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Letters to the editor
OPINION | The Local Views
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By Dave Lawrence Richmond Suburban News L et me tell you a cautionary tale. A couple of weeks ago, I was covering the Dominion Energy Charity Classic when I felt what I thought was an old friend coming on: allergies. My nose was getting itchy. Drainage was irritating my throat.
But it didn’t feel like a big deal and I wasn’t worried. I was wearing a mask, keeping my distance, and being careful about not touching anything more than I absolutely needed.
Overnight, while I was trying to prepare the forthcoming sports sections for the week’s Locals (Mechanicsville and Ashland-Hanover), it started to feel like more than mere allergies. I was stuffy, sneezing and coughing.
By Monday morning, all I wanted to do was slap my sections together and go back to bed. By Monday night, I was running a fever.
By Tuesday morning, I had met enough criteria for COVID-19 that I went to my doctor to get tested. Because of the usual trajectory my body typically takes with any kind of respiratory infection, she also began treating me for bronchitis.
I spent the ensuing two weeks in isolation. I got tired of being stuck at home. But that is irrelevant. I’m not writing all this to kvetch to you readers. I’m writing because there’s an important lesson to be learned.
When the nurse called me to give my result, she said it was “negative.” I used the term “negative” myself in describing the result. Most people, after getting a similar result, would likewise use “negative” to describe their COVID status.
Here’s where the cautionary bit comes in: The lab report does not say my result is “Negative.”
Instead, it says, “Not Detected.”
You may be guessing the punch line at this point. … Yes, there is a difference between “Negative” and “Not Detected.”
In my years as an environmental regulator reviewing toxic substance monitoring reports, I never saw a report that said a chemical was not present. If the substance was detected, there would be a number representing the concentration of the pollutant in the sample. If the sample was not detected, there would be some notation like “DL” that was shorthand for “below detection limit.”
Most biological or chemical assays are only so sensitive in that there must be a minimal amount of whatever of interest for the test to register. That is referred to as the detection limit. At or above that minimal amount, the test can quantify how much is there.
But, if the amount of the thing of interest is below the detection limit, you cannot do the opposite and conclude it is not in the sample. It might very well be in sample, but in an amount too small for the test to be able to measure.
We run into this dilemma with the COVID19 tests. If the results say the virus has been detected in your sample, odds are you are infected. The tests have not had a big problem with false positives – except where, as with the initially rolled out version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention test, the test kits (or samples) are contaminated in some way.
If you have no COVID symptoms and your sample comes back “Not Detected,” it may be reasonable to conclude that you are not infected. Nevertheless, you could be mistaken. If you’ve had a recent close contact, you still need to be careful.
Testing of my sample was done via LabCorp. The results of my sample came back “Not Detected,” but that’s where the detection limit comes into play. I could still be COVIDpositive, yet shedding virus at levels too low to register.
According to LabCorp’s emergency use authorization documentation, the viral test – which looks for copies of viral genetic material, not the antibodies we may (or may not) produce against the virus – has a detection limit of 6,250 copies per milliliter.
Other tests have been developed that can detect far lower concentrations of virus, but some can only detect higher concentrations. As with everything, cost/benefit considerations apply, and the LabCorp test is intended for a mass, not a niche, market.
“The LabCorp test is likely sufficiently sensitive to identify patients who are ‘infectious’ on the day of testing assuming the sample was collected appropriately,” wrote Harvard University researcher James E. Kirby via email (response slightly edited for clarity). “It is one point in time. Detected viral load usually precedes symptoms;
see COVID, pg. 8
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LETTERS | Reader Views Hickory Grove rezoning impacts East Ashland
The proposed Hickory Grove mixed use rezoning on Route 54 east of the Town of Ashland features traffic manipulation and deception.
The developer’s traffic study falsely denies the existence of the massive, approved but undeveloped East Ashland project which would add over 33,000 vehicles across from Hickory Grove. East Ashland impacts traffic on Route 54 and the Interstate 95 Exit 92 interchange and has proffered road improvements along Route 54.
In 2016, the General Assembly passed legislation specifying that a proffered road improvement should be attributable to a development creating the need for it. If East Ashland’s traffic and road improvements had been included in the traffic study in compliance with express VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) guidelines, Hickory Grove’s development would create a need for major proffered road improvements to the Exit 92 interchange and likely Route 54.
By denying the existence of East Ashland, however, Hickory Grove falsely claims a temporary traffic signal on a wooden pole at the Exit 92 southbound off ramp as its only proffered road improvement. How convenient. Hickory Grove can claim compliance only because its traffic study ignores East Ashland, cumulative impacts, and VDOT guidelines.
There’s more. Although East Ashland’s traffic is ignored and it pays no cash proffers, county staff resurrects the 33,000 vehicle trips in calculating Hickory Grove’s cash proffers. Without support, traffic from far away developments near the U.S. 301/ Rural Point Road intersection also is included. Because these vehicle trips
see LETTERS, pg. 8
Uninvited silence and understanding importance of words
By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist
Joe Biden is my hero.
