May 20, 2020 — Gwinnett Daily Post

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 20, 2020 ♦ A3

WORLD & NATION

WORLD

India and Bangladesh brace for the strongest storm ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal

All states will be partially reopened by today despite COVID-19 rates rising

By Christina Maxouris Millions of people in In- And Jason Hanna dia and Bangladesh are in CNN the path of a cyclone which

By Wednesday, every US is due to make landfall in state will have begun lifting less than 36 hours, bringing measures enacted weeks ago damaging winds and heavy to curb the spread of coronarain to a region already strugvirus — though daily case gling with the coronavirus rates still are rising in parts pandemic. of the country.

Super Cyclone Amphan The last state to lift some became the strongest storm restrictions will be Connectiever recorded in the Bay of cut, which is set Wednesday to Bengal on Monday night, allow outdoor dining spaces, after intensifying with susoffices, retail stores and malls, tained wind speeds of up to museums and zoos to reopen 270 kilometers per hour (165 with restrictions. miles per hours), according The state hadn’t shut down to data from the US Joint some services or businesses Typhoon Warning Center. that other states did, such as Amphan has weakened parks or outdoor construcslightly since, but the storm tion.

But Gov. Ned Lamont is still the equivalent of a acknowledged the financial Category 3 Atlantic hurricane, with winds speeds up costs of the restrictions the state did have. to 185 kph (115 mph).

“I’m afraid there could be The US Pacific Disaster a sea change,” he told CNN’s Center (PDC) said up to 33.6 “New Day” on Tuesday, when million people in India could asked whether he calculated potentially be exposed to the how many small businesses storm’s winds, while a maximight not be able to recover. mum of 5.3 million could be “We’ll see whether people exposed in Bangladesh. The feel comfortable going back PDC’s estimate is based on to restaurants.

Maybe there data from the Joint Typhoon will be more takeout. The Warning Center. world will change.” from some parts of China backs coronavirus thePictures country are now reminisinvestigation but says it cent of pre-pandemic times, with Americans venturing out should wait until to parks to soak in the spring pandemic is contained sunshine, visiting beaches and gathering — often unChinese President Xi Jinmasked — in open bars and ping said he supports calls restaurants. for an investigation into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic at a key summit Monday, but insisted that any NATION inquiry should wait until the Michael Flynn case virus is contained.

Xi spoke at the World Health now set to linger Assembly after more than 100 in court into July countries backed a resolution calling for an independent inFormer national securiquiry into the pandemic, which ty adviser Michael Flynn on has so far claimed more than Tuesday asked the DC Circuit 300,000 lives globally.

Court of Appeals to step into The president defended his his still-lingering criminal country at the annual meeting case, nearly two weeks afof the World Health Organi- ter the Justice Department zation (WHO), saying Bei- moved to dismiss the charge jing had acted transparently against him. about the origins of the virus, The move Tuesday afterwhich was first detected late noon came at roughly the last year in the central Chisame time that Judge Emnese city of Wuhan. met Sullivan, who has overseen Flynn’s criminal case Two Pakistani women in district court, scheduled murdered in so-called a hearing for July 16 on the honor killing after a controversial request.

Even after the Justice Deleaked video circulates partment said two weeks ago it was dropping Flynn’s case, Two women in Pakistan Sullivan hasn’t yet dismissed have been murdered in a soit. Instead, he appointed a called “honor killing” after third-party lawyer to presa video showing them kissing a man circulated online. ent legal arguments against The cousins, aged 22 and dismissing the case and to 24, were shot and buried weigh whether Flynn could on May 14 in a remote vil- be tried for perjury for maklage in Pakistan’s North Wa- ing conflicting statements ziristan province, according under oath.

Sullivan appears to be to police officer Muhammad weighing whether he must Nawaz Khan.

Khan said the father of dismiss Flynn’s guilty plea one of the victims and the at the Justice Department’s other victim’s brother were direction, or could sentence arrested Sunday and con- Flynn, and whether he should fessed to killing the women. hold him in contempt of court.

The leaked mobile phone Texas church cancels video, in which the women appeared is a year old, but masses following death surfaced on social media this month, sparking the fam- of a possibly COVID-19 ily’s ire and decision to kill positive priest the women, said Khan. The A church in Houston has footage shows a young man kissing the two women on canceled mass indefinitely afthe lips, while a third wom- ter one of its priests died and an laughs alongside them. five others subsequently tested The third woman’s life is positive for the coronavirus.

The Archdiocese of Galvesnot believed to be in danger, ton-Houston confirmed the Khan said.

— From wire reports death of Father Donnell Kirch-

yana paskova/getty images

People traverse the Seaside Heights boardwalk as the state begins to reopen beaches and boardwalks amid the novel coronavirus pandemic on May 16, 2020 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he is willing and ready to bring back social distancing rules if he begins to see a spike in cases in the state. “If we have to pull the brakes we will do that.”

Yet as of Tuesday, at least 17 states have recorded a clear upward trend of average new daily cases — a rise of at least 10% — over the past seven days, according to an analysis based on data from Johns Hopkins University.

Only 16 states’ average new daily cases dropped more than 10%. Some public health experts say declining case rates should be one guide for figuring when states should relax social distancing restrictions.

So far, more than 1.51 million people in the United States have been infected and at least

90,432 have died, according to Johns Hopkins.

Just how loosened restrictions will impact coronavirus cases won’t be evident for a while.

Experts have said it may take weeks to begin seeing the effects of more people being out and about. And public health officials warned those effects may translate to thousands more deaths across the country and a second spike of cases.

Reopenings appear to have the momentum for now, including, slowly, for sports without

a crowd in attendance. The Belmont Stakes will be held June 20, officials said Tuesday. That means horse racing’s Triple Crown will start with what traditionally is the third leg, because the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes were moved to later this year.

Steps that governments did take to shut parts of the economy to slow the virus led to soaring unemployment — more than 36 million people have filed for unemployment since the middle of March. to a source familiar with the Vice President’s meeting on Capitol Hill.

Leaving the Senate floor and after meeting with Pence on Tuesday, McConnell wouldn’t respond to questions about whether there’s any desire for another rescue package.

EasyJet hackers stole data on 9 million customers saUl loeB/aFp/getty images

Hackers have stolen the

PEOPLE

‘Sesame Street’ to host a second special coronavirus town hall CNN is partnering with “Sesame Street” for a second special town hall about coronavirus, focused on kids and parents.

“The ABCs of Covid 19: A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Parents” will air on Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. ET and tackle issues such as summer safety, play dates, schooling and how kids and families around the world are creatively coping during these challenging times.

The 60-minute town hall will feature experts and “Sesame Street” characters — including Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Rosita and Grover — answering questions submitted by families.

Ken Osmond, Eddie Haskell on ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ dies at age 76 Ken Osmond, an actor best known for his role as troublemaker Eddie Haskell on “Leave It to Beaver,” has died, his rep Bonnie Vent confirmed to CNN. “He was an incredibly kind and wonderful father,” his son Eric said in a statement Vent provided to CNN. “He had his family gathered around him when he passed. He was loved and will be very missed.”

Osmond’s former partner with the Los Angeles Police Department, Henry Lane, told CNN that Osmond died Monday morning at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Shadow Hills, California.

No cause of death was given, though Lane said the actor had been in ill health for some time.

Osmond, 76, played the iconic character, who was a frequent tormentor of Theodore “the Beaver” Cleaver, for the duration of the TV series, which ran from 1957-1963.

