10th in the 200 IM, while Donaldson was 10th in the 400 IM and 15th in the 100 breast.

Hebron Christian senior Winston Gassant will continue his football career at Jacksonville State University (Ala.).

Gassant, who committed Friday, was an honorable mention allcounty selection and a Kevin Maloof Award winner (for a player who put the team above himself) by the Touchdown Club of Gwinnett as a senior. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker ranked seventh in Gwinnett with 132 tackles last season, and also rushed 71 times for 400 yards and seven touchdowns on offense.

Akers-Kennedy chooses Manchester Mountain View senior Sean-Pierre Akers-Kennedy committed Saturday to the Manchester University (Ind.) men’s basketball program.

The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season.

st. Preuve commits to dean College

Birmingham-Southern seniors and Gwinnett grads (from left) Tristan Sumpter, Abby Swain and Becca Erwin won four Southern Athletic Association titles in their four college seasons.

Collins Hill senior JoJo St. Preuve committed Friday to the Dean College (Mass.) football program.

St. Preuve played linebacker and running back for the Eagles, and also competed for the wrestling team.

Lions, ranked No. 6 nationally, had high hopes for 2020

By Will Hammock will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

An exciting Region 6-AAAAAAA opener was on tap for the Peachtree Ridge boys soccer team on Friday, March 13.

The Lions were ranked sixth in the nation and sported an eight-game winning streak with North Gwinnett up next. But that rivalry match never happened. The coronavirus pandemic made sure of that, ending a promising season well short of a state championship push.

“I texted (the players) earlier and told them no matter what happens, with the national polls and everything we accomplished, you should be excited,” Peachtree Ridge boys coach Ryan Sutton said. “We were the highest-ranked team in Georgia in the national polls. Even if the season ends early and you may not get a ring for it, it’s something you will always remember, that you played for a team that was ranked the top 10 nationally.”

After losing 1-0 to St. Pius in the season opener, Peachtree Ridge finished 2020 with an 8-1 re-

vid Aguilar, who had five shutouts. “(Aguilar) was cut last year as a junior trying but, but he came back in to tryouts and really solidified his role in goal,” Sutton said.

Talented junior Nick Kosut already had eight assists and a goal in a playmaker role, returning after missing his sophomore season to play with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

He started every game in 2018 as a freshman for a Final Four team.

Kosut teamed with freshSpecial Photos man Daniel Romero (two The 2020 Peachtree Ridge boys soccer team poses for a photo. goals, four assists) for a solcord thanks to the winning the (state) opener. id tandem in the midfield, streak. It scored 22 goals “We’re not really rebuildwhile junior Dennis Lee, and allowed only four, the ing, but this was expected a defender turned winger, best in program history for to be a stepping stone. This tallied five goals and two that point in the season. year we only had four seassists. Sophomore forward The victory list already niors, two were starters, Stephane Shongo was the included triumphs over so we bring back eight or top offensive threat with top programs — five had nine starters (for 2021), seven goals and seven aswinning records — and a and we’ll have 10 to 12 sesists, but seven Lions had sweep of Brookwood (a 2-0 niors next year. We felt scored at least two goals. win) and Parkview (5-0). like we could be good this The unit also developed “We were really ahead of year, too, but we feel like a penchant for pulling out schedule this year in my we exceeded expectations close games, something that opinion,” Sutton said. “Last early on.” was a struggle for the 2019 year could have been conThe early defensive sucteam. That led to hopes sidered a rebuilding year, cess, from an outside perof a deep postseason run even though we made the spective, was surprising, Peachtree Ridge’s Dennis Lee makes a pass during a game that didn’t get to happen. playoffs. I don’t think we too. Three of the back four this season.

“Honestly, I think we were expected to make the graduated off last year’s would have been able to playoffs last year or hang team, but junior Amal Pa- leb Thomas, Rio Onwu- were impressive in front contend (for a state title) around with Lakeside in tel and sophomores Ka- mere and Andrew Lucisano of a senior goalkeeper, Da- this season,” Sutton said.