Contrary to what may first enter your mind, this is not a political statement. I’m not sure who won the debate last week, or who will become president in less than a week -- but, I know personal courage when I see it.
As a child, Joe Biden was what has been described as a serious stutterer, and suffered as his schoolmates teased and bullied. He lived the fear of that day in English class when oral book reports were due and the sleepless nights that preceded, or the disappointing look from a teacher who equated a stutter with stupidity.
He felt the sting of the chuckles when simple introductions in class became a source of endless anxiety, or attempting to answer an easy question using only the limited volume of words that came out easily.
And, somehow through all the indignities that accompany individuals who have a speech impediment like stuttering, he chose to not only endure, but over-achieve. That might seem like ambition to some, but, to me, it’s a badge of courage displayed by the few who decide to live and achieve despite the uncomfortable situations or disabilities. To the contrary, Biden placed himself in the fray, and fought through speeches and public appearances that might have intimidated many with the good fortune of perfect speech.
During the recent debate, I sat with nervous anticipation as I noticed Biden’s stutter become more noticeable than in past performances. I stumbled over the words with him, and noted each time a word was changed at the last possible second to avoid a stutter.
I suppose only a few could realize the difficulty in answering a difficult question while also juggling a selection of “usable” words. Somehow, it always leaves one robbed or shortchanged of an opportunity to say more, if only the words could have arrived more easily.
So, how do I know so much about the intricacies of stuttering and how it can affect what seems like simple communication to most of the population?
Years ago, I was asked to speak at a support group for stutterers. As I visited with the attendees before the event, I was amazed at the cross-section of America represented by these people who found solace among friends. In this one place, they were judged on who they were, and their thoughts were valuable, no longer how long it took to express them.
I spoke with doctors, lawyers and other professionals as well as deliverymen, plumbers and IT specialists. Some told me that their careers mirrored their desire to perform tasks that required a minimum of oral communication or explanation.
Others seemed to have selected careers that challenged their speech limitations, purposely accepting careers that required constant interaction and speech.
All had suffered the same indignities I described above, and the shared suffering was somewhat the tie that bound this unlikely band of brothers. It was a unique experience just being in an environment where jokes with delayed punch lines were appreciated, and moments of strained silence were approached with patience and understanding.
As the time approached for the event to begin, I felt some very familiar emotions brewing in my mind, and I immediately rushed through a mental checklist of preventative measures. I thought briefly of those horrifying oral book reports, but there was no time to dwell on the unpleasantness.
I slowly walked to a podium, carefully timing my arrival with the first words of my comments.
“I am a stutterer and you are my heroes,” I said with words that emerged without a hint of hesitation.
So, as Joe Biden spoke to millions of Americans in what would have a difficult forum for any former or current stutterer, he placed himself in glorified air in my mind.
Voters decided who won the debate, and who knows how the election evolved, but Joe Biden’s words represented a victory for the millions of Americans who suffer through uninvited silence, and reminds us all that all words are important.
COVID
Continued from pg. 6 however, I don’t know if this is always the case. And if you test patients later during infection viral load starts to fall and becomes undetectable, at this point you may still be infected,
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but not infectious.”
In my case, let’s say there were 6,000 copies per milliliter of virus in my sample. I would definitely be COVID-positive, but my test result will be just as “Not Detected” as if I had zero copies per milliliter in my sample.
So, if you find yourself in that situation, what should you do?
Here’s what the LabCorp
LETTERS
Continued from pg. 6 show up in the denominator in cash proffer calculations, Hickory Grove’s cash proffers are sharply reduced to less than 1% of the estimated $33.2 million cost for permanent Route 54/Exit 92 road improvements.
East Ashland traffic is out, then East Ashland traffic is in. Contradictory and irreconcilable assumptions.
How can this be? What is the principle? emergency-use authorization documentation says:
“Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. Negative results must be combined with clinical observations, patient history, and epidemiological information.”
Emily Goldberg, a spokesman for LabCorp, put it this
No principle. The developer and the county staff have acted arbitrarily and capriciously to produce minimal proffers.
The bottom line for Hickory Grove is a $302,200 cash payment and a temporary traffic signal on a wooden pole. Hanover taxpayers are crucified.
Hickory Grove is a mixed abuse project. Abusive development must be rejected by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Bob Nelson Mechanicsville way:
“A positive result is considered definitive evidence of infection with COVID-19. However, a result of negative does not definitively rule out infection with COVID-19.”
In other words, if you’ve been exposed, or even worse, have symptoms – BE CAREFUL!
I possibly had a recent
see COVID, pg. 9
Resident: Keep pristine setting in Ashland area
Three years ago, my wife and I “escaped” our neighborhood north of Denver and moved to the Providence housing development adjacent to Providence Church Road and East Patrick Henry Road.
When we first moved to Colorado, our quiet neighborhood was adjacent to a twolane road. Our county subse-
see LETTERS, pg. 9
Christmas Mother donations start arriving
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
DOSWELL -- The Hanover Christmas Mother would like to thank the following for their generous donations: Beverly W. Alexander; Atlee Ruritan Club; Anne J. Bales; J. Basinger; David F. Beazley; Phyllis Bishop; Joseph N. Black.