Magic Johnson will provide $100M to fund loans to businesses owned by minorities

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Repub- data of millions of EasyJet lican, said Tuesday that he does not currently see a need for customers, including thouMagic Johnson may no another relief package. sands of credit card num- longer be playing in the NBA,

ner, a 79-year-old priest who worked at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, according to a statement issued Monday by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

It’s unknown what specifically caused the priest’s May 13 death, the Archdiocese said, and “it is not clear” if Kirchner had been tested for COVID-19. But within the following week, five others he lived with tested positive for the virus.

Mass was canceled indefinitely.

At Houston’s Holy Cross Chapel, two of the priests who later tested positive had “been active in celebrating public Masses at Holy Ghost since May 2nd,” when the church reopened, Zuniga said.

Both the parish and archdiocese have encouraged members who have attended Mass since the reopening to monitor their health symptoms and be tested for COVID-19.

bers, the budget airline said in a statement on Tuesday.

A “sophisticated source” had accessed the email address and travel details of approximately 9 million customers, and the credit card details of 2,208, the company said.

EasyJet did not say when the attack took place. It said it was contacting all customers affected to offer support, and was working with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and National Cyber Security Centre.

EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren apologized to customers, and he cited the coronavirus pandemic as a possible incentive for hackers.

“Since we became aware of the incident, it has become clear that owing to COVID-19 there is heightened concern about personal data being used for online scams,” Lundgren said. “As a result, and on the recommendation of the ICO, we are contacting those customers whose travel information was accessed and we are advising them to be extra vigilant, particularly if they receive unsolicited communications.”

— From staff reports

but the Hall of Fame member is still making valuable assists.

Johnson announced that EquiTrust Life Insurance Co., of which he owns a majority, is providing $100 million in capital to fund federal loans for minority and women business owners who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

EquiTrust will work with MBE Capital Partners, a lender that specializes in assetbased loans for minorityowned small businesses, to distribute the loans through the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program.

The loans are aimed at supporting people of color and women who operate businesses in underserved communities, according to a news release.

“These are incredible businesses, small businesses, that have been the pillar of our community that also employ a lot of black and brown people in our community,” Johnson said Sunday on MSNBC. “... We wanted to make sure that minorityowned businesses got small business loans through the PPP program.”

— From wire reports

ring to the containers designed ing gas. for whipped cream but often “It is clear to us that the used as a recreational drug. level of nitrous oxide is very high in places where there are How the nitrous oxide penguins — and thereby guano — and vice versa, lower in is produced places where there is none,” When these penguins poop, Elberling said in a statement.

There are some climate confueled by a diet of fish, squid cerns, too. and krill, nitrogen is released On their own, these dropfrom their feces into the ground. pings and their emissions aren’t The bacteria in the soil then converts the nitrogen into ni- enough to impact Earth’s overtrous oxide — a greenhouse gas all energy budget, Elberling commonly known as laugh- said. But the research does show how penguins influence

their environments, which is especially significant as the colonies grow.

“A future expansion of penguins into newly available ice-free polar coastal areas may therefore markedly increase the local (greenhouse gas) budget,” the study says.

Further research may also develop a deeper understanding of how the droppings affect the Earth and its atmosphere, which could help the fight against greenhouse gases, Elberling said.

itol Hill are pumping the brakes on new coronavirus stimulus spending days after House Democrats pushed forward with a sweeping relief package, underscoring a deep partisan divide as the nation grapples with the pandemic.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said Tuesday that he does not currently see a need for another relief package, telling CNN there’s been no change in his posture despite meeting earlier in the day with Vice President Mike Pence and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about the economy.

“I don’t see the need right now,” he said of another package. McCarthy said they talked about the economy, the number of states opening back up and progress in testing.

Asked if there’s been a change in his posture against moving now on another relief package, he replied, “No.” Pence planned to discuss “economic impacts of the Republicans pump coronavirus” during his meetbrakes on new COVID ing with Mnuchin, McCarthy and Senate Majority Leadstimulus spending er Mitch McConnell earlier Top Republicans on Cap- Tuesday morning, according

Antarctic penguins release an extreme amount of laughing gas in poop

By Leah Asmelash CNN

Laughing gas isn’t just something they give you at the dentist. It also comes out of penguin poop.

How do we know this, you’re surely wondering? Well, a new study says just that.

Published in the journal “Science of the Total Environment,” the study examined the effects of a King Penguin colony’s activity on soil greenhouse gas fluxes in South

MUST READ Georgia — a sub-Antarctic island just north of Antarctica.

One finding in particular was notably unique — penguin poop, also known as “guano,” produces extremely high levels of nitrous oxide.

It’s the chemical known to most as laughing gas.

“It is truly intense,” said Bo Elberling, an author of the study. He noted it’s not an insignificant amount, either — the emissions measure

about 100 times more than a recently fertilized Danish field. There was enough emitted nitrous, in fact, that one researcher went “completely cuckoo,” while “nosing about in guano for several hours,” Elberling said.

“The small nitrous oxide cylinders that you see lying in and floating around Copenhagen are no match for this heavy dose, which results from a combination of nitrous oxide with hydrogen sulphide and other gases,” he added, refer-

A4 ♦ Wednesday, May 20, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.coM COLUMNIST I KEITH ROACH

WEATHER WATCH

Don’t count portable oxygen as protection from virus

D

EAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old man with severe COPD who is on oxygen 24/7. I use a portable oxygen generator when I need to go to the store or for medical appointments.

Does the oxygen protect me from getting virus or flu germs, or is it Roach more likely I will inhale them with the air and deliver it to me in my oxygen? I go out seldom and try to practice social distancing when I do. I wear latex gloves but can’t wear a mask because of the cannula.

— J.T.D. ANSWER: Oxygen concentrators work by utilizing the unique characteristics of a mineral called zeolite. Under pressure from a compressor, the nitrogen in the atmosphere is adsorbed onto the zeolite pellets in the concentrator.

The resultant gas is highly concentrated oxygen, and is delivered to the patient at the prescribed concentration, while the nitrogen is vented to the atmosphere when the pressure in the compressor is released.

If there are virus particles in the air, they are associated with liquid, ranging from large droplets to very small ones. Very small droplets can remain in the air for long periods of time (hours). Some viruses, such as measles, are able to remain infectious in the air for many hours, while others are more associated with larger droplets and are infectious for a much shorter time in the air. If the infectious particles are in the air, they can theoretically be passed to you through the concentrator or directly through the air that is also inhaled through the mouth and nose.

Thus, with or without an oxygen concentrator, it is possible to be infected by someone close by, especially one who is coughing, which expels large amounts of infectious particles on both large and small droplets. That’s why the distancing of 6 feet or more is helpful in reducing infection rates.

However, severe COPD is a major risk factor for bad outcomes in respiratory infections, such as influenza or coronavirus, which is why staying away from potentially infectious people is so important.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has an enlarged prostate. Our daughter suggested he eat avocados every day (at least 1/2 of one every day). He has been doing this for quite some time now, and has had no problem at all. We believe it has helped and would like your opinion as to whether the avocados have anything to do with helping him. He also takes one tamsulosin HCL 0.4 mg every night.

— C.R. ANSWER: Avocados naturally contain a substance called beta-sitosterol. In a review, using beta-sitosterol improved urine flow rates and prostate symptoms. So, there is some evidence that there may be benefit from avocados.

Avocados are generally healthy, and a half an avocado a day is unlikely to cause any overall health problems.

Given his success — along with tamsulosin, a standard medication therapy — I see no reason to stop.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible.

Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

TODAY

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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 .................................12:06-2:06 p.m.

MINOR 5:31-6:31 a.m. ............ 6:46-7:46 p.m.

POLLEN COUNTS trees: low Weeds: low grass: low

LOTTERY Wednesday cash 3 Midday: 8-7-9 cash 4 Midday: 9-3-5-6 ga. 5 Midday: 3-4-0-0-8 Tuesday cash 3 Midday: 2-4-7 cash 3 evening: 3-6-1 cash 3 night: 6-8-3 cash 4 Midday: 0-7-1-1 cash 4 evening: 9-8-6-2 cash 4 night: 5-5-0-5 ga. 5 Midday: 4-9-7-4-0 ga. 5 evening: 7-4-5-1-3 Fantasy 5: 15-16-22-27-40

81 63

81 62

84 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) .... 840.65 Blackshear ......... (237.0) .... 236.99 Blue Ridge........(1690.0) .. 1686.54 Burton..............(1865.0) ...1865.13 carters.............(1072.0) ...1071.45 chatuge ........... (1927.0) .. 1925.71 Harding .............. (521.0) .... 520.61 Hartwell .............(660.0) .....661.73 Jackson..............(530.0) .... 528.60

Lake Full Yesterday lanier............... (1071.0) ...1071.53 nottely..............(1779.0) ...1776.74 oconee ..............(435.0) .... 434.85 seminole...............(77.5) ....... 77.27 sinclair ...............(339.8) .... 338.78 thurmond ..........(330.0) .... 330.59 tugalo ................ (891.5) .... 890.40 Walter F. george.(188.0) .....188.13 West point..........(635.0) .... 633.30

TODAY IN HISTORY TODAY’S HISTORY: in 1862, president abraham lincoln signed the Homestead act, which provided Western settlers free land for farms. in 1873, levi strauss and Jacob davis received the U.s. patent for blue jeans. in 1902, cuba declared independence from the United states. in 1969, the Battle of Hamburger Hill ended in south Vietnam. in 2006, nouri al-Maliki took office as prime minister of iraq.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Honore de Balzac (1799-1850), author; John stuart Mill (1806-1873), philosopher; William Fargo (1818-1881), Wells Fargo co-founder; Jimmy stewart (19081997), actor; Joe cocker (1944-2014), singer-songwriter; cher (1946- ), singersongwriter/actress; ted allen (1965- ),

tV personality; timothy olyphant (1968), actor; tony stewart (1971- ), race car driver; Busta Rhymes (1972- ), rapper; Matt czuchry (1977- ), actor; Rachel platten (1981- ), singer-songwriter.

TODAY’S FACT: in 1916, the saturday evening post published its first issue featuring a norman Rockwell painting (“Boy with Baby carriage”) on the cover.

TODAY’S SPORTS: in 1989, sunday silence beat easy goer by a nose in the 114th preakness stakes, the horse race’s closest margin.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “it is not because men’s desires are strong that they act ill; it is because their consciences are weak.”

-- John stuart Mill, “on liberty” TODAY’S NUMBER: 270 million -acres of U.s. land given away through the Homestead act.

READER’S GUIDE

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

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Honored as a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

COLUMNIST I AMY DICKINSON

Health precludes partying during pandemic

D

EAR AMY: My fiance has asthma.

I have reoccurring bronchitis, due to complications from emergency lung surgery. We are both in our late-20s. Because of those pre-existing conditions, we have been taking our state’s stay-at-home order seriously.

We’re not scared — just cautious. We wear masks when we go out. Otherwise, we are staying in.

We live in a duplex with a shared front yard. Our neighbors are not taking the stayat-home seriously (they are in their early 20s).

They are still going to friends’ houses every weekend, and (early on) they had co-workers over every night.

Today they threw a party on our front lawn, where people were standing shoulder to shoulder.

I wanted to call the police to break it up but my fiance didn’t want to snitch.

I have been trying to stay away from them, but we do share a few spaces, including the front entrance and basement laundry.

The few times we talked early on, I talked about how the city we live in was spiking in coronavirus cases, and how the first case was only a few blocks from us, but it fell on deaf ears.

At what point should I ask them to take this seriously — for our health?

— Sheltering in Wisconsin

D E A R SHELTERING: The point has long passed for you to ask your neighbors to take this criDickinson sis seriously.

Generally, it is easier to pre-empt negative behavior before it starts, and harder to roll it back — after the fact.

Now that they are partying under your nose, you’ll have to give it a try, and hope for the best.

My understanding is that because “stay-at-home” orders are being handled differently in various cities and states, the police might not be interested (or legally able) to bust up a party on your front lawn.

You should take rational and commonsense precautions regarding these very close neighbors. Wipe shared door handles and any other common point of contact (railings, door frames, and the handle of the washer and dryer) with disinfectant before you touch them. Wash your hands frequently.

Communicate with your neighbors: “Hey, we’re your neighbors and have serious health conditions that make us vulnerable to COVID-19.

Could you do us a favor and please be more considerate?

As you know, the state is discouraging large gatherings.

Having people clustered together on the front lawn is too close for our comfort.

We hope you understand and can respect this, until we get the all-clear. After that ... party on!”

DEAR AMY: I live in northwest Washington state. I was out walking and paused to chat with neighbors while they were sitting on their porch.

They invited me to join them for dinner that evening. These are neighbors who have had many family members drop by for visits and outdoor barbecues during the stay-home order.

I was stunned at the invitation and my first thought was, “Are you crazy?” I struggled with what to say beyond, “No thanks.” I don’t want to sound judgmental.

I also am grappling with a family milestone birthday and graduation party in June in a nearby state. That state has not had a tremendous number of coronavirus cases.

I know through social media that many of my family members have not been taking the virus as seriously as I have.

Everyone expects me to attend. However, I know that I am unwilling to put myself at risk, and that I cannot make the trip.

How do you politely turn down invitations to social gatherings during this time of COVID-19 without being judgmental of their choices and alienating friends?

A “No, thank you” doesn’t seem to be a good enough response.

I’m trying to figure out the best way to back out without causing friction.

— Staying Home DEAR STAYING HOME: For an impromptu invitation, you can say, “Thank you for asking, but I won’t be able to make it. So sorry.”

Give your family members advance notice that you won’t be at the event in June. Simply say, “I’m heartsick that I won’t be able to make it to the party. I hope we can FaceTime while you’re all together.”

DEAR AMY: “Scared Teen” was upset by their parents’ fighting. Your response was fine, but I wish you had suggested that this teen reach out to the school’s counselor. I assume that even with schools closed, counseling staffs have an online presence.

— Concerned DEAR CONCERNED: Absolutely. This is a great suggestion. The bickering parents could also use some professional help and mediation.

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.

Weigh the pros and cons of every move you want to make this year. if you let your emotions take charge, it will tempt you to act prematurely.

Unrealistic goals or expectations will work against you. assess situations and expand your interests based on what’s best for you.

TAURUS (april 20-May 20) — discipline will get you where you want to go. Whether it’s a work-related or personal victory you are after, your focus and determination will affect the outcome.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Be aware of what others are doing. someone you deal with won’t have your back when you need support. don’t let disappointment bring you down.

Be prepared to do things on your own.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — a different approach to a pending problem is favored. limit how much you spend and don’t commit to something you cannot provide. an offer will come with some troubling baggage. Make positive adjustments before you proceed.

LEO (July 23-aug. 22) — Handle a sensitive issue carefully. if you act impulsively, you will have trouble reaching your objective. charm and reaching out to someone who owes you a favor will pay off.

VIRGO (aug. 23-sept. 22) — collaborating with people who have similar goals will speed things up and encourage success. distance yourself from anyone causing problems or looking for an argument.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — information that interests you will come your way. Before you spread the word, verify the facts. your reputation will depend on what you do and say. self-improvement is encouraged.

SCORPIO (oct. 24-nov.

22) — adjustments will help ward off an unnecessary argument. Joint finances or shared expenses will be a problem if you and your partner don’t have the same values and ethics.