Janet Brackett; David and Deborah Brooks; Randall and Elsa Brooks; Harold Brown; Jill Brown; Waverly Bugg; Randy Burcham; Dr. Arthur Burke Jr.; Arthur Campbell; Robert and Mary Ann Campbell.
David and Barbara Camper; Albert Christiansen; John and Eloise Cobb; Mr. and Mrs. V.S. Cook; S. Cooley, in memory of Broaddus and Rusty Norment; Faye Coppage; Douglas J. Cumins; Claude B. Daniels.
Alan and Patricia Davis; William Davis; Joanne Diana; Duffy’s Repair Service; Alex Durham; Betty Elmore; Farrington Ruritan Club; Martha Fearnow; Martha and George Paul Flint.
Virginia and Tom Foster; Kathleen and Donald R. Garstang Sr. ; Richard D. Goodman; Louise Gordon; Margaret and Norman B. Graham Jr.; Lois Grissom; M.A. Gwaltney; Barbara D. Haney; John and Nancy Hart.
Sally T. Hart; Carolyn Horner; Barbara Hultz; Hutcheson & Company; Benjamin W. Hutcheson; Charles and Mary Hutcheson; Independence Christian Church Friendship Class; Jerry and Melissa Jarvis.
Jennings Appliance; Charles A. and Betsey L. Johnson; Johnson & Johnson Attorney at Law; Gordon and Charlotte Johnson; Marion R. Jones; Irv Keayon; Kroger Stores; Wilbur and Ann Lawrence; Donna Lewis.
Loving’s Auto Body; E.J. Luck; Glenn and Kathy Martin; McCaul, Martin, Evans & Cook; David and Julie May; C.Q. and Brenda Meadows, in honor of Melanie Goodpasture; Gay and Roger Mitchell; Jane Mitchell.
Geneva and Otho Mitterer; Betty Moore; Wayne and Shirley Morris; Capt. and Mrs. Milton Outten; Jethro H. Piland Jr. ; Judy and Herbert Pond; R.F. Priddy; The RECO Foundation; Janet Reid; Fran Sadler.
Ann H. Scott; Fred F. Small; Jay and
see CHRISTMAS, pg. 13
PLUMBING,HEATING&COOLING
“YourHomeisMyBusiness”
P.O.Box67 Powhatan,VA23139 bruce@thehousegeek.com www.thehousegeek.com
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BruceBlackwell
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COVID
Continued from pg. 8 close contact – kind of a two degrees of Kevin Bacon thing that I initially overlooked.
Likewise, I had symptoms (and still do as I write this). I had some symptoms typically found with a cold, but not the flu.
I had some symptoms typically found with the flu, but not a cold. All of the symptoms are common with
LETTERS
Continued from pg. 8 quently allowed a “small” zoning change to allow a “small” office building.
A few years later, the road was expanded to six lanes, supporting numerous retail centers and other commercial properties -- just like Short Pump.
And now, we see this same story may unfold here in Ashland. After several Hanover County Planning Commission meetings, we were encouraged to convince three of seven members to vote no at the Oct. 15 planning meeting to allow the Hickory Hill II rezoning. COVID-19. I also had some weird ones that have been reported in folks with COVID like foul-smelling urine. (I have that asparagus thing, so I can recognize when something is “off.”)
In my case, the smart play is to assume I am positive and do all the things I’m supposed to do to avoid spreading COVID to others: isolate, wear a mask when I can’t, wash my hands, cover up
At that meeting, there was a line of residents with two petitions signed by more than 50 people urging a “No” vote, but the commission wants more commercial business.
The residential aspect of this application doesn’t bother residents, but the commercial side can only bring “commercial” blight to our area on top of 7,120-vehicle visits per day of additional traffic.
Although what’s “in the mix” for what those commercial enterprises will be, at present it includes a 2,800 square feet fast-food restaurant, 5,600 square feet convenience store with 16 fueling station gas station, and two my coughs, be careful about touching my face and surfaces around the house, etc. I’ve been trying to be a good boy. I’m not perfect, but the effort is there.
I would prefer to see more of our fellow residents taking this more seriously. Instead, I see far too many people refusing to wear masks, not respecting other folks’ social distance, and – at least the last time I was in a public restroom
restaurants of 4,000 square feet and 7,000 square feet, respectively.
And not more than one mile away are numerous similar businesses across Interstate 95 with many vacant store or office spaces.
And the traffic impact is a minimum number and does not include the future “East Ashland” project.
As the director of planning said, this “mix-use” rule is a guide, it’s not a law. Let’s just go with residential alone and save our pristine rural setting on Route 54 between Ashland and Hanover. John Denler Ashland – refusing to wash their hands. (Guys, grow up!) I hear a lot of folks shouting “Freedom!” and “Rights!” but few discussing “responsibility.” But it’s long past time to be responsible. Lives – including mine – depend on it.
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