SAGITTARIUS (nov. 23dec. 21) — evaluate the way other people treat you and how well you are taking care of yourself. put your health and well-being first. Walk away from debilitating situations.

CAPRICORN (dec. 22-Jan. 19) — a change will be useful for you. adjust your schedule to include the things that bring you the most joy. don’t forgo what’s best for you just to appease others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — stick close to home and take care of personal matters. don’t be fooled by what others do or say, or get into a senseless argument over something that you cannot change.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Refuse to give someone who has disappointed you a chance to do so again.

Focus on what you can do to make your life and environment better.

ARIES (March 21-april 19) — seize the moment and take control. if you want something done, do it yourself. don’t let the changes or decisions that others make disrupt your plans. aim for stability, not for chaos.

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gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 20, 2020 ♦ A5

PERSPECTIVES

Gwinnett Daily Post www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline,

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

COLUMNIST|DAVID CARROLL

With all due respect

H

ave you noticed that people often Speaking of real friends, who else would don’t say what they really mean? say this to you: “I know you’re busy, but...”

Maybe that’s a good thing. We’ve Immediately, we have a problem here. You seen the consequences. Many TV shows have acknowledged that I’m busy. You see and movies have featured characters who me pulling a tooth, climbing a ladder, or dehave no edit switch between their mouth livering a baby. Yet, that doesn’t keep you and their brain. They were either “struck from saying, “Hey, I can see you’re busy, by lighting,” or were born with the condi- but really, all I need is change for a twenty. tion, like Dr. Sheldon Cooper, the brutally I can wait a little. By the way, I’d prefer a honest scientist in “The Big Bang Theory.” ten and two fives, okay?”

The rest of us want to be honest, we reOne of more recent vintage is “I feel your ally do. But instead, we couch our pain,” or the condensed version, negative remarks with nonsense “I feel ya, man.” Let’s say you’ve phrases that are supposed to minihad a rough few weeks. Your ol’ mize the damage. pal Murgatroyd saunters over and For example, It’s a safe bet that says, “How’s it going?” You open when someone says to you, “With up. “Gosh, where do I begin? I lost all due respect...” something disremy job, my wife had a wreck, my spectful is on the way. As in, “With back is shot, my dog left me, and all due respect, that shirt you’re termites have invaded my house.”

Carroll wearing went out of style around Your friend nods knowingly. “I feel the time Donny Osmond’s voice your pain, Bro.” Um, no you don’t. changed.” Hold on, didn’t you say I was In an effort to end the conversation, you due for some respect? Where did it go? politely say, “Well, I guess I’d better get And hasn’t Donny been through enough? busy and find another job, to keep the bill Same goes for “no offense.” If you are to collectors away.” He responds, “I know take that literally, that means you could not that’s right!” while hovering nearby. “And possibly be offended. But when you hear it’s easier to do that,” you say, “without any those two words, buckle up. There’s a ver- distractions.” “I heard that,” he says.A Well, bal storm coming. “Hey uh, no offense, you must not have, because you’re still here! but your breath could knock a buzzard off Do you have friends who question your a garbage truck.” Well, thank you! And ability to understand and comprehend the how could I possibly be offended by that? English language? I sure do. They’ll prattle Here’s another one. “I’m not gonna lie on for ten minutes, and wrap it up with, “Do to you.” Am I supposed to be grateful that you know what I’m sayin’?” Why yes, I’m you’re telling me the truth? Much like, “I fluent in English, so I know exactly what gotta be honest with you.” Now there’s a you’re saying. great dinner guest. “Hey, I’m not gonna lie But it doesn’t end there. After nodding to ya, you make great potato salad. And I your head to acknowledge your grasp of gotta be honest, that’s the best dessert I’ve the spoken word, they’ll move on to Part ever had.”

2 of their fascinating tale, with a big finJust think what would happen if they ish: “Does that make sense?” To borrow truly followed up on their promise. “Hey, one of my forbidden phrases, I gotta be I’m not gonna lie to ya. That odor coming honest. If you have to ask people if you’re from the bathroom? It’s all me.” Or, “I gotta making sense, you may want to seek medibe honest. Clementine and I have a good cal attention. marriage, but your wife Thelmalina was Hopefully, this column will help us avoid my first choice. I’m just sayin’.” these annoying phrases. Perhaps you will Or there’s that dear friend who leads into share it with others, and together we will a zinger with the golden words, “Don’t take prevail. Because all in all, at the end of this the wrong way.” I’m pretty sure how the day, really and truly, it is what it is.

I’m going to take it. “Hey Dave, don’t take No offense. this the wrong way, but have you considered liposuction to lose a couple of those David Carroll, a Chattanooga news anchor, is the author of “Volunteer Bama Dawg,” chins?” Gee, I’m so glad you told me not to take it the wrong way. If you hadn’t warned available on his website, ChattanoogaRadioTV. com. You may contact him at radiotv2020@ me in advance, I might have thought it was yahoo.com, or 900 Whitehall Road, an insult, instead of the positive reinforceChattanooga, TN 37405. ment you surely intended.

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.

COLUMNIST|KATHLEEN PARKER

C

olumbia, S.C. — Although I’m not physically in Columbia as I write this, I am virtually, as I plan shortly to attend the medical school graduation of a young friend.

Allison’s parents and sister arrived from Boston a few days ago to share the ceremony, if only symbolically. All are convening at my son’s house to enjoy the ceremony, while I, tucked a couple of hours away, will attempt to tune in by computer.

It is a wholly unsatisfying circumstance in many respects. Allison, like thousands of graduates across the country, will miss the glorious walk across a stage to receive her diploma, thereby joining generations of previous graduates in a ritual meant both to congratulate accomplishment and to launch a fresh beginning.

The Accomplishment and Beginning stand, with or without a procession. But forever missed will be that moment when your name is called, when all eyes are upon you, when your hand connects to the parchment — and all pause to mark a moment that transcends the ordinariness of life, which will return soon enough.

Some graduates will still savor the traditional ceremony as some states and communities choose to allow life to re-

COLUMNIST|TOM PURCELL

Drive-in theaters poised to profit from pandemic

H

ere’s one COVID-19 silver lining: with more than two children – like my The drive-in theater, a unique- family – the drive-in theater was one ly American creation, is doing of the few entertainment venues they booming business again. could afford.

I’ve long been nostalgic for this We attended outdoor movies wonderful piece of Americana. frequently in the mid-1970s and When I was growing up in the it was always a treat. The cooler ’70s, my mother and father ofwas packed with soda pop and ten packed my five sisters and I sandwiches. The family-size pointo our massive station wagon tato chip bag could feed a vilto see outdoor movies. lage. We lowered the tailgate America’s first drive-in theof our Plymouth Fury station ater opened on June 6, 1933 in wagon and set up a glorious Camden, N.J. According to Hisbuffet on it.

Purcell tory.com, it was the creation of Soon, the blue sky fell dark Richard Hollingshead, whose and the film projector began mother found indoor theaters uncom- rattling. Black-and-white numbers – fortable. His idea, which he patented, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” – flashed onto the screen. was to create “an open-air theater” that Yellowed 1950s footage advertised hot would let patrons watch movies from dogs, popcorn and other concession “the comfort of their own automobiles.” items we could never get our father to The concept was a success, but it wasn’t buy. Finally, the feature film – such as until 1949, when Hollingshead’s patent “The Love Bug” – would play. was overturned, that drive-in theaters The drive-in theater never was as began opening all over the country. popular in any other country as it was “The popularity of the drive-in spiked in America. All great things come to after World War II and reached its hey- an end, however. In 1978, as operatday in the late 1950s to mid-60s, with ing costs grew and rising land values some 5,000 theaters across the coun- encouraged entrepreneurs to sell to try,” reports History.com. “Drive-ins developers, the drive-in theater bebecame an icon of American culture … .” gan to decline.

Kerry Segrave, author of “Drive-in The United Drive-in Theatre OwnTheaters: A History from Their Incep- ers Association says only 305 drivetion in 1933,” explains that the boom in theaters now exist – and, boy, are resulted from several uniquely Ameri- they needed now, as the coronavirus, can trends in the 1950s. and its social-distancing mandates, are New highway systems allowed en- impeding freedom to be entertained. trepreneurs to purchase inexpensive I trust that many more entrepreneurs, farmland for outdoor theaters, which the lifeblood of our economy and the patrons could easily drive to. engines that will drive our economic Americans’ love of the automobile recovery, will invent creative ways to also was important. Car designs were get us to the movies. Large, blow-up bold and creative – the 1957 Chevy is screens? Temporary theaters in mall still widely loved as a classic, beauti- parking lots? How about dinner and ful design. a movie in restaurant parking lots?

American cars in the ’50s weren’t Where there’s a need, a solution just machines to get people to and from quickly follows, as the American driveplaces – they were statements. Ameri- in theater is reinvented all over again. cans loved spending time in their cars, including hours at drive-in theaters.

Tom Purcell is a Pittsburgh TribuneAnd with the baby boom well under Review humor columnist. Send comments to Tom at Tom@TomPurcell.com. way, for many single-income families

The rituals of 2020

turn to normal. But it seems fites anxiety. Thus, it has been since ting that a medical school would the first instant of consciousness. take extra care in protecting its While the ancients may have feared graduates, many of whom will be weather and contrived mythical dispersing to begin residencies figures to help them cope, we face and, in many cases, join the cadalienation in a secular, high-tech re of those fighting for the lives of world that promises non-human COVID-19 patients. Wading into intelligence. Ritual connects us to Parker the pandemic’s petri dish would our primordial selves and turns be a daunting prospect for anyone madness into magic. but especially for recent graduates who The greater our anxiety, the more inmust immediately face worst-case sce- tensely we act out our rituals, which narios that could also infect or kill them. may explain the prevalence of obsessiveMy hat is off to these young centurions, compulsive disorder. We may not wash who in a very real sense are true com- our hands with a fresh bar of soap each manders of this disease-stricken century. time, as Jack Nicholson’s character did These lost graduations are, of course, in “As Good as It Gets,” but we certainly trivial compared to the lives lost to pan- are washing our hands a lot. I wonder if demic, but even their absence remind us we’re not creating a germ-obsessed sociof why such rituals matter. Simply put, ety that will make us even more anxious, they connect us to the past and future in creating a cycle of sickness without disa continuum of human experience that ease, assuming we are someday able to lends meaning to our existence. Rituals tame the predatory coronavirus. provide rest stops for the soul and reaFunerals, we understand, bring “closons to believe that life has purpose. No sure,” a word I avoid because it tends to small thing, that. trivialize the transcendent. But funerals Religion is the most obvious construc- do close one door while opening another, tion for ritualizing meaning. Religious allowing us to bid farewell and to place a ritual helps us reconnect to community, semi-colon at the end of the departed’s life. to the greater good, the higher power, I’ve always liked to think that requiescat and to the everlasting. Ritual also defus- in pace is but preface to a longer story.

In my southern culture, funerals are immediately followed by the ritual of casseroles and cocktails. Pimento cheese sandwiches and pickled shrimp miraculously turn tears of sorrow into tears of joy, probably because we’re happy to be alive but also because we find comfort in knowing that these rituals will be repeated for us someday. That is a calming thought.

Less so is that many young people will be deprived of their rite of passage into the adult world this year, though new rituals have evolved to fill the void. One of them looks like this: Allison, her parents and sister are seated in the bedroom of my son John’s house where the TV had the proper hookups. There they watched a series of pre-recorded speeches and a slideshow production of the graduates.

Yes, they applauded when Allison’s name came up.

Things didn’t go quite as planned, obviously, but virtual communion and celebration are now part of the enduring human story of 2020. To all of those who marched in their hearts, here’s to you — and to better days to come. Well done.

Kathleen Parker is a columnist for the Washington Post.

A6 ♦ Wednesday, May 20, 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: Sundra Islands

A8 ♦ Wednesday, May 20, 2020 ♦ gWinnettdailypost.coM

Remdesivir ready for COVID-19 patients at Albany hospital

By Beau Evans Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service

ALBANY – Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the Albany-based hospital that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, will start using the antiviral drug remdesivir to help treat patients with severe health issues from the respiratory virus.

The South Georgia hospital is one of eight in the state to receive initial shipments of the drug that arrived from federal officials last week. The hospitals picked to receive the drug are among the most affected by COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel strain of coronavirus that sparked a global pandemic.

State health officials received 30 cases of the antiviral drug in the initial shipment last week that contained 1,200 vials capable of treating roughly 11 patients, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. A larger second shipment has also been sent to Georgia and will be distributed sometime this week, health officials said.

Phoebe Putney quickly became

special photo

The South Georgia hospital is one of eight in the state to receive initial shipments of the drug that arrived from federal officials last week. the COVID-19 outbreak epicenter in Georgia outside the Atlanta area as the virus sent waves of people to the hospital. While admissions for COVID-19 have declined in recent weeks, the hospital was

treating 82 patients for the virus as of noon Tuesday. To date, 122 patients with COVID-19 have died at Phoebe Putney.

“Remdesivir is the first drug shown through clinical research

Commissioners approve pedestrian improvements on Peachtree Industrial Blvd

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Some improvements are coming to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to make it safer for pedestrians in the Peachtree Corners area.

On Tuesday, Gwinnett County commissioners approved a $435,709 contract with SOL Construction LLC to perform the improvements on Peachtree Industrial, between Winters Chapel Road and Peachtree Corners Circle. The improvements include sidewalks along the west side of Peachtree Industrial as

well as curb and gutter improvements, according to county documents.

“We received nine bids for about a mile of sidewalk on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and we recommend award to the low bidder,” Gwinnett County Transportation Director Alan Chapman told commissioners.

The county documents presented to commissioners this week shows the project is expected to take about three months to complete.

The project is being funded with money from the 2017 special purpose local option sales tax.

Commissioners approve pedestrian improvements on Jimmy Carter Blvd

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Jimmy Carter Boulevard is getting some sidewalks in the Peachtree Corners area as part of pedestrian improvements on the roadway.

Gwinnett County commissioners signed off Tuesday on a $199,862 contract with SOL Construction LLC to do the improvements, which will be located just west of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The same firm was also chosen to install a sidewalk nearby on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

“We received 11 bids for construc-

tion of about a half-mile of sidewalks on Jimmy Carter and we recommend approval to the low bidder,” Gwinnett County Transportation Director Alan Chapman said.

The sidewalks will be located on the east side of Jimmy Carter Boulevard, and county documents show the project will also include curb and gutter improvements. It includes a stretch of roadway between Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Holcomb Bridge Road.

Construction is expected to take about three months to complete. Funding for the project is coming from the 2014 special purpose local option sales tax.

to be a potentially helpful tool in the treatment of COVID-19,” said Steven Kitchen, Phoebe Putney’s chief medical officer. “It certainly is not a cure, but it does appear to reduce the severity and length of

COVID From A1 “The percentage of people that are actually testing positive continues to go down. The number of people hospitalized continues to go down. There’s a lot of good news in that regard and it clearly shows that the steps we’ve been taking over the last (two months) are working.”

Skinner is not the only person urging continued compliance with the CDC guidelines amid the increase in testing. Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments District Director Dr. Audrey Arona recently told the Daily Post that residents should “Act as if everyone around you is positive and as if you yourself are positive.”

And, while there has been an increase in testing in Georgia, and the criteria for who can get tested has been loosened, Gov. Brian Kemp’s office announced on Monday that the number of people tested in the state equated to 3.3% of the state’s population.

In recent weeks, some businesses have been reopening in Georgia as many mandatory closures and shelter-in-place orders for most Georgians expired. Live entertainment venues, bars and night clubs must remain closed through at least the end of May. Shelter in place orders for the elderly and people with chronic health conditions remain in place through mid-June.

Skinner said, while the deci-

the illness in some patients.”

Produced by the California company Gilead Sciences Inc., remdesivir was granted emergency-use authorization earlier this month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after a clinical trial that found the drug likely can help treat severe cases of coronavirus, such as patients who are on ventilators.

The drug has not been formally approved for use by the FDA, but the clinical trial found it may reduce a seriously ill person’s chances for dying and the amount of time needed to stay in a hospital. It was originally developed to treat patients who contracted the Ebola virus.

Other hospitals in Georgia that have received vials of remdesivir include Tift Regional Medical Center, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Grady Health System, Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown and Augusta University Medical Center.

As of noon Tuesday, more than 38,600 cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in the state. The virus had killed 1,649 Georgians.

sion to reopen businesses and lift restrictions has been left to state and local officials, the CDC has provided those officials with information to help guide their decisions.

“We have provided tons and tons of guidance on our website for governors and state and local health officials to utilize when making decisions about opening up,” he said. “But, I think it’s going to be important, for the foreseeable future for people, regardless of where they may live, to continue to do the basic things that we know are effective in preventing transmission.”

There have also been protests in many states against continuing COVID-19-related closures, and there have been some people going to stores without face coverings.

“What we’re finding in many parts of the country is that people have grown increasingly tired of mitigation,” Skinner said “I think it’s important that we recognize that some people are ready to open up, no matter what, and I think we need to acknowledge the fact that there are people that feel that way and we need to encourage them to take the (transmission prevention steps) as they go about their business as a way to protect not only themselves, but to protect others.”

Locally, in Gwinnett, the local health department is opening a new testing site at First Baptist Church of Lilburn, which is located at 285 Main Street NW in Lilburn. Appointments are now being made for people to be test-

ed at that site, which Gwinnett health officials pointed out is close to two transit stops. It will handle drive-thru and walk-up patients to accommodate people regardless of whether they own a car.

Testing is also continuing at the Gwinnett Health Department’s office in Lawrenceville.

The phone number to schedule an appointment for either test site is 770-513-5631. Anyone who wants to be tested for COVID-19 can get a test, but they must make an appointment to do so.

Meanwhile, Gwinnett has, to date, seen a total of 2,771 cases of COVID-19, 114 deaths from the disease and 540 hospitalizations.

The county, which has a population of just under 1 million people, has had an incidence rate of 285.33 COVID-19 cases for every 100,000 Gwinnett residents.

Statewide, there has been a total of 38,855 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 1,675 deaths, 7,076 hospitalizations and 1,607 ICU admissions.

There have been 378,156 tests performed in Georgia so far. The state has not released data on the number of people who got the disease but later recovered.

Gwinnett, which is Georgia’s second most populous county, has had the third highest case totals among the state’s 159 counties, behind only Fulton (3,795 cases and 174 deaths) and DeKalb County (2,918 cases, 87 deaths).

Gwinnett is followed by Cobb County (2,503 cases, 135 deaths) and Hall County (2,191 cases, 40 deaths).

OBITUARIES Cumming, GA

Mr. Billy Mac Shivers Billy Mac Shivers 86 of Cumming, Ga. passed away Saturday May 16, 2020 at the Towne Club at Windmere in Cumming, Ga. Private family graveside services will be conducted Tuesday in the Shivers Family Cemetery near Ft. Gaines, Ga. with the Rev. Randy Stokes officiating.

Mr. Shivers was born Mar. 21, 1934 in Ft. Gaines, Ga. the son of the late Bernard Olin and Lillian Durham Shivers.

He graduated from the Ft. Gaines High School and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1956.

He was in the Air Force ROTC, and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, while at the university. He was a 1st Lt. in the Air Force and a Captain in the Air Force Reserves. He obtained a Juris Doctorate from John Marshall School of Law and was a member of the Ga. Bar Association. He was a member of the Mt Gilead Baptist Church near Ft. Gaines, Ga. He is survived by a sisterin-law Mickie Powell Shivers and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters Marian Shivers Edwards and Juanita Shivers Ellzey; 3 brothers Everton Olin Shivers, Inman Broughton Shivers and Merrille Mercer Shivers.

Lunsford Funeral Home Cuthbert, Ga. 229/732-2148Arrangements by LUNSFORD FUNERAL HOME Buford

Dorothy “Dot” Spitler (Coppenger) Dorothy (Dot) Coppenger Spitler, 99, passed away Saturday, May 16, at Benton House of Sugar Hill. Mrs. Spitler was born in Etowah, Tennessee, on November 4, 1920. She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Boyd Alexander Spitler; her parents; one sister and three brothers. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at an early age and lived there until 1970 when she and her husband moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia.

There they continued their real estate business (Spitler Realty Company) until Mr. Spitler’s death in 1977. Mrs. Spitler also became interested in health foods and opened

the Nutrition Nook, serving the Lawrenceville area for a number of years. She was a member of Gwinnett Hall Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children, Elaine S. Allen and Boyd A. Spitler, Jr. (Jack), their spouses (Thad Allen and Helen Spitler), five grandchildren and their spouses, seven greatgrandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held at Melwood Cemetery in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Gwinnett Hall Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.

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

Lawrenceville

Michael Warren Swain Michael Warren Swain, 70 years of age, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 16, 2020. Mike was born on December 21, 1949 in Tifton, Georgia to Kurtis and Faye Swain. In his younger years Mike was active in sports including baseball and basketball. Mike served in the U.S. Army from 1971 until 1972.

Mike enjoyed all family gatherings. Mike and his parents were strongly supportive of each other throughout their lives and Mike was particularly dedicated to his mother after his father’s passing. Mike was a longtime member of Lawrenceville United Methodist Church.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Kurtis, and his mother, Faye. He i $15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices Call for details

15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

$

CALL 770.963.9205 Ext. 1161 or Ext. 1162

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is survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Kaye and John Slayton, Becky and Randy Sewell, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A private graveside service was held on Monday, May 18, 2020.

Buford

Eugene E. Walls Eugene E. Walls, age 90, of Buford, GA passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Annie Harrison Walls; sister and brother-in-law, Erma and Clarence Southard; and great nephew, Donald Davis. Mr. Walls is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Kathleen Bullock Walls, Buford, GA; niece, Barbara (Wayne) Davis; nephew, Allen (Judy) Southard; great nephews, L

Lance (DeDe) Davis and Shane (Shannon) Southard. Mr. Walls was born November 5, 1929 in Lawrenceville, GA. He was a 1949 graduate of Buford High School in Buford, GA. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force for three years. Mr. Walls was retired from ADT in 1994. He was a member of First Baptist Church Buford in Buford, GA where he attended the Upper Room Sunday School Class. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and traveling all over the fortyeight states. He enjoyed repairing antiques and working with stain glass.

Mr. Walls and Kathleen resided on LawrencevilleSuwanee Road, Suwanee, GA for over forty-nine years where he enjoyed living there and gardening. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association at Parkinson.org in memory of Eugene Walls.

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PAGE A9 ♦ WEdnEsdAy, MAy 20, 2020

ROAd WARRIORs

Obstacles can’t keep Mill Creek from 14-1 record, No. 4 national ranking

By Will Hammock will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

A random storm that soaked Dacula’s field March 11 created a special memory for the Mill Creek baseball team’s 13 seniors.

When Hawks head coach Doug Jones got the phone call that the game was off, he came up with another plan — play the game at Mill Creek’s Fathers Field, which had escaped the rain.

“I told (Dacula coach) Scott (Gaffney), ‘If you want to, we can play over here, I’m just going to need about three hours,’” Jones said. “We had some warning track issues, ruts, a safety issue. I said, ‘If we pushed this thing back to 7, get to work and fix the warning track, we’ll be able to do it. And it was our only home game, that was Senior Night. Looking back on it, I’m glad the seniors got to play on the field one last time.”

That one last time ended up being the only Mill Creek home game all season, as well as the final game of the 2020 season because of the coronavirus. It was the end of an eventful year for the Hawks baseball team, which was forced to play its first 14 games of the season away from home.

Drainage issues, coupled with heavy rains, made Fathers Field unavailable for games or practices except for a couple of days during tryouts. The team managed to take infield on occasion because the surface could be covered with a tarp. It could use the warning track for some work.

When players hit in practice, the outfield was loaded with Hawks who caught fly balls before they plugged deep holes into the saturated grass.

Those in the program worked hard to solve the issues, but correcting the problem figures to be a large, longterm undertaking. In the meantime, this year’s Hawks became road warriors.

They played three games on the college field at North Georgia. They rented a LakePoint field. They used the field at Lambert, coached by Jones’ former colleague and Gwinnett coach Rick Howard. They played twice at Buford.

Through it all, they kept winning.

Mill Creek finished the coronavirus-shortened season with a 14-1 record (3-0 in region) and a No. 4 national ranking by MaxPreps. The Hawks’ coaches liked the makeup of this year’s team and the prospects of success, but 14 wins in 15 games was still beyond expectations.

“I didn’t expect 14-1, no I did not,” Jones said of his preseason

Providence Christian Academy head football coach Jonathan Beverly was hired to coach the Storm in February. Beverly grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and played college football for Samford University. He left his head coaching position at Childersburg High School (Ala.) last December.

In this installment of “Getting to Know,” staff correspondent Jack Leo talks with Beverly about his move to Georgia, his favorite new restaurant and more.

JL: How has your transition been from Alabama to Georgia?

JB: It’s been good. It’s been kind of crazy with the quarantine and all, but it’s been good.

JL: What do you miss the most about Alabama?

JB: I miss our church home.

One of our first priorities is trying to find a church home that we can serve in. Atlanta is home for my wife, so this kind of feels like my home away from home.

Dale Zanine

Mill Creek pitcher Zach Green had a 4-0 record and a 0.82 ERA this season. The Hawks were off to a 14-1 start with a No. 4 national ranking.

Dale Zanine

Mill Creek’s Alek Boychuk hit .438 with a .509 on-base percentage this season for the Hawks.

Will Hammock

Mill Creek’s Keaton Anthony had a 2-0 record with a 0.88 ERA in a shortened season for the Hawks, who finished 14-1. thoughts. “But after awhile I wasn’t surprised. It’s a very unique group, probably the most bought-in group we’ve had, just absolutely bought in. And all of our kids have been great over the years.

But we just had some new faces, guys that had to fill holes we’ve had in the past. They were guys who would say just tell me what to do and I’ll do it to the best of my abilities. No egos. The better

players did a good job leading, not being snobby, primadonna-ish.

“The ending was heartbreaking on a ton of fronts, not having field to practice on, playing 14 of 15 on the road. And nobody

blinked. Nobody fretted.”

Jones credited the big senior class — Zach Green, Garner McKeon, Trey Mullins, Ben Landua, Mitchell Chastain, Brendan York, Bryce Sarazen, Aidan Roberson, Alek Boychuk, Gavin Sondak, Keaton Anthony, Jake Page, Chris Mussell — for a huge role in guiding the team’s overall attitude.

“They’re just great kids,” Jones said of the seniors. “They absolutely bought in, did their role, didn’t complain at all. They all contributed, all found their niche.

If they were playing behind a kid that was younger, you never knew it. To me, that’s how you end up 14-1.”

Green, a Louisiana Tech signee, and Anthony, an Iowa recruit, led the pitching staff with strong starts in 2020. Green was 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA and Anthony was 2-0 with a 0.88 ERA. They were part of a deep group that also included Page (3-0, 2.41 ERA), Hayden Stone (2-0, 2.23 ERA) and Kyle Beaty (2-1, 3.06 ERA).

Landon DePratter already put up huge numbers at the plate with team highs in batting average (.452), home runs (five) and RBIs (21). He also had a .510 on-base percentage, just ahead of Boychuk’s .509. Boychuk, a South Carolina signee, hit .438 with 14 RBIs and a team-high seven doubles.

Ole Miss commitment Tim Simay (.413 average, .491 on-base percentage), Sarazen (.368, 10 RBIs, .468 on-base percentage) and York (.319 average, .468 onbase percentage) were among the other players excelling offensively.

Those big numbers at the plate and on the mound were posted almost entirely away from home.

If things dried out, Mill Creek may have played a few more games at Fathers Field. The players and coaches will never know how the last half of the season would have played out.

The Hawks had goals of a region championship and a state playoff run that didn’t happen because of the coronavirus. However, through 15 games, they created a number of memories.

“Just from the get-go, I felt good about this team,” Jones said. “When it was apparent we were going to struggle with the field and we had some holes we had to fill. But we found those and we were starting to develop some depth on the mound. We had a good, strong bench. We were athletic. I’ll remember them for a variety of reasons, just for their play, and more importantly to me is who they were. They’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

Getting to Know ... Jonathan Beverly

Providence Christian Academy

Jonathan Beverly is the new head football coach at Providence Christian Academy.

JL: What is your favorite restaurant in Lilburn?

JB: I love Mexican food.

The place across the street (from Providence), Los Hermanos. Los Hermanos is a winner.

JL: What’s the biggest difference between Lilburn and Birmingham?

JB: Metro Atlanta is a lot busier than Birmingham. Peo-

ple, on the other hand, have been very friendly, which is similar to Birmingham. Lilburn is such a diverse and welcoming community… it feels like home already.

JL: What is your favorite type of music?

JB: I love worship music, especially Elevation Worship. During the summer and during football season,

I enjoy country music. For some reason, it just fits during the summer and during the fall.

JL: Have you lived in Alabama your whole life?

JB: I grew up in Birmingham and went to college there but I’ve worked in Kentucky and the Cincinnati area since I started coaching.

JL: How did playing football in high school and college make you a better coach?

JB: For me, high school football taught me the importance of teamwork and accountability. I had high school coaches who made an impact on me on both sides. I had some coaches that made the impression on me where I wanted to make kids feel the way I felt around them. I also had coaches who made me feel the opposite way.

At Samford, I had the opportunity to play for some really great men that were really good football coaches as well.

My offensive line coach and my strength coach inspired

me to get into coaching.

JL: What was it about them that made you want to be a coach?

JB: The way they connected with people. My strength coach’s personality was infectious. No matter where someone was from, he just connected with them so well. My offensive line coach showed me that you can be a good ball coach who knows his craft and also be a Godly man who does it the right way.

JL: How did you find Providence?

JB: The last couple years, we were very persistent in praying for an opportunity to come to Georgia. It started with an FCA coach’s camp in south Georgia. The last couple of years, we’ve been making connections with coaches and coaching families here in Georgia.

Over Christmas break, it became a main focus for us to find a job in Georgia. We were blessed to have a connection with the Providence family. I was able to sense

that there was a great mission at Providence, and that there was a focus on doing things not only in a manner that glorifies God, but also in a way that’s first class in everything they do.

JL: Transitioning to your first head coaching job at Childersburg High School, you took a 2-8 team to the playoffs in just two years. How did that happen?

JB: Changing the mentality. Getting kids to believe that it’s possible to get a program in the right direction is big. When you’re taking over a program that’s struggling, you’ve got to culturally change the mindset.

We had two big wins to finish the season in Year 1.

That momentum carried over into spring football the next year and that carried into the summer. It started with the mindset that winning is possible. It’s not only possible, but an expectation. I believe we’ll be able to do that here at Providence.

gwinnettdailypost.com ♦ wednesday, may 20, 2020 ♦ A11

Aurora Theatre doing free online shows on Wednesdays during May

PCOM receives highest possible accreditation level for the next decade

By Curt Yeomans

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The community may not be able to go to the Aurora Theatre right now because of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic, but the theater is coming to the community.

It’s just doing so in a digital format.

The Aurora Theatre is doing a weekly free digital theater series called Cyber Stage every Wednesday this month.

It is curated and directed by Justin Anderson, who is the Aurora’s associate artistic director.

“The series will feature new plays, many of which have been created specifically to be presented in a virtual setting,” Aurora Director of Sales and Marketing Al Stilo said. “Performed by professional actors from the prestigious Aurora Apprentice program, this new way to experience live (theater) will thrill you while remaining safe and secure at home.”

Space is limited and arts patrons, or anyone else interested in viewing

special photo

The Aurora Theatre announced it will offer free digital performances, called Cyber Stage, on Wednesdays throughout May because of the COVID-19 outbreak. a performance, must reserve a space the day of the show.

The shows will be performed live online at tickets.auroratheatre.com/ events/cyber-stage. Aurora officials and cast members will take audience will email viewers a viewing link on questions after each performance.

Norcross Co-Op changes its name to Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Officials at the Norcross Cooperative Ministry ended the week with some big news: The organization is changing its name as it faces a significantly higher demand for its services.

The co-op announced that it will now be known as Neighborhood Cooperative Ministry. The change is intended to reflect the 32-year-old coop’s efforts to help homeless and low income residents across southwest Gwinnett County, including the Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Doraville and Tucker areas.

“The drive for changing our name originated with a desire to better define who ALL we serve in Southwest Gwinnett County,” officials at the co-op said in an announcement about the new name. “Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries serves a broader area than just Norcross.”

While the new name is significant news for the co-op, its officials are putting the

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focus on community needs that have increased during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. The organization works with people in need to get them food, clothing and financial assistance, and is supported by local churches, businesses, civic and social organizations, foundations and individual donors in that effort.

The pandemic has taxed

the co-op’s resources significantly and officials said they are in need of donations from the community.

The co-op has continued to operate during the pandemic, and officials said there have been more than 100 cars in food lines on the organization’s distribution days since late March.

In the span of one month, from late February to late

March, the number of clients the co-op serves per week increased 526%, going from 125 clients to 783 clients, the organization said. It also said the total pounds of food that it distributes increased 710% during that month.

“NCM food supplies are running low, and the Atlanta Food Bank and grocery stores that routinely help NCM with food supplies, are unable to do so during this pandemic due to their own needs and demands,” co-op officials said.

Canned food items can be donated from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during May at the co-op’s satellite food truck, which is located at The Piedmont Bank at 5100 Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree Corners. Donations can also be made at the co-op’s warehouse, which is located at 500 Pinnacle Court in Norcross.

Officials said members of the community can also make financial donations through the co-op’s website, which can be found at www.ourncm.org.

The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s programs will be accredited through at least 2030, the college recently announced.

The school, also known as PCOM, has received full 10year Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome from the America Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.

Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome is the highest level of accreditation issued by the commission.

“We are extremely honored to receive the exceptional outcome designation,” PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein said in a statement.

“This speaks volumes about our institution and the highquality of education we provide to our students.”

During the accreditation review process, officials from the commission visited PCOM’s campus in Philadelphia as well as its two Georgia campuses in Suwanee and Moultrie. The school also had to complete a comprehensive self-study report as part of the accredita-

tion renewal process.

School officials said the commission reviewed PCOM South Georgia in a separate action since it is a newly established PCOM location.

“I wish to express my profound and enduring gratitude to Dr. Robert Cuzzolino for his incomparable leadership during this accreditation process and extend the same gratitude to his team of faculty and staff for making this tremendous achievement possible,” PCOM Georgia interim dean Joseph Kaczmarczyk said.

The commission will regularly monitor PCOM’s accreditation status regularly, but it is not expected to come back to any of the school’s campuses to conduct a review until 2029. “(The re-accreditation process was) a complex and exhaustive effort that could only have been the success it was thanks to the contributions of a large number of PCOM people — including faculty, staff, students, trustees and clinical partners,” recently retired vice president for graduate programs and planning Robert Cuzzolino, who oversaw the effort for the school, said.

photo: philadelphia college of osteopathic medicine

Howard Mufuka and Jeffrey Kilheffer pose for a photo in Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia’s Simulation Center. The school recently received full 10-year accreditation.

Burkhalter nominated as US ambassador to Norway

By Dave Williams Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service

ATLANTA — Former Georgia House Speaker Mark Burkhalter has been nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. ambassa-

dor to Norway.

Burkhalter is a senior advisor in the Public Policy and Regulation practice in the Atlanta office of Dentons U.S. LLP and plays a significant role in the global law firm’s public affairs and economic development

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF SUWANEE, GEORGIA PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET The public is hereby notified that the City Council of Suwanee is scheduled to adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2021, which runs from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, during the City Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, Georgia, 30024.

Before adoption, the City of Suwanee will conduct two public hearings on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 at the City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, Georgia 30024 on: • Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

All interested citizens may present written or oral comments and ask questions regarding the proposed uses and budget. The preliminary budget document is available for public inspection at City Hall during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on the City of Suwanee’s website: Suwanee.com. Consideration of adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at the 6:30 p.m. regularly scheduled City Council Meeting.

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initiatives in the United Kingdom.

The Republican from Alpharetta served in the state House for 18 years, representing a district in Atlanta’s northern suburbs. He became speaker pro tempore when Republicans captured control of the House in 2004 and served about a month as speaker at the end of 2009 when thenSpeaker Glenn Richardson resigned his seat in the House.

Burkhalter’s political career also included a stint on the legislative staff of then-U.S. Rep. Newt Mark Gingrich, RBurkhalter Marietta, before Gingrich became U.S. House speaker.

While serving in the General Assembly, Burkhalter built a successful career in real estate development. He

earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia with a double major in German and Slavic languages and global studies/political science.

Subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Burkhalter would become the second prominent Georgia Republican to represent the United States overseas under the Trump administration.

Lawyer and GOP activist Randy Evans is serving as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CITY OF SUWANEE, GEORGIA PRELIMINARY BUDGET DOCUMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW The City of Suwanee preliminary budget document for Fiscal Year 2021 is currently available for public review at City Hall during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on the City of Suwanee’s website: Suwanee.com The public is hereby notified that the City Council of Suwanee is scheduled to adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2021, which runs from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, during the City Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, Georgia, 30024.

Before adoption, the City of Suwanee will conduct two public hearings on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 at the City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, Georgia 30024 on: • Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.; • Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

All interested citizens may present written or oral comments and ask questions regarding the proposed uses and budget. Consideration of adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at the 6:30 p.m. regularly scheduled City Council Meeting.

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